Rachel Zegler has addressed the backlash she endured after being cast as Snow White in Disney’s 2025 live-action remake, which went on to underperform at the box office. The 24-year-old actress described the experience as a “confusing time,” especially given her pride in her Colombian–Polish heritage amid online attacks disputing her skin color suitability for the role.
In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar UK during a floral-themed spring photo shoot, Zegler vowed she would
“never to assimilate for anybody else’s comfort,”
confronting the dual criticisms she received related to her ethnicity and casting choices.
Mixed Criticism Over Rachel’s Heritage and Casting Choices
Zegler revealed she was criticized for being “not Latino enough” when playing María in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, yet deemed “too Latino” for Snow White.
“I was told I wasn’t enough of one thing for West Side Story and too much of another for Snow White. It was a really confusing time to be in my early twenties and hearing that,”
she explained.
Growing up proud of her Colombian roots, Zegler recounted her connection to the culture — from enjoying traditional food to wearing cultural dresses — emphasizing how integral this was to her identity both as a child and an adult. She reflected,
“In the public eye at least, when you’re two things, you’re simultaneously nothing. But I refuse to assimilate for anybody else’s comfort.”
Threats and Mental Health Struggles Amid Rising Fame
The actress disclosed that beyond online trolls, she faced direct threats to her personal safety following her roles.
“If I’d been able to predict everything that would come my way, the threats to my safety, I would have just thrown my phone into the ocean. I think any sane person would have,”
she said.
Since her rapid rise to superstardom, Zegler has emphasized the role of therapy in maintaining her mental health. She expressed a desire for greater openness around mental health, saying,
“I long for a time when it’s not taboo to talk about and explore in a way that is universal and accessible. Everybody deserves to understand what’s going on in their own mind and heart.”
Behind-the-Scenes Tensions and Controversies Around the Film
The Snow White remake, directed by Marc Webb, was mired in controversy throughout its press tour. Reports surfaced of a clash between Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot, with speculation tying their disagreements to their opposing views on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict—Gadot being Israeli.
This tension was underscored when fans noticed Zegler had unfollowed Gadot on Instagram days before the film’s premiere. The film’s production also faced criticism for its politically updated version of the original 1937 cartoon story, aiming for a more inclusive retelling.
In 2022, Zegler had supported this modern approach, remarking to Vanity Fair, “It needed that.” However, others, including actor Peter Dinklage, criticized the remake. Dinklage called it a
“f***ing backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together.”
Backlash Leads to Limited Media Access and Premiere Cancellation
The extent of the backlash contributed to the cancellation of the film’s large-scale premiere initially planned for London’s Leicester Square. Industry insiders revealed Disney anticipated an anti-woke backlash and, in response, scaled down the media schedule to a handful of controlled press events.
A source told People,
“That is why they have taken the highly unusual step not to host a London premiere for the film and are minimizing the amount of press questions that Rachel Zegler gets.”
Gal Gadot Attributes Box Office Performance to External Factors
Gal Gadot addressed the live-action Snow White’s poor box office reception by pointing to anti-Israel sentiment as a contributing factor. She later softened her statement, acknowledging through Instagram Stories,
“Of course, the film didn’t fail solely because of external pressures. There are many factors that determine why a film succeeds or fails. Success is never guaranteed.”
Gadot also expressed how critics primarily saw her as Israeli rather than as an actress, stating,
“They saw me, first and foremost, as an Israeli, not as an actress. That’s the perspective I spoke from when I answered the question.”
Rachel Zegler’s Clarification and Reflection on the Backlash
Following a viral clip of her discussing the movie’s low attendance on Israeli television, Zegler used Instagram to clarify her remarks. She described the interview as “extraordinary” and said,
“Sometimes we respond to questions from an emotional place. When the film came out, I felt that those who are against Israel criticized me in a very personal, almost visceral way.”
Her openness in addressing the backlash highlights the complex intersection of her career, cultural identity, and political tensions surrounding the film.
Gal Gadot gave a big interview tonite on Israeli TV, on the pressure in Hollywood to speak out against Israel pic.twitter.com/fBNuLAmeFt
— Betar Worldwide (@Betar_USA) August 16, 2025
