In the ever-churning world of Hollywood controversies, few have sparked as much debate in 2025 as Joe Rogan’s pointed critique of Rachel Zegler’s alleged poor work attitude during the production and promotion of Disney’s live-action Snow White. The 24-year-old actress, celebrated for her breakout role in West Side Story (2021), has faced relentless scrutiny since the film’s troubled release in March 2025. Rogan, the polarizing host of The Joe Rogan Experience, ignited a firestorm in April 2025 when he and comedian Kurt Metzger discussed the film’s $300-million box office failure, placing significant blame on Zegler’s conduct. While Rogan’s comments were framed as industry insight, they’ve fueled a broader narrative about Zegler’s professionalism, the pressures of young stardom, and the cultural lightning rod that Snow White has become. This article delves into Rogan’s accusations, Zegler’s response, the Snow White debacle, and the implications for both figures in a polarized Hollywood landscape.
The Spark: Rogan’s Podcast Critique
On the April 2, 2025, episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan and guest Kurt Metzger dissected the catastrophic performance of Disney’s Snow White, which grossed just $205.6 million globally against a $370-million budget. The conversation turned to Zegler, with Rogan suggesting that her “poor work attitude” and lack of discipline contributed to the film’s failure. “You get some young girl, and you don’t kind of talk to her about like, ‘Hey, don’t get political, you’re young, and I know you have opinions about things, but this should just be about the movie,’” Rogan said, implying Disney failed to guide Zegler’s public persona. He pointed to her outspoken political comments, including a 2024 X post ending with “free Palestine,” as evidence of unprofessionalism that alienated audiences. Rogan further criticized her for a 2025 promotional event where she was caught streaming Minecraft instead of discussing Snow White, calling it “a sign she wasn’t taking the gig seriously.”
Metzger echoed Rogan’s sentiments but offered nuance, arguing that Zegler, at 23 during filming, was unfairly scapegoated. “I mean, I know she sucks, but she is very young. She didn’t write that script though, right? And I don’t think she made the no-dwarves decision,” he said, referencing the controversial choice to use CGI dwarfs instead of actors with dwarfism. Metzger suggested the studio leveraged Zegler’s missteps, like her political posts, to deflect blame for broader production failures. Rogan, however, doubled down, jokingly calling for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to investigate the film’s $270-million production budget, quipping, “They spent $250 million bucks making that movie? That’s insane.” The episode, which garnered millions of streams, amplified the narrative that Zegler’s attitude tanked a Disney flagship.
The Snow White Context: A Troubled Production
Disney’s Snow White, directed by Marc Webb and produced by Marc Platt, aimed to reimagine the 1937 animated classic with a modern feminist twist, casting Zegler as a proactive Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. The film, featuring new songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and script contributions from Greta Gerwig, promised a bold update but faced challenges from the start. Filming in 2022 was disrupted by a set fire, COVID-19 protocols, and 2023 industry strikes, inflating costs to $270 million, with an additional $100 million in marketing. Leaked set photos of CGI dwarfs sparked backlash, with critics like Peter Dinklage calling the decision “fucking backward.” Negative test screenings in 2024 led to costly reshoots, yet the film opened to a mere $42.2 million domestically and $86.1 million globally, projecting a $300-million loss.
The film’s 62% Rotten Tomatoes score and B+ CinemaScore reflected mixed reception, with critics praising Zegler’s vocals but slamming the “uncanny” CGI and uneven narrative. Audience fatigue with Disney’s live-action remakes, coupled with controversies over Zegler’s casting and comments, hobbled its performance. Zegler’s 2022 remark that the original’s love story was “weird” and her 2024 political posts, including support for Palestine, drew ire from conservative fans, while Gadot’s Israeli background added fuel to the culture-war fire. The Minecraft incident, where Zegler was caught gaming during a promotional Q&A, further painted her as unprofessional, with headlines screaming “Zegler humiliated!”
Zegler’s Response: Defiance and Resilience
Zegler didn’t shy away from addressing Rogan’s critique. In a June 2025 i-D magazine interview, she fired back: “I’m not here to be anyone’s idea of a perfect princess. I work hard, I sing my heart out, and I stand by what I believe. If that’s a ‘bad attitude,’ then so be it.” She revealed the toll of the backlash, crediting therapy and medication for helping her cope with “vicious” online attacks. “The idea that I’m not professional because I’m young or outspoken is just lazy,” she added, pointing to her rigorous preparation for Snow White, which included vocal training and months of stunt work. Zegler also addressed the Minecraft gaffe, calling it a “human moment” blown out of proportion by a media eager to vilify her.
Her supporters rallied on X, with posts like, “Rachel Zegler is being dragged for being real in a fake industry. Rogan’s just piling on.” West Side Story co-star James Olivas told The Hollywood Reporter that Zegler faced unfair scrutiny as a young woman of color, noting, “She’s a target because she’s not afraid to speak her mind.” Conversely, detractors on X amplified Rogan’s narrative, with comments like, “Zegler’s ego and politics sank Snow White. She needs to grow up.” The polarized reactions underscored the challenges of navigating fame in an era where social media amplifies every misstep.
The Broader Picture: Disney’s Role and Industry Dynamics
Rogan’s critique, while focused on Zegler, also pointed to Disney’s mismanagement. He argued the studio failed to coach Zegler on public relations, a sentiment echoed by insiders who told Variety that Disney was “mildly embarrassed” by her actions but reluctant to intervene forcefully due to her rising star status. Reports suggest producer Marc Platt met with Zegler to address her political posts, and Disney hired a social media consultant to monitor her activity, indicating internal frustration. Yet, Rogan and Metzger emphasized that the film’s failure wasn’t solely Zegler’s fault, citing the bloated budget, controversial CGI, and a script that alienated traditional fans.
The Snow White saga reflects broader industry trends. Disney’s live-action remakes, once surefire hits, are facing diminishing returns, with Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) and Peter Pan & Wendy (2023) also underperforming. The decision to use CGI dwarfs, prompted by Dinklage’s 2022 criticism, backfired, with fans and actors like Martin Klebba, who voiced a dwarf, expressing disappointment. The film’s political undertones, amplified by Zegler’s and Gadot’s opposing stances, turned it into a culture-war flashpoint, with red-state audiences contributing a surprising 40% of ticket sales despite online boycotts.
Implications for Zegler and Rogan
For Zegler, the controversy hasn’t derailed her career. Her upcoming roles in A24’s Y2K, She Gets It From Me with Marisa Tomei, and a 2025 West End production of Evita signal a robust future. Her IMDb Starmeter ranking at No. 1 in August 2025 reflects enduring fan support, and early Snow White screenings praised her “luminous” performance. Still, the backlash has taken a toll, with Zegler admitting to retreating to New Jersey to escape media scrutiny. Her defiance in the face of Rogan’s accusations positions her as a Gen Z icon unafraid to challenge Hollywood norms, but it also highlights the risks of outspokenness in a risk-averse industry.
Rogan, meanwhile, has faced his own criticism for targeting Zegler. Some X users accused him of “punching down” at a young actress, while others praised his candor about Hollywood’s dysfunction. His comments align with his broader critiques of “woke” culture, resonating with his audience but alienating progressive fans. The episode’s viral reach—amplified by outlets like TheQuartering and calfkicker.com—underscored Rogan’s influence, though his focus on Zegler’s attitude over systemic issues like Disney’s budgeting drew accusations of oversimplification.
Conclusion: A Tale of Talent and Turmoil
Joe Rogan’s accusation that Rachel Zegler’s poor work attitude doomed Snow White has added fuel to an already fiery Hollywood saga. While Zegler’s political outspokenness and Minecraft misstep contributed to the film’s troubled narrative, the $300-million crisis stems from a confluence of factors—production chaos, audience fatigue, and cultural polarization. Zegler’s bold response, embracing her authenticity over Disney’s expectations, cements her as a polarizing yet resilient figure. As Disney pivots to streaming and new IP, and Zegler prepares for her next chapter, the Snow White debacle serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes and higher scrutiny facing young stars in today’s Hollywood.
