On June 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM +07, a dramatic and unsettling scene unfolded backstage at a promotional event in Los Angeles, where actress Rachel Zegler reportedly collapsed following the abrupt decision by Disney+ to pull the live-action Snow White remake from its streaming lineup. The incident, captured in shaky footage that has since circulated online, has left fans and industry observers reeling, marking a stunning turn in the already tumultuous saga of the film’s release. The 23-year-old star, known for her breakout role in West Side Story and her polarizing tenure as the titular character in Disney’s latest venture, appeared overwhelmed as the news broke, raising questions about the pressures of fame, the film’s troubled production, and Disney’s strategic missteps.
The Collapse and Its Aftermath
The footage, allegedly recorded by a crew member during a press junket, shows Zegler staggering before collapsing into a chair, her face pale and her hands trembling. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with assistants rushing to her aid as whispers of Disney+’s decision spread. The video, which surfaced on social media platforms late last night, has amassed millions of views, with captions suggesting emotional distress tied to the film’s removal. Sources close to the production indicate Zegler was informed mid-event that Snow White, which debuted theatrically on March 21, 2025, would not proceed to Disney+ as planned, a move attributed to the film’s disappointing $143.1 million global box office haul against a reported $410 million in production and marketing costs.
Medical personnel were called, and Zegler was reportedly taken to a private facility for observation. Her team has yet to release an official statement, but an insider told a entertainment news outlet that she was “exhausted and blindsided” by the news. The collapse has sparked concern among fans, some of whom have taken to X to express sympathy, while others speculate it might be a publicity stunt amid the film’s ongoing controversies.
The Snow White Fiasco
The live-action Snow White remake, directed by Marc Webb and featuring Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, was intended to revitalize Disney’s string of live-action adaptations. However, it became a lightning rod for criticism from the outset. Zegler’s casting as a Latina Snow White drew immediate backlash from purists who clung to the 1937 animated classic’s European roots, while her candid remarks about the original film—calling it “dated” and criticizing the prince as a “stalker”—ignited a firestorm. These comments, made during the 2022 D23 Expo, set the tone for a production plagued by reshoots, a delayed release from March 2024 to March 2025, and a reported fire on the UK set.
The film’s box office performance, with a steep 66% drop in its second weekend, cemented its status as a financial disaster, losing an estimated $115 million after accounting for ancillary revenues. Disney’s decision to pull it from Disney+—a platform where it was expected to find a second life—suggests a rare admission of defeat for a studio known for leveraging streaming to offset theatrical flops. Industry analysts suggest the move reflects not just financial concerns but also a desire to distance the brand from the ongoing Zegler-related controversies, including her political statements on Palestine and her post-election remarks against Donald Trump.
Backstage Pressures and Public Backlash
Zegler’s collapse underscores the intense pressure she faced during the film’s promotion. Reports from Variety indicate Disney hired a “social media guru” to monitor her posts after her “Free Palestine” tweet in August 2024, which coincided with the trailer’s 120 million views, drew ire and reportedly triggered death threats against co-star Gadot, an Israeli actress. Producer Marc Platt’s intervention and the subsequent scaling back of the premiere press tour hint at a strained relationship with the studio. Her Instagram apology for the Trump comments, coupled with a shift to praising the Snow White role on Good Morning America, suggests an attempt to salvage her image—efforts now overshadowed by this latest development.
The backstage footage reveals a young actress grappling with the weight of public scrutiny. Fans on X have noted her visible exhaustion in recent appearances, with one posting, “She looks like she’s been carrying this mess alone.” Critics, however, argue her outspokenness contributed to the film’s demise, with some labeling her a “diva” whose actions alienated audiences. The collapse has reignited debates about whether Disney mismanaged her narrative or if Zegler’s unfiltered persona was a liability from the start.
Disney’s Strategic Retreat
Disney’s decision to pull Snow White from Disney+ marks a significant pivot. The platform, a cornerstone of the company’s post-pandemic strategy, typically serves as a safety net for underperforming films, as seen with The Marvels. However, with Snow White’s reported $270 million production budget ballooning due to strikes and reshoots, and an additional $111 million in global promotion, the losses were unsustainable. A Deadline report estimated the film might generate $295 million in total revenues, far short of breaking even, prompting Disney to halt further investment in its streaming rollout.
This move has fueled speculation about the future of Disney’s live-action remake strategy. The success of The Little Mermaid contrasts sharply with Snow White’s failure, suggesting audiences may reject adaptations perceived as overly “woke” or disconnected from their nostalgic roots. The CGI dwarfs, a departure from using actors with dwarfism, and Zegler’s modernized Snow White—a leader rather than a damsel—were cited as missteps by box office analyst Jeff Bock. Disney’s silence on the pullback, combined with the collapse footage, paints a picture of a studio scrambling to contain the damage.
The Human Cost
Beyond the financial and reputational fallout, Zegler’s collapse highlights the human toll of Hollywood’s high-stakes environment. At 23, she has faced death threats, racist backlash, and intense media scrutiny since her West Side Story debut. Her YouTube video from 2022, where she discussed the loneliness of online trolling, resurfaced amid this incident, resonating with supporters who see her as a target of “culture wars,” as film critic Kelechi Ehenulo described. Yet, her critics argue she invited this pressure with her provocative statements, a view echoed by posts on X calling for her to “take responsibility.”
The incident also raises questions about Disney’s support for its talent. Unlike Gal Gadot, who maintained a low profile amid the controversies, Zegler was thrust into the spotlight, her every move dissected. The lack of a robust PR shield, despite the social media guru, suggests a disconnect between the studio’s expectations and her reality, potentially exacerbating her breakdown.
What Lies Ahead?
As of now, Zegler’s condition remains unclear, with her team requesting privacy. Disney has not confirmed the Snow White pullback officially, though industry insiders expect a formal announcement soon. The film’s fate—whether it resurfaces on another platform or fades into obscurity—remains uncertain. For Zegler, the path forward is equally murky. Her next project, She Gets It From Me, an indie comedy, could offer redemption, but the Snow White fallout may deter major studios.
Fans are divided, with some rallying behind her resilience and others predicting a career setback. The collapse footage, raw and unfiltered, has humanized a figure often reduced to headlines, prompting a rare moment of empathy in an otherwise polarized discourse. For Disney, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of pushing controversial narratives without a clear strategy to support its stars.
This saga, unfolding in real-time, encapsulates the volatile intersection of celebrity, corporate interests, and cultural debates. Zegler’s collapse backstage is more than a personal crisis—it’s a symbol of a film industry grappling with its past while navigating an unpredictable future. As the footage continues to circulate, the world watches, waiting to see if this fairytale princess can rise again.
