‘One Piece’ Actress Emily Rudd Was Once a Disney Princess

Before playing Nami, the Straw Hats’ skilled navigator on Netflix’s live-action One Piece, Emily Rudd was charting a course for the “second star to the right and straight on ’til morning.” She was once a Disney theme park princess. In pictures that recently resurfaced online, the young actress is shown in costume as Wendy Darling in the Disney Parks.

Just found out that Emily rudd was an actress at a disney Park, she looks so cute 😭 pic.twitter.com/Q8RuN7lfFc

— 💀 (@kingDluffy23) March 27, 2026

While not tagged as Wendy, users online were quick to identify her character. Calling her “cute,” the images have stirred up nostalgia and a new element of appreciation for Rudd.

From the Midwest to the High Seas

Originally from the Midwest, Rudd reportedly began her career as a model in her hometown before transitioning to acting and moving to Los Angeles. The exact length of time she performed as a Disney princess at the theme park is unclear. She also appeared in the 2016 music video for Let Me Love You, a collaboration between Justin Bieber and DJ Snake.

The Straw Har Crew in One Piece Season 2 – Netflix

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Emily Rudd eventually made a dramatic shift from Disney princess to horror movie actress. In 2021, she appeared in three Netflix projects: Fear Street Part One: 1994, Part Two: 1978, and Part Three: 1666. The streaming films received moderately positive reviews on the user review platform Criticless.

That exposure may have put her on Netflix’s radar, eventually leading to her role in One Piece.

One Piece

In interviews, Emily Rudd hasn’t described herself as a Disney princess so much as a geek. She grew up loving anime like Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon, and Spirited Away. As Nami, she has dived deep into the source material for One Piece. With over 1,100 episodes and more than 500 million manga copies sold, there is certainly no shortage of material to explore.

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The live-action One Piece adaptation has gone on to become a massive hit for Netflix. A third season is already in production. Additionally, the franchise has become a shared cultural moment. A One Piece live stunt show will be a major feature of Universal Studios Hollywood’s 2026 Fan Fest Nights event.

Character Work

Emily Rudd’s journey—from aspiring actress to Disney theme park princess to lead in a major streaming series—adds a compelling behind-the-scenes dimension to the show. Fans may enjoy the fun trivia of her Disney past, but it also reflects the skills she honed early on—stage presence, audience engagement, and the ability to inhabit a character fully. These foundations, combined with her love for anime and commitment to understanding One Piece, show how her career has been shaped by passion as much as opportunity.

The Straw Hat Pirates in a One Piece Season 2 promo image – Netflix

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For viewers, knowing this backstory adds a layer of connection, making each episode feel a little more personal—and every adventure with the Straw Hat Pirates a little more magical. It also serves as an inspiring reminder that careers can take unexpected turns, and even the most playful beginnings—like performing as a Disney princess—can lead to major opportunities on a global stage. For fans of One Piece and of Emily Rudd alike, it’s a story worth celebrating.

In the world of entertainment, perhaps it’s truly a small world after all.

Did you know that Emily Rudd was a Disney princess? Let us know in the comments!

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