Rachel Zegler’s ascent from a New Jersey high school stage to Hollywood’s spotlight has been nothing short of meteoric. At 24, she’s earned a Golden Globe for West Side Story and headlined Disney’s live-action Snow White, yet her journey has been shadowed by a polarizing reputation. Many fans adore her talent and tenacity, but an equally vocal group finds her unlikeable, citing her outspoken nature and controversial stances. What drives this divide? The untold drama behind her rise—spanning early success, social media missteps, and cultural backlash—offers clues to why Rachel Zegler has become a lightning rod in the entertainment world.

From YouTube Covers to Hollywood Stardom

Rachel Zegler’s story begins in Hackensack, New Jersey, where she grew up with a Colombian mother and Polish father. A self-proclaimed theater nerd, she honed her craft in school productions like Beauty and the Beast and Shrek the Musical, earning accolades in local theater circles. Her big break came in 2018 when, at 17, she responded to Steven Spielberg’s open casting call for West Side Story with YouTube videos of herself singing “Tonight” and “I Feel Pretty.” Chosen from 30,000 applicants, she debuted as María in 2021, delivering a performance that won her a Golden Globe and catapulted her into the limelight.

Her early success was marked by humility. In interviews, she spoke of battling imposter syndrome, a sentiment that endeared her to some fans. Yet, this rapid rise also set the stage for scrutiny. As a young actress with no prior professional experience, her transition from YouTube covers to a Spielberg film raised expectations—and skepticism. The groundwork for her unlikeable label began to form as her every move was dissected.

The Snow White Storm

The turning point came with her casting as Snow White in Disney’s 2025 live-action remake. Announced in 2021, the decision to cast a Latina actress in a role traditionally depicted as “white as snow” sparked immediate debate. Zegler herself expressed surprise, noting in a 2022 interview that she never imagined playing a princess of Latin descent. While some praised Disney’s push for diversity, others accused the studio of straying from the source material, igniting a firestorm of online criticism.

Zegler’s own comments amplified the controversy. At the 2022 D23 Expo, she described the original 1937 film as “dated,” criticizing its focus on a prince who “stalks” Snow White and emphasizing a modern take where the princess dreams of leadership, not love. These remarks, intended to highlight the remake’s feminist angle, were branded a “woke tirade” by some outlets, fueling accusations of arrogance. Social media erupted, with users labeling her ungrateful and out of touch, sentiments that grew louder as the film’s March 2025 release approached.

The drama escalated with production choices, like replacing the seven dwarfs with CGI “magical creatures” following backlash from actor Peter Dinklage. Zegler became a convenient scapegoat for the film’s troubled rollout, which included multiple reshoots and a $269 million budget. When Snow White flopped at the box office, grossing just $205 million, many pointed to her as the reason, ignoring broader factors like marketing missteps or audience fatigue with Disney remakes.

Social Media Missteps and Political Backlash

Zegler’s unfiltered social media presence has been both her strength and downfall. Her posts, ranging from support for Palestine to a scathing reaction to Donald Trump’s 2024 reelection—“Trump supporters will never know peace”—have drawn ire from conservative circles. Journalist Megyn Kelly called her a “pig,” and boycotts of Snow White gained traction. Though she later apologized, the damage was done, reinforcing the narrative of an actress too outspoken for her own good.

This political stance clashed with co-star Gal Gadot’s background, a former IDF soldier, adding tension to the Snow White set. Reports of their strained dynamic, highlighted by their distant interactions at the premiere, fueled tabloid speculation. Zegler’s decision to post “free Palestine” alongside a Snow White teaser drew further condemnation, with some labeling her hypocritical for accepting a Disney paycheck while critiquing its cultural output. These incidents painted her as divisive, alienating fans who preferred their stars apolitical.

The Cultural Divide

The dislike for Zegler taps into broader cultural tensions. Her rise coincides with a backlash against what some call “woke Hollywood,” where diversity initiatives and progressive messaging are met with resistance. As a young Latina actress challenging a classic fairy tale, she embodies a shift that unsettles traditionalists. Critics argue her comments dismiss nostalgia, a key driver for Disney’s audience, while supporters see her as a bold voice against outdated tropes.

Gender dynamics play a role too. Online discourse often frames her as “entitled” or “cringe,” a label rarely applied with the same intensity to male peers like Jacob Elordi, who admitted to disliking The Kissing Booth without similar backlash. Studies of social media sentiment suggest female actors face disproportionate scrutiny, a trend Zegler’s experience exemplifies. Her youth—24 in a cutthroat industry—amplifies this, as every misstep is magnified under a microscope.

Talent vs. Perception

Despite the criticism, Zegler’s talent remains undeniable. Her vocal prowess in West Side Story and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes earned praise, with some calling her a “marvel of multiplex acting.” Yet, this skill is often overshadowed by her persona. Fans on platforms like X laud her resilience, while detractors focus on her attitude, creating a polarized image. The Snow White streaming success on Disney+ in June 2025, topping charts in 48 countries, has been spun as a redemption, but skeptics argue it’s more about curiosity than approval.

Her upcoming projects—Evita on the West End and She Gets It From Me with Marisa Tomei—offer a chance to redefine her narrative. Yet, the question lingers: can she overcome the unlikeable tag? Industry insiders suggest her candidness, while refreshing, may need tempering to navigate Hollywood’s expectations.

The Untold Drama

Beneath the headlines lies an untold layer of drama. Zegler has faced personal tolls, including harassment that forced her to move from her apartment in 2023. Disney’s silence on providing her security, contrasted with measures for Gadot, hints at a studio prioritizing damage control over support. Her strike with SAG-AFTRA in 2023, demanding fair pay for streaming, reflects a principled stand that some admire but others see as self-serving.

The media’s role can’t be ignored. Outlets have amplified her missteps, often framing her as the face of Snow White’s failure rather than a cog in a larger machine. This narrative shift—pushing her from darling to pariah—mirrors patterns seen with actresses like Anne Hathaway, suggesting a cyclical tendency to tear down young women in the spotlight.

A Star at a Crossroads

Rachel Zegler’s unlikeability stems less from her actions and more from a perfect storm of cultural backlash, media framing, and her own unpolished authenticity. Her rise from a YouTube singer to a Disney princess is a fairy tale turned cautionary tale, where talent clashes with expectation. As she navigates her 20s, the question isn’t just why she’s disliked, but whether she can reclaim her narrative—or if Hollywood will let her.

At 24, with a Broadway debut and a string of films ahead, Zegler stands at a crossroads. Her story is far from over, but the drama behind her fame suggests the industry and its audience are still deciding what to make of her. For now, the “unlikeable” label lingers, a testament to the complexities of stardom in an age of relentless scrutiny.