Rachel Zegler, best known for her role as María in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story, where she earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress-Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, has found herself at the center of a heated debate. Her recent portrayal of Snow White in Disney’s live-action reimagining of the 1937 classic has sparked controversy, mainly due to her past comments and the film’s box office performance.
The Snow White film, which features Gal Gadot alongside Zegler, aimed to breathe new life into a cherished story, yet the adaptation has faced several challenges. An old video resurfaced, adding fuel to the fire, in which Zegler encouraged followers to unfollow her if they disagreed with her political views. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Zegler publicly supported Kamala Harris on social media, stating, “Vote for Kamala Harris. And it’s actually non-negotiable. Our rights are on the line, folks.”
Following the election, Zegler expressed her discontent and frustration when Harris lost to Donald Trump, saying she was heartbroken and speechless. Her sentiments were harshly criticized, especially when she wrote, “F**k Donald Trump. May Trump supporters and Trump himself never know peace.” This led to a significant backlash, with media personalities like Megyn Kelly suggesting on her Sirius Radio Show that Disney should fire Zegler from the Snow White role.
Despite this tumult, Zegler issued an apology via Variety, acknowledging that she allowed her emotions to lead her away from peace and understanding. She expressed regret for contributing to the negative discourse surrounding political matters.
Rachel Zegler’s comments overshadowed Snow White’s release, impacting its reception and box office performance. While fans were excited about the remake of such a beloved classic, the movie struggled financially. According to THR, it failed to reach the expected $100 million opening weekend, grossing only $87.3 million, despite a substantial combined cost of $370 million for production and marketing.
Yet, Zegler remains optimistic, celebrating the movie’s debut with enthusiasm on social media, where she shared scenes from the trailer and called it the “#1 Movie in the world.” Her performance, praised by critics, has been noted as a highlight even amid varying reviews assessing the film as a mixed bag.
In an Allure Magazine interview, Zegler discussed how she landed the role of Snow White, attributing her successful audition to her singing abilities, particularly her rendition of ‘Waiting on a Wish.’ This impressed Marc Platt and director Marc Webb, underscoring her talent as an actress and singer.
The casting choice of Zegler, who is of Colombian and Polish descent, also stirred discussions on racial representation, facing criticism and support alike. Reports indicated that her relationship with co-star Gal Gadot was professional yet strained due to differing political ideologies, while critics pointed out issues with the film’s CGI effects and thematic inconsistencies.
The movie, holding a 43% critic score and a 74% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, showcases a divided reception. Despite its struggles, Rachel Zegler’s role in Snow White remains a testament to her resilience and talent, embodying the film’s challenges and successes as it continues competing in theaters.
