Snow White, Rachel Zegler, and a Controversy That Won’t Fade

Rachel Zegler’s casting as Snow White has fueled an ongoing controversy, sparking debates over representation, Disney’s creative choices, and fan reactions. Despite time passing, discussions about the film, its direction, and Zegler’s comments continue to stir strong opinions, keeping the issue in the spotlight. The controversy shows no signs of fading as audiences remain divided.

Whether you support or oppose the new Snow White film, the controversy surrounding its lead actress, Rachel Zegler, is difficult to ignore.

At 23, Zegler has become the focal point of discussions about the movie, with some blaming her for its poor reception while others defend her, arguing that she has been unfairly targeted.

This debate is not new for Zegler.

Even before the film's release, she was at the center of controversy, facing criticism for her comments on the original movie and her political views, including remarks about former U.S. President Donald Trump and his supporters.

Supporters, however, expressed concern over the backlash against a young actress, highlighting the intense scrutiny she has faced.

Film critic Kelechi Ehenulo describes Zegler as a casualty of the ongoing "culture wars," noting that actors from underrepresented communities, such as Zegler, who is Latina, often become targets of criticism.

How did this situation escalate, and what lies ahead for Zegler?

The Blame Game

The film itself has been at the heart of the controversy.

Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White debuted earlier this month but received mixed reviews—The Observer’s Wendy Ide called it “toe-curlingly terrible.” While some U.S. critics have been more lenient, the movie's box office performance has fallen short of expectations despite topping North America's charts.

On social media, some have blamed Zegler for the film’s struggles.

Among them was Jonah Platt, son of Snow White producer Marc Platt, who criticized Zegler in a social media post, accusing her of bringing personal politics into the film's promotion. Though the post was later deleted, multiple outlets, including the New York Post, preserved screenshots.

Platt argued that Zegler's actions negatively impacted the movie's financial success.

Controversy Began Before the Film’s Release

Long before the premiere, Zegler faced online attacks from critics unhappy with her casting as a character traditionally described as having skin “as white as snow.”

In 2022, Zegler sparked headlines with her comments about the original Snow White, calling the prince's love story “weird” because he "literally stalks her." She also remarked that the original film was outdated in its portrayal of women, adding, “People joke about ours being the PC Snow White, but it needed to be.”

Many saw her statements as a critique of Disney’s legacy.

The Daily Mail labeled her comments a “woke tirade,” while Variety reported that she had “trashed the beloved original.”

Victoria Luxford, film editor at City AM, pointed out that criticizing the original film was bound to backfire. Since these remakes rely heavily on nostalgia, speaking negatively about the classic version was a risky move.

Zegler declined to comment on the matter.

However, Anna Smith, host of the Girls On Film podcast, told BBC News that some headlines may have misrepresented her words.

"Zegler acknowledged that times have changed, and the new Snow White was adapted for a modern audience—something common in remakes. Yet, few other reboots spark such heated debates over ‘woke’ culture," Smith explained.

Zegler’s Political Views Have Also Sparked Debate

Beyond the film, Zegler’s political stances have added to the controversy.

Last summer, she posted on X, thanking fans for their support of the movie's trailer and adding, “And always remember, free Palestine.”

Variety reported that Marc Platt personally traveled to New York to discuss the post with Zegler.

Neither Zegler nor Platt have responded to requests for comment.

Additionally, after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Zegler posted on Instagram that she hoped “Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace.”

She later apologized for her statement.

While some praised her for speaking her mind, Ehenulo noted that Zegler is "not the first and certainly not the last actor to discuss politics."

Luxford added that it’s unlikely the film’s target audience -children under 10 - would be influenced by Zegler’s political views.

However, film critic Conor Riley suggested that her remarks about Trump may have hurt the film’s release.

He also noted that Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, has faced backlash for her vocal support of Israel.

A Perfect Storm of Controversy

According to Riley, the timing of the film’s release further complicated matters.

"Zegler became a lightning rod for controversy, not only due to her own actions but because Snow White landed at the crossroads of Hollywood’s creative stagnation, racial politics, global conflicts, and America’s deep ideological divide," he said.

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Source: bbc‍