January 8, 2026 — 12:56pm
The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Disney’s Tangled has finally found its Rapunzel, and she’s Australian. Teagan Croft, a 21-year-old rising star from Sydney, will let down her golden locks in the upcoming version of the 2010 hit. She reportedly beat out other blossoming actresses such as The White Lotus star Sarah Catherine Hook, Olivia-Mai Barrett from Invasion, and Freya Skye from Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires.
Joining Croft on this adventure will be Milo Manheim, an American actor best known for his role in the Disney musical franchise Zombies. He’ll take on the role of Flynn Rider, a charming thief who helps Rapunzel escape from her tower imprisonment. Both young stars have big shoes to fill, having assumed roles previously held by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi. They will be directed by Michael Gracey, known for musicals like Better Man and The Greatest Showman.
The Legacy of ‘Tangled’
The announcement comes as Tangled remains a beloved part of Disney’s filmography. Released in 2010, the original animated film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $865 million globally. It was considered a vital part of Disney’s second renaissance, contributing to the studio’s resurgence in animated storytelling.
With the live-action remake trend showing no signs of slowing down, Tangled is poised to follow in the footsteps of other successful adaptations. The remake of Lilo & Stitch famously grossed over $1 billion last year, setting high expectations for Croft’s debut as Rapunzel.
Who is Teagan Croft?
Born in Sydney in 2004, Teagan Croft began acting early. At the age of nine, she impressed audiences with her performance as Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird at Sydney’s New Theatre. Critics at the time described her as a “revelation.”
In 2016, Croft took on the recurring role of Bella Loneragan in Home and Away – a staple show for many rising Aussie stars – and also featured in the science-fiction film The Osiris Child. That same year, Croft and her family relocated to Chicago, Illinois, where she was signed to a US management firm. The family returned to Australia in 2021, and Croft continued to act while taking remote lessons at Sydney Girls’ High School.
Her “big break” arguably came in 2018 when she was cast as White Raven (otherwise known as Rachel Roth) in the popular DC Universe and HBO Max series Titans. The show ran until 2023. That year, Croft took the role of Jessica Watson in the Australian film True Spirit, about the 16-year-old Australian sailor who attempted to circumnavigate the world solo in 2010.
Teagan Croft’s Acting Philosophy
While speaking with fashion magazine RUSSH in April last year, Croft shared her passion for acting. “That energy is transferable. It’s palpable. It’s shareable,” she said, describing how the excitement of making movies fuels her performances. Each time she embodies a character, her main goal is to “make people feel against their will.”
She finds particular joy in roles with a rich background, stating, “What’s fun about existing IP is that there’s a weight off your shoulders. I find it more fun to dig into rather than to build from the ground up.” This approach will undoubtedly aid her portrayal of Rapunzel, a character with a well-established legacy.
Looking Ahead
Though Croft hasn’t publicly responded to her Tangled casting yet, she potentially hinted at it via Instagram last week, posting a photo with the caption, “Super grateful for 2025 just trust me it was fye [for your entertainment].” She also recently shared a TikTok of herself lip-synching to Lost in the Woods from Frozen 2, potentially teasing her new Disney partnership.
As the film enters production, anticipation builds for Croft’s performance. With her background and passion for storytelling, she is well-positioned to bring a fresh yet faithful interpretation of Rapunzel to audiences worldwide.
