The Encanto director debunked a popular theory about Mirabel ruining her gift ceremony, but the movie may have hinted all along that it wasn't true. Though several of the Madrigals get magical powers, Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz) doesn't receive a supernatural ability during the night of her gift ceremony. Mirabel's lack of magical gifts is a mystery in Encanto, but one popular fan theory claimed to know the answer. According to the theory, Mirabel sabotaged her own gift accidentally during her ceremony. After touching a magical candle, Mirabel wipes her hands on her clothes, and fans speculated that this was the reason the young Madrigal didn't get powers.

One of the Encanto directors recently debunked the Mirabel theory. Responding to a fan about the hand-wiping theory on Twitter, Jared Bush seemed to discredit the thought of Mirabel accidentally sabotaging her own gift. "Nope," the director said, adding, "I always read it as a character specific mannerism." However, the director seemed to enjoy the theory as well. Bush said, "Love that so many people are diving into all of the mysteries though!"

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Though Bush seemed to put the theory that Mirabel sabotaged her gift to rest, the movie may have also debunked it long ago. According to Bush, Mirabel's hand-wiping scene was just a "character specific mannerism." And the movie apparently supports that. During Mirabel's first encounter in the film with her Uncle Bruno (John Leguizamo), he saves her from falling into a supposed chasm by grabbing her hand at the last second. After catching her hand, Bruno says, "You're very sweaty." If Mirabel is regularly sweaty, that could be a valid reason to wipe her hands.

Encantos Huge Debunked Mirabel Theory Makes Her Lack Of Powers Better

The idea of Mirabel sabotaging her own gift was always somewhat of a reach. However, with the directors leaving the specific reason why Mirabel didn't get a gift a secret, viewers should be expected to grasp onto any possible explanations that they can. Mirabel's hand-wiping in Encanto was one of the most significant differences between her gifting ceremony and Antonio's (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), which was the only other gifting ceremony shown. With the hand-wiping moment standing out, the theory that Mirabel sabotaged her own gift makes sense. However, it clearly wasn't correct in the end. And Mirabel's sweaty hands seem to support that.

Still, the director's appreciation for the theory is notable. Without answers for many of Encanto's lingering questions, fans have come up with all kinds of ideas to explain the mysteries. For instance, some theories speculate that Abuelo Pedro's soul powers the magical house in Encanto. Other theories indicate that some Madrigals secretly knew Bruno was hiding in the house's walls, and they may have been helping him the entire time. With so many wild theories about even the smallest of details (such as Mirabel wiping her hands), it's evident that the majority of Madrigal theories are probably wrong. However, the sheer number of Encanto theories shows how much viewers appreciate the film, and the fact that the director encourages those ideas is a gift for the audience.

More: Encanto: One Madrigal Likely Knew Bruno Was Hiding, And It’s Not Dolores