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Rachel Zegler has once again landed in hot water, reigniting controversy over her role in Disney’s upcoming live-action Snow White. Just days before the film’s highly anticipated debut, the actress is facing backlash for what many perceive as a mockery of the very movie she is supposed to honor.
For months, Zegler has been at the center of heated debates regarding her portrayal of Snow White. From the beginning, she made it clear that she did not admire the original 1937 animated film, calling it outdated and criticizing its romantic themes.
She dismissed the classic love story between Snow White and Prince Charming as “weird” and “sexist,” stating that her version of the character would be more independent and uninterested in love. Her remarks sparked outrage among fans who saw them as disrespectful to Disney’s first-ever animated feature and its lasting legacy.
On top of that, the film itself has been riddled with controversy. The decision to remove the iconic Seven Dwarfs and replace them with a diverse group of “magical creatures” was met with backlash.
Disney defended the change as an effort to modernize the story, but many longtime fans felt it was unnecessary and undermined the charm of the original. Critics accused the studio of prioritizing social messaging over faithful storytelling, arguing that the company had lost sight of what made Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs a beloved classic.
Despite all this, Zegler recently shocked fans with a sudden change of tone. In a post on Instagram, she shared a glamorous photoshoot where she styled herself to resemble Adriana Caselotti, the actress who voiced the original Snow White.
With a large red bow in her hair and a playful expression, she captioned the post: “Just had to pay homage to the original Snow White, Miss Adriana Caselotti, to whom I owe everything.”
The reaction was immediate—and it wasn’t positive. Fans were quick to call her out for what they saw as blatant hypocrisy. Given her history of harsh criticism toward the original film, her sudden “homage” came across as insincere and opportunistic.
The post quickly went viral, with angry Disney fans taking to social media to express their frustration. Many saw it as a desperate attempt to repair her public image after months of negative press.
One Twitter user wrote: “You can’t spend months mocking the movie and then suddenly act like you respect it. We’re not buying it.”
Another commented: “Damage control at its finest. First she says the film is outdated and that no one watches it, and now she’s honoring it? Please.”
Some even speculated that Disney had pressured Zegler to make the post in an attempt to smooth over the controversy before the film’s release. Whether orchestrated by the studio or not, the backlash was undeniable.
Instead of winning back audiences, the post only reignited the anger surrounding her involvement in the project.
The backlash surrounding Snow White isn’t just about Zegler’s comments—it’s part of a larger pattern of dissatisfaction with Disney’s recent live-action remakes. While the company has tried to update its classic films for modern audiences, many fans feel that these remakes often miss the magic of the originals.
Other recent Disney adaptations, such as The Little Mermaid (2023) and Peter Pan & Wendy (2023), also faced criticism for making drastic changes to their source material. While some praised these films for their inclusivity, others felt that they strayed too far from the beloved stories that audiences grew up with.
Now, Snow White appears to be following the same controversial path, with the added issue of its lead actress actively alienating fans before the film has even premiered.
Disney’s decision to invest an estimated $270 million into Snow White (2025) is a massive financial risk. If the film fails to attract audiences, it could be another sign that fans are growing tired of reimagined classics that seem to dismiss the original works that inspired them.
With the film’s release just around the corner, Disney and Zegler find themselves in an increasingly difficult position. The backlash surrounding her comments has already tainted public perception of the movie, and no amount of Instagram tributes is likely to erase the damage.
For many fans, the issue is no longer just about the film—it’s about respect. Audiences want actors who appreciate the roles they take on, not those who openly criticize the very stories that made them famous.
Zegler’s dismissive attitude toward Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has created a lasting impression, and her sudden attempt to “pay homage” feels like an insincere attempt to regain favor.
The real test will be whether audiences decide to give the film a chance despite the controversy. Will casual moviegoers still turn out in theaters, or will the backlash prove too overwhelming to recover from?
One thing is certain: Rachel Zegler’s portrayal of Snow White will not be remembered simply for being a modern take on a classic character—it will be remembered for the debates, outrage, and social media firestorm that surrounded it long before the movie ever hit the big screen.
