Wait, did JoJo Siwa actually almost become Rapunzel? If you’ve been anywhere near the Disney side of the internet lately, you’ve probably seen the chaos. It’s one of those things that sounds like a fever dream until you see the footage.
Honestly, the JoJo Siwa Tangled audition is a masterclass in how a single minute of video can set the entire world on fire. It wasn't just a rumor. It was a real, filmed, flower-in-hair performance that leaked at the exact moment Disney was rethinking its entire live-action strategy.
The Tape That "Wasn't Supposed to Exist"
Here is the deal. In April 2025, a video hit social media that nobody expected. It was JoJo—hair braided, extensions in, flowers tucked into the blonde locks—reading a scene from Tangled. She wasn't playing herself. She was playing Rapunzel.
The scene was the one where Rapunzel confronts Flynn Rider about being a thief. You know the one. "Is your mother proud of that?" she asks with a specific kind of sass that felt... very JoJo.
But here’s the kicker: she didn't actually mean to post it. Or did she?
The video was originally shared by her mother, Jessalynn Siwa, while JoJo was busy filming Celebrity Big Brother in the UK. Jessalynn basically pulled the ultimate "proud mom" move and posted the private tape to TikTok. It racked up 2 million views in a heartbeat before being scrubbed from the internet.
Naturally, the internet kept receipts.
Why was she even auditioning?
Disney had been quietly developing a live-action Tangled for years. This wasn't just a fan-casting. Siwa was one of many stars who "threw their name into the ring," as the industry says. While names like Florence Pugh and Sabrina Carpenter were being whispered in every corner of Reddit, JoJo actually went into the "room"—or at least the virtual one—and put the work in.
Breaking Down the JoJo Siwa Tangled Audition Tape
If you watch the clip, it’s a trip. There is a male voice off-camera reading Flynn’s lines. JoJo is wearing a purple-ish top, clearly trying to evoke the animated character’s color palette.
Critics were... loud. Some people loved the energy. They thought her natural bubbliness matched the girl-locked-in-a-tower vibe. Others? Not so much. Professional acting coaches on YouTube started dissecting it immediately.
One major critique was what they called "forgetting the taxi." Basically, the idea that she was making faces while speaking but "dropped" the character the second it was the other person's turn to talk.
"It felt less like Rapunzel and more like JoJo Siwa in a Rapunzel costume." — Common sentiment across X (formerly Twitter) in late 2025.
The acting was high-energy, maybe a bit too high for a live-action film that usually aims for more grounded performances. Think about the difference between a Nickelodeon sitcom and a massive Disney blockbuster. There’s a gap there.
Who Actually Got the Part?
Let’s set the record straight because as of January 2026, the mystery is over. JoJo Siwa is not Rapunzel.
Disney finally announced on January 7, 2026, that Teagan Croft (from Titans and True Spirit) would lead the film. Starring alongside her as Flynn Rider is Milo Manheim, the Disney Zombies veteran.
The Finalists
JoJo wasn't the only one who missed out. The casting process was an absolute gauntlet. Several actresses actually flew to London for screen tests before Croft was picked:
- Freya Skye (from Zombies 4)
- Sarah Catherine Hook (known for The White Lotus)
- Olivia-Mai Barrett The fact that JoJo’s tape leaked made it seem like she was a frontrunner, but in reality, the studio was looking for a very specific "theater-trained" feel that Croft eventually brought to the table.
The "Epcot" Factor and the Rebrand
Why didn't Disney go for the massive star power of JoJo? You have to look at the timing.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, JoJo was in the middle of a massive, somewhat "messy" rebrand. Between the "Karma" era and some viral videos of her being a bit rowdy at Epcot, her public image was shifting away from the squeaky-clean "Disney Princess" archetype.
Disney is protective. Very protective.
When the JoJo Siwa Tangled audition video surfaced, it came at a time when fans were already polarized. Some argued her presence would be a distraction. They wanted a Rapunzel they could believe in, not a celebrity they already knew from Dance Moms.
A Change of Heart (and Name)
Interestingly, as of late 2025, JoJo has been transitioning to her birth name, Joelle Siwa. She’s moving into more adult roles, like the horror film AMFAD: All My Friends Are Dead.
Missing out on Tangled might have actually been the best thing for her "Joelle" era. It allows her to step away from the neon-and-sparkles shadow and try to find a new lane in Hollywood that isn't tied to a tiara.
What This Means for Future Disney Auditions
The leak changed how we see the casting process. Usually, these tapes are locked in a vault. Seeing a star of her caliber "vulnerable" (her words) in an audition tape reminded everyone that even with 46 million followers, you still have to prove you can do the work.
She admitted later on a podcast that she "wanted to rip her mom's neck off" for posting it, but she eventually leaned into it. She told her fans she did three versions of the audition:
- Pure Rapunzel: Staying true to the original.
- The "JoJo" Flare: Adding her own personality.
- Going Rogue: A version that was completely different.
We likely saw the "Pure" version. We can only imagine what the "Rogue" version looked like.
Moving Forward with the Live-Action Remake
With filming set to begin in June 2026, the Tangled conversation has moved past the audition tapes. Director Michael Gracey (who did The Greatest Showman) is reportedly leaning into a heavy musical theater vibe.
If you're still looking for the JoJo tape, it’s mostly found in "reaction" videos and re-uploads now. It’s a piece of pop culture history—a glimpse into what might have been one of the most controversial casting choices in Disney history.
For those wanting to follow the actual production:
- Follow Teagan Croft for behind-the-scenes training (she’s already teased her singing lessons).
- Watch for Milo Manheim’s Flynn Rider hair updates (the smolder is mandatory).
- Ignore the fake posters on Facebook; the official ones won't be out until late 2026.
The JoJo audition wasn't a failure; it was just a mismatch of timing and tone. She’s onto her "Joelle" chapter, and Disney has its Rapunzel. Everybody wins, even if we didn't get the "Karma" version of a Disney Princess.
To keep up with the actual production of the film, you can track official updates through Disney’s press room or major trade publications like The Hollywood Reporter, as they’ve been the most reliable sources for the project’s "pause" and subsequent "restart" in 2026.