Disney’s canceled live-action remake of Tangled saw an audition from a supermodel for Rapunzel, according to a new interview. The remake of the beloved 2010 animated fairy tale was confirmed to be in development in December 2024, with The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey attached and Thor: Love and Thunder writer Jennifer Kaytin Robinson onboard for the screenplay.

However, the upcoming project hit the brakes in early 2025, following the commercial and critical underperformance of Disney’s Snow White remake, with the studio reportedly pausing development on Tangled‘s live-action remake indefinitely. While the film was not formally canceled, its future remains uncertain amid Disney’s reᴀssessment of the currently scheduled remake projects.

Now, in an interview with Vogue, supermodel Gigi Hadid has revealed that she auditioned for the role of Rapunzel in Disney’s live-action Tangled and even took singing lessons during Fashion Month to prepare. Although Hadid said that “[she] was really proud of [her] scene,” she then stated: “I knew they were going to go with a real singer.“

What This Means For Live-Action Tangled

The fact that Gigi Hadid, who is primarily known for her modeling, auditioned for the lead in Tangled confirms that Disney’s live-action remake had entered a meaningful stage of development before it was placed on hold. The studio was clearly deep enough into casting to consider major names for Rapunzel, suggesting they were aiming for star power alongside the usual requirements.

Although it hasn’t been officially canceled, it’s unclear when — or if — Tangled will move ahead, and whether the original creative vision (including possible talent like Hadid or Corey Mylchreest as Flynn Rider) will remain intact. Gigi’s audition offers a brief look at what could have been, but for now, the remake joins a growing list of Disney projects in limbo.

Our Take On Gigi Hadid’s Tangled Audition

Casting Gigi Hadid as Tangled‘s Rapunzel would have been an unconventional choice, but not necessarily a bad one. While she isn’t known for acting or singing, Hadid’s willingness to dive into vocal training and prepare a serious audition shows commitment, suggesting she was aware of the scrutiny that would come with such a high-profile acting role.

However, Rapunzel is more than appearance, and Gigi even admitted they’d likely go with a “real singer.“ Whether she would have succeeded is impossible to say, but her audition signals an intriguing direction for her career. Furthermore, if the live-action Tangled ever moves forward again, it’ll be interesting to see whether Disney opts for a traditional casting or someone new.