It appears Hollywood is ready to come to the defense of Disney and throw poor Rachel Zegler overboard. It could be a cautionary tale for other outspoken, young female stars.

The latest Snow White trailer has reached a jaw-dropping half-a-million dislikes in just a single day. That’s compared to only 22K total likes on YouTube. It’s looking more and more wise on Disney’s part to have held the trailer from true public access until a week after Moana 2 released. But whereas much of the movie is the result of Disney’s own leadership (or lack thereof), Bob Iger may be looking to trash Rachel Zegler — and her career — in order to get away from the controversy of sliming Walt’s original film.

But one upcoming release, March’s live-action “Snow White,” has been dogged by expensive reshoots and controversies related to star Rachel Zegler’s social media posts. The actress declined to take down a tweet thread that promoted the $240 million movie with a “free palestine” postscript but did apologize for a “**** Donald Trump” and “May Trump supporters … never know peace” Instagram post. Wading into divisive issues, as Zegler has done, isn’t part of Disney’s new playbook.

— Tatiana Siegel, Variety

Rachel Zegler, once heralded as one of Hollywood’s brightest rising stars, is now experiencing an unexpected turn of events. With her live-action portrayal of Snow White on the horizon, Zegler finds herself at the center of a whirlwind of skepticism and criticism as early industry whispers suggest the film may struggle to reach its ambitious box office goals. Whereas it was fashionable at one point to take politically-divisive positions on the Middle East or claim male heroes in fairy tales were less-than-aspirational, Zegler now faces a completely different world landscape. And Disney is all too keen to make sure you know it’s her, not them, that’s against the majority.

Rachel Zegler as Maria in 20th Century Studios’ WEST SIDE STORY. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2021 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

The young star burst onto the Hollywood scene with her breakout role as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s critically acclaimed remake of West Side Story. At just 20 years old, her performance garnered rave reviews, earning her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. It was a role that showcased her extraordinary vocal talent, emotional depth, and undeniable screen presence, cementing her as a star to watch. Unfortunately, her ability to handle public relations, as well as her lack of relatability, would be her undoing.

Her journey to Hollywood fame began in a rather unconventional way. Zegler was discovered via a casting call on Twitter for West Side Story. Her natural charisma and vocal prowess, evident even in her audition tape, catapulted her from a New Jersey high school student to an overnight sensation. Following the success of West Side Story, Zegler was quickly cast in high-profile projects such as Shazam! Fury of the Gods and the upcoming Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. None of these projects succeeded at the box office, however, with even the Hunger Games title being the lowest-ever for the franchise.

 

When Disney announced Zegler as the lead for their live-action remake of Snow White, the choice was seen as a bold and progressive move by those who wanted Disney to be a socially-activist company for the left. Zegler’s casting represented a “modern reimagining” of the classic character, aligning with Disney’s ongoing efforts to diversify its princess lineup. However, the project has been plagued by controversy from the outset. Critics and audiences have raised questions about the film’s direction, its substantial budget, and the creative decisions behind its production. Recent reports suggest that the film may need to gross over $1 billion to break even—a staggering benchmark in today’s box office landscape, especially for a film that lacks the built-in fanbase of franchises like Marvel or Star Wars. Some outlets are trying to downplay that number to be closer to $600 million… but even then they’re rather hopeless that it can accomplish the task.

Adding fuel to the fire, Zegler has faced backlash for her comments during promotional interviews. While her remarks—such as her modern take on Snow White’s character arc and critiques of outdated fairy-tale tropes—were intended to resonate with contemporary audiences, they have instead polarized fans. Some have praised her candor and progressive stance, while most others have accused her of being dismissive of the original story’s legacy.
Dislikes on the teaser trailer for Snow White

The Like to Dislike Ratio for the Snow White teaser trailer as of December 4, 2024 – YouTube, Disney

The stakes for Snow White are undeniably high. If the film underperforms, Zegler risks being unfairly scapegoated for its failures, despite the myriad factors—including marketing, script, and direction—that contribute to a film’s success. On the other hand, if the film succeeds, it could serve as a powerful comeback narrative, solidifying her position as a Hollywood A-lister. The chances of the latter are slim and slimming quickly.

Rachel Zegler’s career is far from over. But being tossed under the bus by Disney and the trades may mean she lands as a Broadway player rather than a regular on the silver screen.