The release of Disney’s live-action Snow White on March 21, 2025, was meant to be a triumphant reimagining of the 1937 animated classic, but instead, it became one of the studio’s most high-profile disappointments, grossing just $205 million worldwide against a $270 million budget. The film, starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, was mired in controversy from the start, with backlash over its modernized narrative, casting choices, and the rumored off-screen tension between its leads. In a bombshell interview on August 16, 2025, Gadot broke her silence on the film’s failure, attributing its poor performance to external pressures and pointedly addressing her dynamic with Zegler. Her comments have left fans stunned, sparked heated debates online, and reportedly left Zegler speechless, reigniting speculation about their strained relationship and the true reasons behind Snow White’s collapse.
A Troubled Fairy Tale
Snow White was envisioned as a bold update to Disney’s first-ever animated feature, with Zegler’s Snow White reimagined as a leader aspiring to rule her kingdom and Gadot’s Evil Queen as a cunning, glamorous villain. Directed by Marc Webb and featuring new songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the film aimed to balance nostalgia with a contemporary feminist perspective. However, the production faced challenges from the outset. Zegler’s 2022 comments criticizing the original film’s “dated” portrayal of women and its “stalker-y” prince drew ire from fans, who accused her of disrespecting a beloved classic. The decision to replace the seven dwarfs with CGI “magical creatures” also sparked backlash, with actors like Martin Klebba arguing it sidelined opportunities for little people.
The film’s promotional campaign was further complicated by the contrasting political stances of its stars. Zegler, a vocal supporter of the Free Palestine movement, posted “free Palestine” on X alongside the film’s trailer in August 2024, prompting Disney to scale back its press events. Gadot, an Israeli actress and former IDF soldier, has been outspoken in her support for Israel, creating a perceived rift that fueled rumors of a feud. The Los Angeles premiere on March 15, 2025, was a low-key affair, with limited press and the stars kept apart, amplifying speculation. By the time Snow White hit theaters, it was battling a perfect storm of controversy, poor reviews (41% on Rotten Tomatoes), and audience disinterest, cementing its status as Disney’s worst-performing live-action remake in nearly a decade.
Gadot’s Explosive Interview
In a candid appearance on the Israeli TV show Special Interview on August 16, 2025, hosted by her friend Rotem Sela, Gadot addressed the film’s failure for the first time. The show, known for its no-holds-barred format featuring questions from journalists with autism spectrum disorder, provided a platform for Gadot to speak openly. “I really enjoyed filming that movie,” she began, emphasizing her positive experience on set. “I even enjoyed working with Rachel Zegler. We laughed, we talked, we had fun. I was positive the movie was going to be a huge hit.” However, her tone shifted as she addressed the film’s downfall, pointing to external pressures as the primary culprit.
Gadot specifically highlighted the timing of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, which intensified global scrutiny on celebrities’ political stances. “There was a lot of pressure put on celebrities, actors, creators to post against Israel,” she said. “I was disappointed that the movie was incredibly affected by all of that and that it didn’t do well at the box office.” Her comments suggested that Zegler’s pro-Palestine activism, particularly her viral X post, contributed to the film’s poor reception, as it alienated portions of the audience and sparked boycott campaigns. While Gadot didn’t directly name Zegler, the implication was clear, and fans interpreted it as a pointed critique of her co-star.
Gadot also addressed her decision not to wear a yellow ribbon pin, symbolizing solidarity with Israeli hostages, at the 2025 Golden Globes, a choice that upset some in Israel. “I am Israeli and a proud one at that,” she said. “But with the Golden Globes, there are brands and collaborations involved, and it didn’t feel right to wear the pin for work.” Her remarks underscored the delicate balance she navigated during the film’s promotion, caught between her personal beliefs and professional obligations.
Fan Reactions and Online Firestorm
Gadot’s comments ignited a firestorm on social media, with fans and detractors taking sides in what many see as a continuation of the Zegler-Gadot feud. On X, posts ranged from support for Gadot—“Gal’s right, the boycott hurt the movie, and Rachel’s post didn’t help!”—to fierce defense of Zegler: “Blaming Rachel for speaking out against injustice? Gal’s out of touch.” The hashtag #BoycottSnowWhite, which trended during the film’s release, resurfaced, with some users accusing Gadot of scapegoating Zegler to deflect from her own controversies, including her past support for the IDF. Others praised Gadot’s candor, arguing that Zegler’s political posts during the promotional period damaged the film’s prospects.
Fans were particularly struck by the contrast between Gadot’s claim of enjoying working with Zegler and their frosty public interactions. At the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, the two presented an award together but barely acknowledged each other, with Zegler leaning away and Gadot maintaining a steely gaze. The March 15 premiere saw them posing for stilted group photos, with body language experts noting “forced and uneasy” smiles. Zegler’s Instagram post on March 21, celebrating her Snow White experience but omitting any mention of Gadot, further fueled speculation. “Rachel’s silence speaks volumes,” one fan posted. “She’s not responding to Gal’s shade, but you can tell she’s hurt.”
Zegler, known for her outspokenness, has not publicly addressed Gadot’s interview, leading to reports that she’s “speechless” over the remarks. Insiders close to the actress suggest she’s focusing on her upcoming projects, including a West Side Story Broadway revival, and avoiding the controversy. However, her fans have rallied around her, pointing to positive reviews of her performance as a highlight of the film. “Rachel was the heart of Snow White,” one supporter wrote. “Blaming her for the flop is unfair when the script and CGI were the real issues.”
The Bigger Picture: Why Snow White Flopped
While Gadot’s comments focus on political backlash, the film’s failure was a culmination of multiple factors. The decision to modernize Snow White’s story, emphasizing leadership over romance, alienated traditionalists who cherished the original’s fairy-tale charm. Zegler’s comments about the 1937 film being “weird” and “sexist” set a negative tone early on, drawing accusations of “woke” pandering. The CGI dwarfs, intended to avoid ableism, were criticized as uncanny and a missed opportunity for authentic casting. Early reviews called the film “muddle-headed” and tonally inconsistent, with Gadot’s performance as the Evil Queen described as “flat” by some critics, further complicating the narrative around her comments.
Disney’s promotional strategy also faltered. The studio scaled back the Los Angeles premiere to avoid tough questions, opting for a children-focused event with limited press. The absence of a traditional red-carpet Q&A and the decision to keep Zegler and Gadot apart during promotion fueled perceptions of a feud, overshadowing the film itself. The broader context of Hollywood’s struggles with remakes didn’t help, as audiences grew wary of Disney’s live-action adaptations after mixed responses to Mufasa: The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. “People are tired of remakes that don’t capture the original magic,” one analyst noted. “Snow White got caught in that wave.”
Zegler and Gadot: A Fractured Dynamic
The rumored tension between Zegler and Gadot has been a focal point since 2021, when Zegler was cast as Snow White and Gadot joined as the Evil Queen. Their differing views on the Israel-Palestine conflict—Zegler’s pro-Palestine stance versus Gadot’s pro-Israel advocacy—created an undercurrent of unease, amplified by Zegler’s “free Palestine” post and Gadot’s subsequent Instagram story quoting Martin Luther King Jr. about love overcoming hate. Reports of producer Marc Platt flying to New York to ask Zegler to remove her post, which she refused, and Disney hiring a social media strategist to monitor her activity underscored the studio’s efforts to manage the fallout.
Despite Gadot’s claim of a positive working relationship, sources suggest the set was “ice-cold” at times, with the actresses maintaining professionalism but little warmth. Zegler’s Instagram comment calling Gadot a “professional pageant queen” after their Oscars appearance was seen as a subtle jab, further straining their dynamic. Gadot, meanwhile, faced her own challenges, including death threats that prompted Disney to bolster her security. The polarized reactions to their political stances have made Snow White a lightning rod for broader cultural debates, with fans divided over who bears more responsibility for the film’s failure.
What’s Next for Snow White’s Stars?
As the dust settles, both actresses are moving forward. Zegler, at 23, remains a rising star, with her Snow White performance earning praise despite the film’s flaws. She’s set to star in a Romeo and Juliet adaptation and the West Side Story revival, proving her resilience amid the backlash. Gadot, 39, continues to build her career, with the upcoming action thriller The Runner slated for 2026. Her comments on Snow White have sparked mixed reactions, with some admiring her honesty and others criticizing her for shifting blame.
The Snow White saga has become a cautionary tale for Disney, highlighting the risks of navigating political controversies and audience expectations in a polarized world. For fans, Gadot’s remarks have added fuel to an already fiery debate, leaving Zegler’s silence as a powerful statement. As Snow White finds a second life on Disney+, where streaming numbers are reportedly stronger, the question remains: will the fairy tale’s legacy endure, or will it be forever overshadowed by its real-world drama?
