LATEST: The Ugly Truth? Rachel Zegler Reveals Snow White’s Challenges

March 31, 2025 – Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old star of Disney’s recently released live-action Snow White, has never been one to shy away from speaking her mind. From her breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story to her latest turn as the iconic Disney princess, Zegler’s journey in Hollywood has been anything but a fairy tale. As Snow White hit theaters on March 21, 2025, the film—and its leading lady—found themselves at the center of a storm of controversy, box office disappointment, and behind-the-scenes drama. In a series of candid revelations, Zegler has pulled back the curtain on the ugly truth behind the challenges she faced, shedding light on a production fraught with tension, racism, and unrelenting scrutiny.

When Zegler was first cast as Snow White in June 2021, the announcement was met with a mix of excitement and outrage. For many, her Colombian-Polish heritage marked a refreshing step toward diversity in Disney’s storied lineup of princesses. Yet, for a vocal subset of fans, her casting was an affront to the “fairest of them all”—a character historically depicted with skin “as white as snow.” The backlash was swift and vicious, with online trolls flooding social media with racist vitriol. Zegler, then just 20 years old, faced an onslaught that would have broken many. “I was harassed for being brown, for having brown skin, for playing Snow White,” she later recounted in a 2024 interview with Cosmopolitan. The abuse escalated beyond the digital realm, with some detractors allegedly showing up outside her apartment to scream profanities—a chilling testament to the lengths people would go to oppose her.

But the challenges didn’t stop at casting. Zegler’s outspoken nature soon added fuel to the fire. In a 2022 interview at Disney’s D23 Expo, she described the original 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as “dated,” critiquing its focus on a love story with a prince who “literally stalks” the princess. She emphasized that her version would prioritize leadership and self-discovery over romance—a modern reimagining meant to empower a new generation. While some praised her vision, others saw it as a betrayal of a beloved classic. Clips of her comments went viral in 2023, reigniting the fury of Disney purists who accused her of disrespecting Walt Disney’s legacy. “Out of millions of women who loved the character, this is who we get,” one X user lamented, encapsulating the sentiment of those who felt Zegler didn’t deserve the role.

The actress didn’t back down. “I hope every child knows they can be a princess no matter what,” she wrote on social media in 2023, sharing childhood photos of herself in princess costumes, including Snow White. Her defiance won her allies—fellow Disney princess Halle Bailey, who faced similar racist backlash for The Little Mermaid, publicly supported her—but it also painted a target on her back. By the time Snow White entered its final stages of production, Zegler had become a lightning rod for broader culture wars, with critics on all sides dissecting her every word and move.

Behind the scenes, the production itself was a battleground. Originally slated for a 2024 release, Snow White was delayed by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, pushing its debut to March 2025. The film’s budget ballooned to a reported $270 million, thanks to costly reshoots and ambitious visual effects. One major point of contention was the depiction of the Seven Dwarfs. After actor Peter Dinklage criticized Disney for perpetuating stereotypes with the traditional characters, the studio pivoted to “magical creatures” of diverse sizes and genders—a decision that pleased some but alienated others who felt it strayed too far from the source material. Zegler, caught in the crossfire, faced questions about a film she didn’t direct or write, yet her association with it made her a convenient scapegoat.

Then came the political firestorm. In August 2024, days after unveiling the Snow White trailer at D23—an event that saw the teaser rack up 120 million views in 24 hours—Zegler posted a heartfelt thank-you to fans on X. She ended it with, “And always remember, free Palestine.” The statement, viewed 8.8 million times, sparked immediate backlash. Some praised her courage, but others, including Disney insiders, were stunned that she’d intertwine a geopolitical stance with the promotion of a family film. According to a Variety report, producer Marc Platt flew to New York to address the tweet with her, while death threats toward her Israeli co-star Gal Gadot (the Evil Queen) spiked, prompting Disney to beef up Gadot’s security. Zegler refused to delete the post, standing firm in her beliefs. “I can’t watch children die,” she later told Variety. “I don’t think that should be a hot take.”

Her activism didn’t stop there. Following Donald Trump’s re-election in November 2024, Zegler posted “Fuck Donald Trump” and “May Trump supporters never know peace” on Instagram, further alienating a portion of the film’s potential audience. Disney, already grappling with a polarizing project, reportedly struggled to “rein her in,” per Page Six. Sources claimed executives called her directly, urging her to tone down her posts, but Zegler held her ground—a move that some hailed as integrity and others decried as reckless.

When Snow White finally premiered, the reception was underwhelming. Opening to just $43 million domestically and $87 million globally—far below expectations for a Disney tentpole—the film was panned by some critics as “toe-curlingly terrible” (The Observer), though Zegler’s performance earned praise as a “shining supernova” (Teen Vogue). Still, the narrative shifted to blame her. Jonah Platt, son of producer Marc Platt, accused her in a since-deleted Instagram post of dragging her politics into promotion and hurting the box office. Disney insiders whispered to Variety that her actions had alienated viewers, though supporters like actress Melissa Barrera argued the studio’s smear campaign only made Zegler “cool as hell and full of integrity.”

In recent interviews, Zegler has reflected on these challenges with a mix of exhaustion and resilience. “It’s an honor to be part of something people feel so passionately about,” she told Vogue Mexico in February 2025, reframing the backlash as fan devotion. She’s also leaned into her heritage, noting how her Colombian roots shaped her connection to Snow White’s heart and humanity. “Her superpower is her love for all living creatures,” Zegler said, hinting at the message she hopes the film imparts.

The ugly truth? Zegler’s Snow White journey reveals the brutal cost of reimagining a classic in a divided world. Racism, online hate, studio pressure, and a faltering box office have tested her at every turn. Yet, through it all, she’s emerged as a voice unwilling to be silenced—whether that’s a triumph or a tragedy depends on who’s watching. As Snow White fades from headlines, one thing is certain: Rachel Zegler’s story is far from over.