Rachel Zegler, once hailed as Hollywood’s next big star, is reportedly facing a tumultuous period in her career, with insiders claiming she is battling alone as her team descends into chaos. The 23-year-old actress, who burst onto the scene with a Golden Globe-winning performance in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 West Side Story, has been at the center of controversy since the release of Disney’s live-action Snow White remake in March 2025. The film’s commercial failure, coupled with Zegler’s polarizing public statements, has led to a narrative of professional isolation and team dysfunction. However, a closer look at these claims reveals a more complex story—one shaped by industry scapegoating, online misinformation, and Zegler’s own resilience. This article explores the origins of the “solo battle” narrative, the alleged chaos within her team, and what this means for Zegler’s future as of May 21, 2025.

The Backdrop: Snow White and a Career Under Fire

Rachel Zegler’s career trajectory has been a rollercoaster since her breakout role in West Side Story. Her casting as Snow White in Disney’s live-action remake, announced in 2021, initially positioned her as a trailblazer—a Latina actress reimagining a classic Disney princess. However, the film’s release was marred by controversy. Zegler’s comments during the press tour, where she called the 1937 original “outdated” and emphasized a modern, leadership-focused Snow White, drew backlash from fans who felt she was disrespecting a beloved classic. Her social media posts, including a “free Palestine” statement shortly after the trailer debut in August 2024 and a “F*** Donald Trump” message following the 2024 election, further fueled the fire, alienating some audiences and sparking boycott threats.

The film itself underperformed, earning just $143.1 million globally against a $350 million budget, resulting in a reported $115 million loss for Disney. Industry insiders, as noted in a Vanity Fair article (March 29, 2025), quickly pointed fingers at Zegler, blaming her political activism and promotional missteps for the film’s failure. A Variety piece cited anonymous sources claiming Zegler “didn’t understand the repercussions of her actions” for the film and her co-star Gal Gadot, who faced her own backlash for her pro-Israel stance. The narrative of Zegler as the sole culprit for Snow White’s flop has since dominated headlines, painting her as a liability in Hollywood.

The “Solo Battle” Narrative: Industry Scapegoating or Reality?

The claim that Zegler is facing a “solo battle” stems largely from this industry backlash. Hollywood insiders, as reported by Vanity Fair, have positioned her as the scapegoat for Snow White’s failure, with some suggesting her career is in “fierce jeopardy.” A Daily Mail article (April 9, 2025) noted that Zegler’s former West Side Story co-star Ariana DeBose inadvertently fueled the criticism by sharing a quote from Jonah Platt, son of Snow White producer Marc Platt, who blamed Zegler’s “personal politics” for the film’s poor performance. Platt later deleted the post, but the damage was done—Zegler’s reputation took a hit, and the narrative of her fighting alone began to take shape.

This narrative is further complicated by reports of Zegler’s team being in chaos. Posts on X, such as one from @Draculordx (May 21, 2025), claim that Zegler is “left alone” as her team “crumbles,” with her career in crisis. Another post from the same user (May 17, 2025) alleges a scandal during rehearsals for Evita in London, claiming Zegler was “forcibly removed by security” after causing chaos. However, these posts are inconclusive and lack corroboration from credible sources, suggesting they may be rumors designed to generate clicks rather than reflect reality. No mainstream outlet has confirmed the Evita incident, and the production’s status remains unclear, casting doubt on the extent of the alleged chaos.

The idea of Zegler battling solo may also stem from her public isolation following the Snow White fallout. Several Hollywood figures have distanced themselves—Madonna reportedly felt “slighted” by Zegler’s failure to acknowledge her role in Evita (Daily Mail, April 11, 2025), and DeBose’s actions suggested a rift with her former co-star. However, others, like Pedro Pascal, have publicly supported Zegler, with Pascal calling her an “icon” on Instagram in March 2025, despite facing criticism for the gesture. This mixed response from Hollywood underscores the polarized perception of Zegler, but it does not necessarily confirm that she is entirely without support.

The Alleged Team Chaos: Fact or Fiction?

The claim of Zegler’s team being in chaos is a central piece of the “solo battle” narrative, but its validity is questionable. The X posts alleging team dysfunction and the Evita scandal lack substantiation, and no major outlet has reported on specific issues within Zegler’s management or publicity team. A Variety article (April 2, 2025) did mention Disney’s frustration with Zegler’s promotional behavior, including producer Marc Platt flying to New York to address her social media posts, but this pertains to the Snow White campaign rather than her broader team dynamics.

It’s plausible that Zegler’s team faced internal challenges during the Snow White controversy—high-profile flops often lead to finger-pointing and restructuring within a celebrity’s entourage. However, without concrete evidence, the “chaos” narrative may be an exaggeration, possibly fueled by the same misinformation that has plagued Zegler’s public image. For instance, a rumored Simpsons episode mocking Zegler, which she allegedly demanded FOX remove, was debunked as false, with clips traced back to a 2009 episode unrelated to her. This pattern of fabricated controversies suggests that the “team in chaos” claim could be another attempt to sensationalize Zegler’s struggles.

Zegler’s Response: A Pivot to New Projects

Despite the challenges, Zegler is not sitting idle. She has already lined up her next project, an indie romcom titled She Gets It From Me, where she will star alongside Marisa Tomei as the daughter of an ex-punk rocker mother. Announced in late April 2025, the film marks a shift toward smaller, independent projects, a move some see as a strategic retreat from Hollywood’s spotlight. A Daily Mail article (May 1, 2025) noted mixed fan reactions, with some praising the pairing of Zegler and Tomei, while others questioned whether Zegler’s involvement would draw further scrutiny.

Zegler is also reportedly involved in a London production of Evita, playing the titular role of Eva Perón. However, the X posts alleging chaos during rehearsals raise doubts about the project’s stability. A user (@Shelley_OBR, May 18, 2025) asked for updates on the production, citing reports of Zegler walking off set and causing issues with the cast and director. Without confirmation from credible sources, these claims remain speculative, but they contribute to the narrative of Zegler facing professional turbulence.

Critical Examination: Scapegoating and Misinformation

The narrative of Zegler facing a solo battle with her team in chaos must be critically examined. The Snow White flop, while a significant setback, cannot be attributed solely to Zegler. The film faced multiple challenges, including a poorly received trailer, accusations of a “woke” clean-up of dated elements, and tensions between Zegler and Gadot’s political stances. A New Yorker article (April 2, 2025) argued that blaming Zegler is “perversely flattering” to her, ignoring broader issues like Hollywood’s reliance on “moldering I.P.” and the film’s own creative shortcomings. The industry’s rush to scapegoat Zegler reflects a pattern of targeting young actresses for systemic failures, as seen with other stars like Melissa Barrera, who faced backlash after being fired from the Scream franchise for her political views.

The “team in chaos” narrative, while plausible in the wake of a high-profile flop, lacks verifiable evidence. The X posts alleging drama in the Evita production may be part of a broader trend of misinformation targeting Zegler, similar to the fabricated Simpsons controversy. This misinformation amplifies the perception of chaos, making it harder for Zegler to control her narrative. The polarized response from Hollywood—support from figures like Pascal and Halle Bailey, contrasted with criticism from insiders and peers like DeBose—further complicates the idea of her being entirely “solo.” While she may feel isolated in some circles, she is not without allies, as evidenced by fans on social media who continue to champion her resilience.

Implications for Zegler’s Future

Zegler’s future in Hollywood remains uncertain but not without hope. Her pivot to indie projects like She Gets It From Me suggests a strategic move to rebuild her career away from the blockbuster spotlight, a path that has worked for other young actresses facing backlash. The Evita production, if it proceeds, could be a chance for Zegler to showcase her stage talents, leveraging her Broadway experience from Romeo + Juliet—though the Tony Awards snub for that role (Daily Mail, May 1, 2025) indicates she still faces industry skepticism.

The broader implications of Zegler’s situation highlight the challenges young actresses face in navigating fame, politics, and public perception. Her outspokenness on issues like Palestine and Trump has made her a lightning rod for cultural debates, as noted by The Nation (April 8, 2025), which described Snow White as caught in Hollywood’s “culture wars.” This scrutiny, combined with misinformation, creates a hostile environment that can derail even the most promising careers. However, Zegler’s talent—evident in her West Side Story performance and her vocal prowess in Snow White—suggests she has the potential to rebound, provided she can weather the storm and find projects that allow her to shine.

Conclusion: A Star in Crisis, But Not Defeated

The narrative of Rachel Zegler facing a solo battle with her team in chaos, as of May 21, 2025, is a mix of industry scapegoating, unverified rumors, and genuine career challenges. The Snow White flop has undoubtedly damaged her reputation, with insiders quick to blame her for the film’s failure, but the extent of her isolation and team dysfunction remains unclear. While posts on X allege chaos in her Evita production and a crumbling team, these claims lack substantiation, suggesting they may be part of a broader wave of misinformation targeting Zegler.

At 23, Zegler is at a crossroads—facing intense scrutiny but also showing resilience through new projects like She Gets It From Me and Evita. Her story underscores the harsh realities of fame for young actresses, particularly those who dare to speak out on political issues. Whether she emerges from this “solo battle” stronger or succumbs to Hollywood’s unforgiving landscape remains to be seen. For now, Zegler’s talent and determination offer a glimmer of hope, reminding us that even in chaos, a star’s light can still shine through.