by: Bee Delores
Last Updated: November 17, 2024
7 min read
7 min read
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Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Snow White , set for release in March 2025, has been one of the studio’s most anticipated projects—and now one of its most controversial .
At the center of the drama is 23-year-old Rachel Zegler, who plays the iconic princess.
Zegler’s undeniable talent and rise to fame in West Side Story made her a fitting choice for the role.
But her outspoken opinions, political comments, and reported on-set difficulties have sparked debates about whether Disney might regret crowning her its new Snow White.
Read on to find out more!
The most recent chapter in the Snow White saga unfolded after Donald Trump ’s re-election last week.
Zegler took to social media to share her frustration, writing, “May Trump supporters and Trump himself never know peace.”
She criticized Trump’s policies and his supporters, calling their allegiance a “foolish subscription to a false sense of security, masculinity, and patriotism.”
The backlash was swift. Trump voters vowed to boycott the film, conservative voices like Megyn Kelly slammed Zegler as a “pig,” and social media erupted into a firestorm.
While Zegler later apologized, saying she let her “emotions get the best of her,” the damage appeared to be done.
Critics accused her of alienating a significant portion of the audience, and her comments have left Disney scrambling to manage the fallout.
Zegler’s Trump-related controversy isn’t her first run-in with drama.
Insiders have claimed that Disney executives have long viewed the young star as a “loose cannon.”
Rumors from the production suggest that Zegler caused tension on set in 2022, particularly over disagreements with how the film deviated from the original Snow White story.
“She didn’t agree with the changes to the plot but took the role anyway,” one source revealed. “
She read the script before signing on. If she had such a big issue with it, she shouldn’t have accepted it.”
What changes? For starters, the live-action version transforms Snow White into a modern leader, focusing less on romance and more on empowerment.
While Disney sees this as a progressive reimagining, Zegler’s public critiques of the original film—calling it “extremely dated” and its romance “weird”—irked fans of the classic.
Politics continued to follow Zegler when she shared a post promoting the Snow White trailer earlier this year with the hashtag #FreePalestine.
This reportedly sparked tension with co-star Gal Gadot , an Israeli actress and former IDF soldier.
While neither star has addressed any conflict publicly, rumors of friction circulated online, further complicating the film’s rollout.
Disney has not commented on Zegler’s political activism, but it’s clear the studio prefers its stars to keep things apolitical.
“They’d love for her to stop making waves, but what can they do now?” an insider said.
Despite the drama, some believe Zegler’s controversies might actually work in the film’s favor.
“This is Snow White ,” said one Hollywood insider. “The story is iconic . All the attention—good or bad—might end up boosting ticket sales. People will want to see what all the fuss is about.”
That said, others worry about long-term damage. The backlash could alienate Disney’s traditionally family-friendly audience, especially in politically charged times.
Zegler’s connection to Snow White has been complicated from the start.
The young actress has spoken about her frustration with how the original 1937 animated classic portrayed women.
“The original is extremely dated,” she said in a 2022 interview. “It’s focused on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird. So we didn’t do that this time.”
Instead, the live-action Snow White dreams of becoming a “ fearless leader,” a move aimed at updating the character for modern audiences.
While some applaud the shift, others feel it strays too far from the beloved fairy tale.
So, where does all of this leave Disney? According to insiders, the studio is bracing for the Snow White release with both hope and trepidation.
On the one hand, the Disney machine is an unstoppable force, and the Snow White brand is legendary .
On the other hand, Zegler’s polarizing comments, compounded by rumors of her on-set behavior, could affect box office performance.
“It’s too late to shelve the film,” a source said. “They’re hoping the Disney name and the timeless appeal of Snow White will carry it through, but execs are definitely nervous.”
For Zegler, the Snow White controversies could either make or break her future in Hollywood .
Some see her outspokenness as refreshing, a sign of a young actress unafraid to stand by her beliefs.
Others see her as a liability, pointing to the backlash as evidence that stars need to tread carefully when blending politics and entertainment.
As Disney pushes forward with the film’s release, all eyes will be on Zegler—and whether she can win over audiences despite the storm of controversy.
One thing is clear: This isn’t the fairy tale Disney hoped for. Whether the ending will be happy or not remains to be seen. March 2025 can’t come soon enough.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Rachel Anne Zegler |
Date of Birth | May 3, 2001 |
Age | 23 years old (as of 2024) |
Birthplace | Hackensack, New Jersey, USA |
Ethnicity | Colombian-American |
Profession | Actress, Singer |
Breakout Role | María Vasquez in West Side Story (2021) |
Awards | Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical |
Notable Films | West Side Story (2021) Snow White (2025) Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) |
Education | Attended Immaculate Conception High School in Lodi, New Jersey |
Political Views | Openly outspoken on social and political issues |
Social Media Followers | 2.3 million+ on Instagram |
Upcoming Projects | Snow White (2025) |
Controversies | Political remarks, critiques of classic films, on-set behavior |
Interesting Fact | First Latina actress to play Maria in a West Side Story adaptation |
Lover of hiking, biking, horror movies, cats and camping. Writer at Wide Open Country, Holler and Nashville Gab.
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