Rachel Zegler‘s casting as Snow White in Disney’s live-action remake should have marked a milestone in the young actress’s career, an ultimate dream realized for someone who has adored Disney from a young age. However, the announcement sparked debates rather than celebration, with the internet buzzing over her suitability for the role. The controversy, fueled by Zegler’s comments on both the original 1937 film and Disney’s modern adaptation, has overshadowed what could have been a seamless transition into an iconic role.
Many might not know that Zegler’s journey to donning Snow White’s dress is steeped in family tradition. On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, she divulged just how deeply her family’s love for Disney runs. Her parents, especially her father, are avid Disney enthusiasts. Such is their devotion that their wedding song was “A Whole New World” from Aladdin. “I was bred for this,” she expressed, underscoring a lifetime of preparation to inherit this Disney mantle.
The annual family vacations to Disney World were more than just trips; they were entrenched tradition. “That was our vacation, our yearly vacation, the four of us, my sister and my parents and I,” Zegler recounted. She humorously noted how her parents continue to visit Disney World, even without her. Her father’s whimsical flair for wearing Mickey Mouse ears, paired with an imagined Santa hat akin to the style of Stanley Tucci, embodies the charm and humor within her family.
Long before Zegler set her sights on a career in Hollywood, she embraced her identity as the quintessential Disney kid, often dressing up as her beloved characters. This profound connection to Disney underpins her enthusiasm and genuine excitement for the role; she is not merely performing as Snow White but fulfilling a dream born out of her childhood fantasies.
Nevertheless, Zegler’s casting has not been free from contention. Critics have questioned Disney’s intention in reshaping a classic European tale, pointing to Zegler’s own critiques of the original film as a catalyst for the uproar. At the 2022 D23 Expo, Zegler candidly addressed her views on Snow White’s character arc in the animated classic. “There’s a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird. So we didn’t do that this time,” she remarked. Her confession of fearing the original version, having watched it only once, added another layer to the debate.
While updates to the narrative were welcomed by some, others construed Zegler’s reflections as dismissive of an age-old favorite. The reaction even drew comments from David Hale Hand, son of the supervising director of the original film, who criticized the remake for being unnecessarily “woke.” In response to the ongoing discussions, Disney opted for a more subdued approach by forgoing traditional red-carpet interviews during the film’s Hollywood premiere on March 21.
The controversy surrounding Snow White has made it one of the year’s most talked-about films, receiving positive reviews despite the initial uproar. Whether Zegler’s heartfelt attachment to Disney will be enough to appease critics remains uncertain, yet her fervor for the role is evident to all. Fans and skeptics alike watch closely as Snow White prepares to grace the big screen on March 21, 2025. The question persists: will Rachel Zegler’s Disney legacy charm audiences, weaving her family ties into this historic recreation of a beloved fairy tale?
