Rachel Zegler diplomatically addresses the backlash against Disney’s Snow White remake.
Some criticism stemmed from Zegler being cast as a Latina in a traditionally white role.
Zegler believes the remake struck a balance between honoring the original and appealing to new audiences.

Disney‘s Snow White live-action remake has received a lot of hate from some ‘fans,’ but lead actress Rachel Zegler had a diplomatic explanation for the backlash.

Disney’s Snow White live-action remake has been the subject of controversy since the beginning. From Peter Dinklage blasting Snow White as a “backward story” for its depiction of dwarves to the negative response to the CGI in the first Snow White trailer, the live-action remake has been criticized on multiple fronts. Snow White actress Zegler herself has been attacked, partly for her criticism of the original 1937 animated Snow White film. However, many critics (most seemingly conservative-leaning) have hurled hate towards Zegler simply for being a Latina actress cast in a traditionally white role.

During an interview with Vogue Mexico (translation via Toonado), Zegler discussed the controversy and where she stands on the Snow White backlash. Zegler explained that she believes the backlash is prompted by people’s passion for the original Snow White and added that it was “an honor” to be part of a movie people feel strongly about. She acknowledged that not everyone is going to agree and said that all anyone can do is their best. Zegler also assured fans that the Disney remake found a “beautiful, delicate balance” between being faithful to the original animated Snow White film and introducing it to a new generation.

I interpret people’s feelings about this film as passion for it, and what an honor to be able to be a part of something that people are so passionate about. […] We’re not always going to have the same feelings as everyone around us and all we can do is give our best.

While the haters may be the most vocal (or at least grab the most attention), not everyone is negative towards Zegler and the Snow White remake. A glance at the comments on Zegler’s Instagram posts proves there’s no shortage of fans who are excited to see the Golden Globe-winning West Side Story star take on the iconic Snow White role. While the Snow White box office projections suggested the film’s financial fate could be bleak, it wasn’t outside the realm of possibility for it to do well in the long term, particularly if enough of Zegler’s fans show up.

There are legitimate reasons to criticize the Snow White remake, but the film seemingly receives more vitriol than Disney’s other live-action reinterpretations. David Hand, a former Disney designer and son of a director on the original animated film, called the Snow White remake a disgrace for “making up new woke things,” a sentiment conservatives often used to describe anything that attempts to promote diversity. But Zegler proved her singing and acting talents with her Golden Globe-winning performance as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, and while her subsequent films haven’t been as well-received, she’s often been singled out as one of the bright spots in them. So, if Snow White doesn’t work, she’s unlikely to deserve all of or any of the blame, and no one deserves to be treated so harshly regardless.

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Snow White is scheduled to be released in theaters on March 21, 2025.