Rachel Zegler, the actress playing Snow White in Disney’s live-action remake, has found herself in the midst of a storm of backlash after the film’s release. With overwhelming negative reviews and underwhelming box office numbers, Zegler is now attempting to win over both critics and fans by reasserting her excitement and pride in the role.
Her journey through this controversy has been far from smooth, marked by surprising shifts in tone and public statements.
The actress, best known for her role in West Side Story, posted a nostalgic throwback photo of herself as a young child dressed as Snow White. This photo, taken in 2004, shows a young Zegler in a homemade Snow White costume, giving fans a glimpse into her long-standing connection to the iconic fairytale princess. "2004 to NOW — dreams really do come true.
Snow White is now in theaters!" she captioned the post, celebrating her childhood dream coming to life. Alongside this childhood photo, Zegler shared a behind-the-scenes snap from the set of the 2023 remake, in which she is dressed in Snow White's signature gown, with a shawl and bonnet, sitting in a director’s chair.
Despite the excitement in her social media post, the 23-year-old actress is facing a great deal of backlash, much of which stems from her past remarks about the original 1937 Snow White animated movie. Zegler previously called the 1937 classic "weird" and "sexist" in a 2020 interview, sparking outrage among fans of the original film.
The backlash over her comments intensified when the live-action remake was officially announced, with some fans fearing that Disney’s reimagining would be overly politically correct or make unnecessary changes to the beloved story.
In an unexpected twist, Zegler has since walked back her previous criticism of the original Snow White film. Appearing on Good Morning America on Thursday, the actress expressed how "honored" she was to take on the role of Snow White. Her remarks were a stark contrast to her earlier comments, and she made it clear that playing the iconic princess was a dream come true for her.
"It was the honor of a lifetime," Zegler stated, reflecting on the excitement she felt when she received the call from Disney in 2021. "I think every young person dreams about a phone call like that. This one is certainly extra special as a huge Disney fan."
She continued to emphasize her gratitude, describing the opportunity to bring Snow White to life in a "unique" way as a "beautiful opportunity." This shift in tone comes amid the negative reception of the $270 million live-action reboot, which has been criticized for various reasons, including the "woke" elements of its modernized take on the Snow White story.
The new Snow White movie has been under fire for changes to the original plot, particularly the romance between Snow White and Prince Charming. Critics argue that the love story in the new film is too forced and overly progressive, with some fans claiming that the film has been "too woke" for its own good.
Disney’s decision to replace the traditional dwarf characters with CGI versions has also raised eyebrows, with some accusing the studio of bowing to modern sensitivities rather than staying true to the original. Zegler has addressed these criticisms, defending the modernized approach, and arguing that it reflects the current cultural climate.
One of the major points of contention is the film’s romantic storyline. In the original 1937 animated film, Snow White falls in love with Prince Charming almost immediately after meeting him, which many have criticized as reinforcing outdated notions of romance and gender roles. In the remake, Disney has altered the story to make the romance less central, in an attempt to avoid these perceived issues. However, this shift has left many fans of the original film dissatisfied, and some argue that the film has lost the charm of the classic.
Zegler’s personal politics have also been a subject of public discussion, especially in light of her outspoken views on social and political issues. The actress has been vocal about her pro-Palestine stance and has publicly condemned President Donald Trump.
Her political views have led to some fans questioning her suitability for the role of a Disney princess, as they believe her activism may conflict with the image of Snow White. Despite this, Zegler has continued to defend her views, stating that they are a reflection of her beliefs and values.
The controversy surrounding the Snow White remake has only intensified due to rumors of a rift between Zegler and her co-star, Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen in the film. A "scaled-back" press tour, which saw Zegler appearing at fewer events, fueled speculation about a feud between the two actresses. While neither has confirmed or denied these rumors, the tension surrounding the film's production has contributed to the growing negativity surrounding the project.
In the face of all these challenges, Zegler is clearly making an effort to soften her public image and repair her relationship with the film’s audience. Her Instagram post, sharing both a throwback photo and behind-the-scenes images from the film, is an attempt to show fans a more personal side of her journey as Snow White.
It seems that Zegler is eager to remind her followers that, despite the controversies, playing the role of Snow White has been a lifelong dream for her.
As Disney continues to face criticism for its remake of Snow White, it remains to be seen how the film will perform at the box office in the coming weeks. Despite the negative reviews and mixed reactions, Zegler is clearly committed to her role and is doing her best to move beyond her past comments and focus on the positive aspects of her experience.
Whether or not she can successfully shift public opinion remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Zegler is determined to make the most of her time as the iconic princess, despite the challenges that come with the role.
