Every morning we get up and think to ourselves, “What should I do first?” There are choices like cooking breakfast, taking a shower, and getting ready for work. If you are Rapunzel, then she would do her best to look after the tower she resided in to gain the affections of Mother Gothel. Even though she seems content with all the chores she does, she wonders when her life will begin. As a Disney Princess, Rapunzel has set the standard to truly stand out from the others that were created before her.
Rapunzel is a popular Disney Princess due to her curious nature, bravery, kindness, and adventurous personality. She has the same spirit as Ariel, but unlike the redhead, Rapunzel is more diligent. Her movie Tangled is a wild adventure about her wanting to leave the tower for just one day so she can see where the lights are coming from. She would encounter Flynn Rider, a man on the run who so happens to be charming. Together, he would escort her so she can see the lights up close.
There are a lot of facts about Rapunzel that makes her a unique Disney Princess and we absolutely love her for it. In fact, some facts about her can be connected to other Disney characters which confirms that the universe she lives in is connected with others. How can she even manage to deal with that amount of hair? Let’s take a look at some facts about the beautiful Princess Rapunzel.
25 Nice Cameo!
Disney just loves to put in cameos for characters in their movies. Whether they are Easter eggs that referenced said characters or actually have them show up in person makes us gasp with joy. One example we can think of is an obvious Scar skin from The Lion King that appeared in Hercules. Disney was not even trying to pull our strings!
Tangled is fortunate enough to have two cameos appear in Disney’s highest grossing animated film of all time, Frozen. Once Anna starts singing “For the First Time in Forever,” the second she got out of the gates and entered outside was when she saw the many guests coming to Elsa’s coronation.
The cameos were none other than Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.
They might have appeared for about a second, but when fans caught them, they were ecstatic to see characters from another Disney movie crossover with another movie. Seeing Rapunzel and Flynn arrive in Arendelle was one of Frozen’s most exciting moments. It has left to a lot of ideas as to how the Disney movies probably take place in the same universe just like Pixar’s movies. Fortunate for us, it would not be the last time we would see Rapunzel make an appearance in another Disney movie.
24 Subtle Reference
Sometimes, you might witness that Disney will do their best to maintain their target demographic by using modern-day catchphrases or include something in the movie that would not have occurred until many years later after their time. It can work or backfire big time. References are usually there to make connections to the subject of what is going on at the moment.
Speaking of references, isn’t just hilarious at how some of the characters can quote something that has to do with the people that voiced them? In the scene where Rapunzel healed Flynn’s injury with her hair and song, the latter’s reaction was that of shock and confusion. Before he could say something, Rapunzel quickly said, “Please don’t freak out!”
That line is actually a reference to Flynn Rider’s voice actor. Portrayed by the lovely and talented Zachary Levi, he was in the TV show called Chuck and his character is known to say that line as a catchphrase. References to other shows that the actors were involved in are a clever way to subtly recognize their own work before Tangled. It could have been a coincidence, but we like to think that this is clearly a reference to Zachary’s previous work.
23 Multi-Talented
Even though we felt bad for Rapunzel having to live in the tall tower with the villainess Mother Gothel, there were some positive things to come out of the lost princess’s time living there. Rapunzel is a dedicated and loyal daughter as seen at the beginning of the movie with doing chores around the place while Mother Gothel is away. Other than being responsible, Rapunzel also became multi-talented in a number of activities.
She can play the guitar and make pottery. She is also fantastic in painting. Just looking at the scenes she created shows how much time she had to master her craft. Not to mention, dealing with that much hair is a huge feat for someone like her. Rapunzel could even use her talents to help around the town of Corona now that she is back home with her family.
Her singing is also very beautiful. Of course, every Disney Princess, except for Merida, has to have a singing voice since they are in musicals from their respective movies. It is possible that Rapunzel might as well be the most talented Disney Princess to date due to how many years she has worked while being locked in a tower for her eighteen years of living.
22 Clever Foreshadowing
Rapunzel’s design is simple, but with the addition of her long, blonde hair, it helps her stand out. Her dress is cute and matches her skin tone, eye color, and hair color. Speaking of her dress, the color is actually one of the important aesthetics of Rapunzel’s design. The color purple is important because as the audience, we know that she is of royalty.
The color purple is usually represented as royalty.
Since Rapunzel is the lost princess of Corona, having the color purple not only fits well with her design, but it emphasizes how she is of royalty. One of the best moments in Tangled is when Rapunzel is in Corona and discovers a mural of the king and queen of the island with a baby girl. Seeing her parents and herself as an infant show us that she is about to find out she is the lost princess.
What’s interesting to note is that Rapunzel only wears purple in the movie. Originally, she was going to have a red, then pink dress until it was finalized to purple. While she would have looked good in any color, having Rapunzel in purple will always be one of her recognizable trademarks.
21 The First To Appear 3D
The transition from 2D to 3D is huge. While we do love our classic Disney films that were made in 2D animation, the next generation of animation is also just as beautiful. They might be more expensive, but the visuals are breathtaking. Disney might have made some 3D films way back before Tangled, but most of them were either forgettable or terrible or both. Once 2010 came, we were introduced to the beautifully animated Tangled.
Rapunzel is the first Disney Princess to appear in 3D with the last being Tiana from The Princess and the Frog. With technology improving every day, computer animation has been a common way to make animated movies at a convenient time. Seeing the movie being made into incredible heights show how much technology has advanced.
Plus, the reason why Tangled did a lot better than The Princess and the Frog was that of the use of 3D animation. The visuals are gorgeous, the animation is stronger, and the effects look a lot better thanks to 3D. It still could have been interesting to see what Rapunzel and the other characters would look like in 2D animation, but apparently, we have gotten something along the way years later.
20 Her Favorite Treat
You know it’s awesome when fans would create stuff that only exists in fiction. There might be something truly unique about a specific item that could become a phenomenon. Other than making amazing movies for us to watch over and over, Disney has also managed to create dishes that would make their way into the real world. After all, Beauty and the Beast popularized the “Grey Stuff” that Lumiere gave Belle to taste in the song “Be Our Guest.” In 2010, Disney has done it again with the Hazelnut Soup that Mother Gothel is a master of making for Rapunzel.
There are a lot of recipes for Rapunzel’s favorite food from Mother Gothel. It depends on how you want to approach the recipe. For this entry, we would recommend the recipe created by the YouTube channel Feast of Fiction. Jim and Ash also fit into the theme with cosplaying as Flynn Rider and Mother Gothel respectively.
The food might sound a bit off by the name, but sometimes it might be unexpectedly delicious. If someone were to have a Tangled themed wedding, the Hazelnut Soup would be a perfect addition to the reception. If you have tried Rapunzel’s favorite food, then what did you think of it? Is it delicious, or something that doesn’t sit well with you?
19 Could It Be Possible?
For this entry, it is more of a speculation. Rapunzel’s hair has its wonders and has been used plenty of times for good and bad intentions. Ever since her mother got sick and drank the liquid to save her from sickness, Rapunzel was born and gained blonde hair from the magical flower. The flower came from a drop of sunlight, which is the resource of being able to heal anything.
In order for Mother Gothel to use the flower’s effects to stay young and beautiful, she steals Rapunzel and makes her hair grow longer and longer as she gets older. A song is also crucial since it is how the effects of the flower take effect. But as the events of the movie unfold, we noticed something at the end of Tangled and its short Tangled Ever After.
Have you noticed that Rapunzel’s mother, Queen Arianna, hasn’t aged at all?
King Frederic, Rapunzel’s father, has been shown to age in the short. While we do not know the exact ages of Rapunzel’s parents, the mother still looking youthful the day she gave birth to Rapunzel has led to some interesting theories. The magic flower might cause both Rapunzel and her mother to be youthful forever. Even though Rapunzel got her hair cut off, she still retained some of her power from saving Flynn, so she is more than likely able to live for a long time.
18 Shining Like Emeralds
One of Rapunzel’s identifiable traits would have to be her green eyes. They compliment her design so well and they are absolutely pretty to look at. Depending on her mood, those eyes can certainly sparkle in a unique kind of shine. While it is nice to look at, would you believe that Rapunzel is actually the only Disney Princess with green eyes? Most of the Disney Princesses have either brown or blue eyes, so it is nice to see a princess who has green eyes. Anna from Frozen’s eyes almost look green, but they are more of a blue shade.
Some say that those with green eyes have an appreciation for nature and Rapunzel has been shown to enjoy the outside world once she stepped afoot. It is also stated that people with green eyes have a creative and positive outlook on life, so the 10th Disney Princess fills that role perfectly as well. Still, it is crazy how it took nearly eighty years for Disney to create a princess with green eyes while hair color has a lot of variety.
Will we see more Disney Princesses with green eyes? We sure hope so, since we do not want Rapunzel to be left out in that department.
17 A Cameo Yet Again!
Again, Disney does it with the cameos! Out of the top of your head, how many Disney Princesses do you think have made cameos in other movies? If the sequel to the hit Disney movie Wreck-it-Ralph had not occurred, then it would have to be a handful. Ever since the trailer for Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 arrived, we were given the opportunity to see all of the Disney Princesses including Rapunzel. That would mean every single Disney Princess were able to appear in a different movie from theirs, giving them some time to have some representation.
Rapunzel, along with Belle, asked Vanellope if she has been captured or enslaved, referencing how Mother Gothel and the Beast held them captive respectively in their movies. The Tangled princess also asked the young girl if she had magical hair and she was incredibly sassy at Vanellope. To confirm if she was a princess, Rapunzel asked her if a big strong man solved all her problems. It is kind of ironic to be asked that in today’s society, but to Rapunzel’s credit, Flynn is the reason she was able to be free and enjoy what she has been missing. This cameo shows Rapunzel at her best indeed.
16 An Interesting Trait
You can name a lot of things that make Rapunzel different among the Disney Princesses. Not only is she the first princess to have magical powers and green eyes, but up until the end of Tangled, Rapunzel has always been barefoot. Given, she was always up in the tower and never came out of it until Flynn showed up, but having no shoes helps her move a bit faster without having to be constrained from high heels.
Rapunzel’s voice actress, Mandy Moore, shares a trait with her.
Whenever Mandy performs, she usually prefers going barefoot just like Rapunzel. It’s one thing to have something in common with an animated character, but for Mandy to voice someone that shares something in common with Rapunzel is mindboggling at best. Another note is that Mandy also would change her hair from brown to blonde from time to time, just like how Rapunzel had blonde hair at first and then went back to brunette when Flynn cut her hair.
It is fun to know that actors who are attached to the characters they portray can end up having the same interests. It helps them connect with their character easier, thus bringing out an amazing performance.
15 Now That Is Something
If you were to name what makes Tangled such a fantastic movie, it would more than likely have to be the story. It has one of the best narratives and character progressions we have seen in a Disney movie ever since Beauty and the Beast. The characters are fun, the villain is great, and the plot is fantastic. Tangled could have been a top contender for a potential sequel, but with the reputation Disney had long ago, it might not have been so great.
However, Disney Channel was kind enough to give us a Tangled TV show, expanding the story and taking place after the events of the short Tangled Ever After. One of the interesting plot points in the show was how Rapunzel managed to get her trademark blonde hair back. With the help of mystical rocks, it helped grow her hair back to not only be indestructible but also could never be cut again.
Unfortunately, Rapunzel does not possess the healing powers she had in the movie, but her hair can act as a shield to protect her. So while she would not be able to take care of wounds, the fact that her hair came back stronger is what makes us happy for this princess.
14 A Determined Woman
There are a lot of qualities about Rapunzel that make her such a likable Disney Princess. Like Ariel, she is adventurous and full of spirit. Like Mulan, she is brave and cunning. And like Belle, she is smart and curious. And yet, Rapunzel has managed to still remain hopeful and optimistic about her dreams despite being stuck in a tower for most of her life. She might have been stolen like Belle, but the brunette made the choice to be in her father’s place while Rapunzel couldn’t help it since she was a baby.
It does make sense as to why she did not have any signs of Stockholm Syndrome and that is because she believed all her life that Mother Gothel was her birth mother. She saw her as the one who raised her and obeyed every command she would give her. Once Flynn arrived at the tower, Rapunzel’s life changed for the better. Getting to see Rapunzel experience the outside world is exhilarating and fun, so she has the perfect reaction to being outside for the first time in her life. Sometimes Mother Gothel might be a little bit manipulative, but for the most part, Rapunzel has always been optimistic about her dream of seeing the lights.
13 So Many Auditions
As we all know, Rapunzel is voiced by the lovely Mandy Moore, who has done a lot of films and singing throughout her career. She started off her music career with her debut single “Candy,” and since then, we have fallen in love with her voice. You might also know her as the main love interest in the Nicholas Sparks film A Walk to Remember. She is not exactly an A-list star, but Mandy has the talent of one and with her current project, This Is Us, she has been gaining critical acclaim for her role as Rebecca Pearson.
Even though we absolutely love Mandy for her performance as Rapunzel, she was not the first choice to become the long-haired magical princess. The original voice was going to be provided by Kristin Chenoweth under the direction of Glen Keane. Reese Witherspoon was also a choice Disney had made to be the voice of Rapunzel. Due to creative differences and whatnot, both actresses left the project, leaving Rapunzel uncast.
These two actresses would have been great choices, but to our surprise, there were a lot of other auditions from talented actresses that surprised us. Let’s just say that there were two women who would later appear in another Disney movie.
12 First Among The Family
Despite being minor characters, Rapunzel’s parents do play an important role, since the mother was close to losing her life to sickness. After Rapunzel was taken, the king ordered to have lanterns light up at night every year for Rapunzel’s birthday so that she can try to find her way home. The king and queen had no dialogue, so seeing their expressions were beyond powerful whenever they think about their daughter.
Biologically, the parents do come first, and then their child would come along the way after nine months. In this case, Rapunzel is the first to be made design-wise in the movie. It makes sense since the movie is focused around her trying to achieve her goals. Once Rapunzel’s design was complete, the parents were designed after her. After all, the parents do have to look like her in order to bear a resemblance.
Rapunzel’s parents appearing on screen captures the beauty of having a child brought into the world and then the raw reaction of losing her and worrying of what has happened to her. Seeing Rapunzel meeting her parents for the first time was one of the most bittersweet and happiest scenes in the movie, and we couldn’t help but cry happy tears.
11 That's A Lot Of Hair
Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair! Even though Flynn does not say those lines exactly, Rapunzel’s hair is what makes the fictional character memorable in fairy tales. It is incredibly long and can reach up to seventy feet, at least in Disney’s Tangled that is. So, imagine how difficult it must have been to animate that much hair in every shot Rapunzel is in. We bet you are wondering, how much strands of hair are on her head?
Get a load of this: Rapunzel’s hair consists of 100,000 strands.
With that amount of hair, it astounds us that she has a lot of it, let alone deals with it in a calm and collected manner. Once all of that hair got cut off, Rapunzel actually takes the record for having the shortest and longest hair of any Disney Princess, beating out Snow White in the former category. Then in the TV series, we witness Rapunzel getting her hair back to normal and this time, it cannot be cut ever again.
Throughout her years of growing out her hair, Rapunzel is certainly a professional when it comes to taking care of it, but just imagine how much shampoo she would use if she were to use it.
10 Artistic Wonder
Glen Keane is the talented man who helped bring many wonderful Disney movies to life. Starting with The Rescuers, Glen has become an icon who worked for Disney in so many years. One of his biggest achievements was being the executive producer, animation supervisor, and character designer in Tangled, especially for our lovely princess Rapunzel.
His involvement with this Disney Princess wasn’t just all on him alone, so he brought along some help.
Glen actually drew inspiration from Rapunzel from his daughter Claire. She wanted to paint her bedroom walls and aspired to become an artist. Once Glen began working on Tangled, his daughter became a successful artist. When it came to designing Rapunzel’s room, Glen knew who would be the perfect choice. He hired her to help create Rapunzel’s room and what we got a glimpse of is a masterful creation.
When his daughter gave birth to his first grandchild, Claire named her Matisse after the famous artist. Glen would use Matisse as inspiration for baby Rapunzel. Behind the scenes information like this warms our soul since Glen thought of his daughter’s dream and witnessing the birth of his granddaughter to create parts of the movie. Now that’s a loving father and grandfather.
9 What Big Eyes You Have
Even though cartoon characters are not proportioned realistically, that is what makes us remember them. Their appearances help stand out and differ a lot from art styles and live-action. Transitioning from hand-drawn animation to CG animation helps make the characters feel more vibrant and stand out.
At least up until Frozen came out, Rapunzel had the biggest eyes of all the Disney Princesses. This does sound like a silly fact, but when you compare them to Snow White’s eyes from 1937, it shows that technology has gotten better and Rapunzel would age gracefully for many years to come while Snow White is unfortunately outdated.
If you thought anime eyes were huge, then Rapunzel’s eyes would like to answer for you.
There is a good reason for Rapunzel’s eyes to be huge. Conveying emotion helps us connect with the characters, and their eyes tell us how they feel if they do not speak. Like with Rapunzel’s parents, their eyes and expressions tell us all we need to know about how they feel when they are missing her. That is also why you see non-human characters with huge eyes so that we can relate to them as if they are human. Exaggerated? Yes, but strangely necessary.
8 A Bit Mature
Disney is known to cater towards young kids, but even the animators and writers manage to sneak in some innuendos that adults can enjoy while their kids look at them in confusion. Tangled surprisingly does not have a lot of adult jokes to offer, but the story and characters are elements of the movie older fans can enjoy along with the younger fans. That said, Tangled is one of the few animated Disney films to be rated PG.
Older Disney movies could have easily been rated PG if the rating system was the same, such as Snow White and Pinocchio. Rapunzel’s movie can get intense with the violence, especially near the end of the movie where Mother Gothel meets her demise and Flynn gets attacked by the former. There was even one second of blood showing, indicating that it was a serious wound Flynn took.
Rapunzel certainly does not look like the type of princess to be in a PG-rated film due to her cute appearance, but once in a while, Disney tackling darker themes is not necessarily a bad thing. As of right now in 2018, Rapunzel is the only Disney Princess to be tied to a PG-rated movie.
7 Waiting For So Long
With the fact that Rapunzel’s movie Tangled is the first ever Disney Princess movie to be made in 3D, the Walt Disney Company has outdone themselves to create a masterpiece like this movie. Not only is it the most expensive animated film of all time, beating out other Disney and Pixar films, but the number of years put into this movie is outstanding.
During its first few years of development, the movie was originally going to be titled Rapunzel after the princess herself, but to maintain a gender-neutral demographic, the title was changed to Tangled. The movie itself has been in production for over six years, which is a very long time for a movie to be completed.
It all makes more sense when Rapunzel sings “When Will My Life Begin?”
With the movie aging nicely and still popular to this day, all the hard work put into Rapunzel’s movie is one of the best Disney has to offer for us fans and moviegoers. Thinking just how it took one-third of Rapunzel’s life for the movie to finish shows how much time flew by. If Tangled were to get a sequel, we hope that it won’t be as long to make.
6 A Strong Head
Ladies, do you wish to have your hair be as long as Rapunzel’s? Realistically, you will probably say no, but having long hair gives you all a sense of femininity and style. You can put it up however you like and fit your personality. Rapunzel’s hair is insanely long that it makes you wonder how her head can deal with that much weight.
Even though the animation does not show it, you will not believe how much it weighs. First off, we have to know that blonde hair like Rapunzel’s weighs less than any other hair color. Second, her hair is 70 feet long (which is a lot, we know). Then, you would add that Rapunzel has 100,000 strands as mentioned in the previous entry, and you will get the hair weighing at 10 pounds!
Not only is that a lot of hair, but Rapunzel has a lot of magic attached to her hair. Since it is a magical property, it can be concluded as to why Rapunzel does not have a hard time with doing things such as sweeping and painting. You have to give her props for having to deal with a lot of hair throughout her life.