During a recent interview with CBS, Maitreyi opened up about her Netflix series coming to an end after four hilarious seasons and the dream project she'd love to do next.
Maitreyi revealed she would love to play Rapunzel and would welcome the idea of this Disney princess being South Asian.
"You know what'd be really cool? I've been saying this and I've been seeing other people saying this. I think Rapunzel should be a South Asian girl," Maitreyi told CBS.
"Because hear me out, no one knows what it feels like to be trapped in your room, not able to go out because your mother is telling you no, without giving you an actual proper reason, like brown girls do."
But this wasn't some random thought that popped into her head. Maitreyi has been manifesting this role for a long time now, speaking openly about it in other interviews and online.
I’ve made it like really clear that like Rapunzel IS my dream role… right? Like we know this… right????☀️💜
But Maitreyi also considered the "pressure" she's under while being a figure of representation for South Asian girls.
"Of course, there are some people who are in Hollywood — like Hasan Minhaj, Mindy Kaling — but when you're looking for South Asian females and then young South Asian females the number [gets smaller and smaller]."
"So there is a lot of pressure from that representation, but I'm very thankful and privileged to be in this position," she concluded.
And like most casting news when a non-white actor is considering taking on the role of a white, animated fictional character, it was met with mixed responses:
I would like to see that adaptation. Anyone should have an opportunity to play a fairytale character.
Rapunzel is 💯 a brown girl cuz who else got hair that long and thick?? AND she is not allowed to a leave a tower cuz her mother said so? She desi!!!!! https://t.co/G6x75qrLyn
Honestly this would be such a perfect take on tangled! This would be so relatable for Middle Eastern and South Asian girls. Being locked up in your own room, crowded by responsibilities and restrictions, simply because you are a daughter. Overbearing parents, who aren’t ready-
Well, I would love to see this adaptation happen! There are so many fun ways that Disney can spin this retelling. Would you like to see Maitreyi play Rapunzel? Tell us who else you'd cast in the film.
