The highly anticipated live-action remake of Disney’s Snow White (2025) has been mired in controversy, but the latest buzz isn’t about CGI dwarfs or casting choices—it’s about the apparent rift between its leading ladies, Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. Zegler, who stars as Snow White, has conspicuously omitted Gadot, the film’s Evil Queen, from her social media posts celebrating the movie’s production and release. This absence, coupled with Gadot’s no-show at key promotional events, has fueled speculation of a deep-seated feud, reportedly rooted in their opposing political views on the Israel-Palestine conflict. As fans dissect every post and public appearance, the question looms: Is the tension between these two stars as dramatic as it appears, or is it simply a case of professional distance amplified by the rumor mill?
The Spark: Zegler’s Social Media Silence on Gadot
Rachel Zegler, a 24-year-old actress whose star has risen with roles in West Side Story and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, has been vocal about her transformative experience filming Snow White. In a March 2025 Instagram post, she described the project as a “life-changing experience” that spanned four years of her career, from age 20 to 23. “I became a full-blown adult during this film—learning hard lessons, doing hard things, laughing, crying, turning 21, living across the ocean from my family, making new friends, and completely falling in love with everyone I worked with over three magical summers in London,” she wrote, praising the “greatest film crew in the world.”
Yet, notably absent from her posts were any mentions or images of Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, despite their shared prominence in the film. Zegler’s posts featured behind-the-scenes moments with co-stars, crew members, and even the controversial CGI dwarfs, but Gadot was nowhere to be seen. This omission was particularly striking given Gadot’s high-profile status as a former Wonder Woman star and her pivotal role in the film. Fans on X quickly noticed, with one user commenting, “Rachel’s Snow White posts are all love and gratitude, but no Gal Gadot? That’s sus.” The absence became a lightning rod for speculation, especially after reports surfaced of a falling-out following their joint appearance at the 2025 Oscars.
The Backdrop: A Tale of On-Screen and Off-Screen Rivalry
Snow White, directed by Marc Webb and released on March 21, 2025, reimagines Disney’s 1937 animated classic with a modern twist. Zegler’s Snow White is portrayed as a leader aspiring to fulfill her late father’s vision, while Gadot’s Evil Queen is a complex, envious stepmother driven by insecurity. The film’s narrative pits the two characters against each other in a battle of beauty and power, a dynamic that seems to have spilled into real life. According to Daily Mail, the tension between Zegler and Gadot, who is 16 years her senior, extends beyond their on-screen rivalry, with their differing political stances on the Israel-Palestine conflict at the heart of the discord.,
Gadot, born in Israel and a former soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, has been vocal in her support for her homeland, sharing pro-Israel messages on social media. In contrast, Zegler, a Colombian-American actress, has publicly supported Palestine since 2021, advocating for humanitarian aid in Gaza. These opposing views reportedly created friction during the filming of Snow White, with sources claiming the two actresses “don’t have anything in common” and are “not friends.” A People insider revealed that Gadot felt frustrated by the “drama” surrounding the film, stating, “She enjoyed filming. She’s fine with Rachel, but they’re not buddies. They did their job, and that’s it.”
Public Appearances: Smiles or Smokescreens?
The rumored feud gained traction due to Gadot’s absence from key promotional events. On March 12, 2025, Zegler attended a private screening of Snow White in Segovia, Spain, alongside director Marc Webb, but Gadot was notably missing. Sources told People that Gadot skipped the event to attend a press conference in New York, dismissing claims that she was avoiding Zegler. However, her absence from the Segovia event, coupled with Zegler’s solo appearance at a Disneyland promotional event in California on March 16, intensified speculation.,
The duo did appear together at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on March 15 and at the 2025 Oscars, where they presented an award. At the premiere, they posed for photos, but observers noted a “certain distance” between them. Body language expert Judi James, quoted in Daily Mail, analyzed their interactions, observing that Gadot’s “upright, formal” posture and Zegler’s “mirrored stance” suggested a lack of warmth. “There was no clear touching or bonding rituals in those images,” James noted, though she cautioned that Gadot’s reserved demeanor might not specifically target Zegler.
A reported incident at the Oscars added fuel to the fire. According to the New York Post, Zegler made a “dismissive comment” about Gadot post-ceremony, which contributed to their falling-out. While the exact comment remains undisclosed, it reportedly strained their already fragile rapport. Neither actress has directly addressed the rumor, maintaining a professional silence that has only deepened public curiosity.
The Film’s Reception: A Tale of Two Performances
The off-screen drama has overshadowed Snow White’s release, despite mixed but generally positive early reviews. Critics have praised Zegler’s performance, with Variety calling her a “true star” who brings depth to a reimagined Snow White, emphasizing leadership over romance. Her vocal performances, particularly in new songs like “Waiting on a Wish,” have been lauded for their emotional resonance.,
Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen, however, has received mixed feedback. While her striking visuals and regal presence have been celebrated—The New York Times noted her “Snow White smile” and “theatrical flair”—some reviews, like Bao Lam Dong’s, criticized her performance as “flat” and her singing as “monotonous,” lacking the menace of past Evil Queens like Charlize Theron’s in Snow White and the Huntsman., Despite this, Gadot’s role has drawn significant attention, with fans on X declaring, “I’m only watching for Gal Gadot’s Queen.”
The film itself has faced challenges, including a $270 million budget and a disappointing $16 million global box office haul to date, far below expectations. Controversies over Zegler’s casting, her comments dismissing the original film’s “stalker” prince, and the use of CGI dwarfs have also fueled backlash. Gadot’s pro-Israel stance and Zegler’s pro-Palestine advocacy have further politicized the project, with some fans threatening to boycott due to their respective positions.,
The Root of the Feud: Politics or Personality?
The reported tension between Zegler and Gadot appears to hinge on their political differences, particularly regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Zegler’s vocal support for Palestine, including sharing donation links for Gaza relief, has contrasted sharply with Gadot’s pro-Israel posts, which have drawn criticism from pro-Palestine advocates. Tien Phong reported that these opposing stances have led to fan-driven boycotts, with some pro-Palestine viewers opposing Gadot’s involvement and pro-Israel fans questioning Disney’s casting of her as a villain.
Beyond politics, personal and professional differences may also play a role. Gadot, at 40, is a seasoned star with a family of four children and a recent health scare—a brain blood clot during her 2024 pregnancy—that has shifted her priorities. Thanh Nien described her as being at the “peak of her life,” balancing a thriving career with a happy marriage. Zegler, meanwhile, is a young actress navigating rapid fame, recent controversies over her Snow White comments, and a new romance with Evita dancer Nathan Louis-Fernand. Their generational gap and differing life stages may have limited their ability to connect, as suggested by the People source who noted their lack of common ground.
Public and Media Reactions
The absence of Gadot in Zegler’s posts has sparked a frenzy on social media. On X, fans are divided, with some supporting Zegler’s focus on her own experience—“She doesn’t have to post about Gal if they’re not close”—and others seeing it as a deliberate snub. “Rachel’s posts are all about the crew and dwarfs, but no Evil Queen? That’s shade,” one user wrote. Reddit threads on r/popculturechat have speculated about a deeper rift, with users citing Zegler’s Oscars comment as evidence of personal animosity.
Media outlets have amplified the narrative, with Thanh Nien and Tien Phong framing the tension as a clash of politics and personalities. Daily Mail’s coverage of their “forced smiles” at the LA premiere and Page Six’s report on Gadot’s absence in Spain have kept the story alive., Critics like Bao Lam Dong have expressed disappointment in the film’s handling of the Snow White-Queen dynamic, suggesting the off-screen tension may have impacted their on-screen chemistry.
The Bigger Picture: Hollywood Feuds and Public Scrutiny
The Zegler-Gadot saga reflects broader challenges in Hollywood, where personal beliefs and public personas often collide. The Israel-Palestine conflict has polarized the industry, with stars facing backlash for their stances. Zegler’s 2024 social media tirade against Trump and Gadot’s pro-Israel posts have both drawn scrutiny, illustrating the risks of political outspokenness. The Snow White controversy also highlights the pressure on Disney’s live-action remakes to balance modernization with fidelity to beloved classics, a tightrope Zegler and Gadot have navigated under intense public gaze.
For Zegler, the feud narrative adds to an already challenging year, marked by her Snow White backlash and a high-profile breakup with Josh Andrés Rivera. Her current role as Eva Perón in London’s Evita has been a professional triumph, but the Snow White drama keeps her in the headlines. Gadot, meanwhile, continues to focus on her career and family, with her recent Hollywood Walk of Fame star and upcoming projects signaling her enduring star power.
Looking Ahead: Can They Move Past the Tension?
As Snow White continues its theatrical run, the focus may shift from the Zegler-Gadot feud to the film’s legacy. Both actresses have remained silent on the rumors, a strategy that may help defuse the narrative. Their professional conduct at joint appearances suggests an ability to coexist, even if they’re not friends. Whether their tension is as severe as speculated—driven by politics, personality, or simply differing priorities—remains unclear. What is certain is that the Snow White saga has become as much about its stars’ off-screen dynamics as its on-screen magic.
For now, fans are left to parse Zegler’s posts and Gadot’s absences, searching for clues in a story that may be more about perception than reality. As one X user put it, “Maybe Rachel just didn’t want to post Gal’s pics. Or maybe they hate each other. We’ll never know, but it’s juicy.” In the kingdom of Hollywood, where every gesture is scrutinized, the tale of Snow White and her Evil Queen proves that drama, like a poisoned apple, is never far from the surface.
