As of 04:37 PM +07 on Friday, June 27, 2025, the spotlight has turned to Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old actress known for her roles in West Side Story and Disney’s live-action Snow White, as she bravely shares her struggles with the relentless tide of online negativity. In a series of candid interviews, Zegler has revealed that therapy and anti-anxiety medication have become essential tools in coping with the harsh criticism and mean comments that followed her casting and public statements. This raw disclosure, set against the backdrop of her rising career and the controversial reception of Snow White, has sparked a global conversation about the mental toll of fame, the impact of social media, and the resilience required to navigate both in the modern era.
Rise to Fame and Initial Backlash
Zegler’s journey into the public eye began with her breakout role as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 West Side Story, which earned her a Golden Globe and marked her as a promising talent. Her casting as Snow White in Disney’s 2025 remake, however, thrust her into a maelstrom of controversy. Announced in 2021, the decision to cast a non-white actress in the iconic role drew immediate backlash from some fans who questioned her suitability, igniting a firestorm that intensified with her comments during the 2022 D23 Expo. There, she described the original 1937 film’s Prince Charming as “dated” and a “stalker,” remarks that fueled accusations of disrespecting Disney’s legacy. The situation escalated further with her outspoken political views, including support for Palestine and criticism of Donald Trump, which alienated portions of her audience and amplified the vitriol online.
The Emotional Toll and Turning Point
The emotional toll of this backlash became unbearable, as Zegler detailed in a June 2025 interview with i-D Magazine. “My f****** psychiatrist has seen me through all of it,” she confessed, her language reflecting the raw intensity of her experience. She recounted how her therapist’s blunt reminder—“What you’re going through isn’t normal”—served as a turning point, validating her distress and guiding her toward professional help. Zegler admitted that the negativity left her “just not functioning,” a state that prompted her to start anti-anxiety medication. This admission, echoed in conversations with People and ABC News, underscores a young star grappling with a mental health crisis triggered by the unrelenting scrutiny of her every word and action.
The Snow White Fallout
The Snow White remake, released in March 2025, only deepened the ordeal. Billed as one of Disney’s most expensive films at an estimated $205 million, it underperformed at the box office, grossing far less than anticipated. Critics and fans pointed to Zegler’s public statements as a factor, with some arguing her political stances—such as her “Free Palestine” post on X the day the trailer dropped and her retracted “f*** Donald Trump” comment—distracted from the film’s marketing. Behind the scenes, tensions reportedly flared, with producer Marc Platt flying to New York in 2024 to reprimand her for dragging personal politics into the promotion, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film’s use of CGI dwarfs and narrative changes further fueled online debates, turning Zegler into a lightning rod for criticism, much of it laced with personal attacks on her appearance, ethnicity, and character.
Choosing Positivity Amidst Negativity
Zegler’s response to this hate has been a mix of defiance and self-care. In her i-D interview, she declared, “I think a victim mindset is a choice, and I don’t choose it. I choose positivity and light and happiness.” This stance, repeated across outlets like HuffPost and Times of India, reflects a conscious effort to reframe her experience, though she acknowledges the “really alarming” nature of the comments. She described returning to her family home in New Jersey at the height of the backlash, a retreat that allowed her to lean on therapy and medication as lifelines. “The meds were truly a game-changer,” she told Yahoo, highlighting how they restored her ability to navigate the world with confidence.
The Nature of Mean Comments
The mean comments Zegler faced were not just casual criticism but often vicious and targeted. Online trolls attacked her casting as Snow White, with racist undertones emerging early on, as noted by ScreenRant. Her political opinions—supporting Palestine amid the Gaza conflict and criticizing Trump—drew ire from conservative circles, with Breitbart labeling her a “neurotic nightmare” for her divisiveness. Even her recent success in the West End’s Evita, where she captivated London audiences with “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” on a balcony, faced backlash when some accused her of prioritizing street performers over paying theatergoers, as reported by NPR. These incidents illustrate a pattern of scrutiny that has tested her mental fortitude, pushing her to seek professional support.
Therapy and Medication as Coping Mechanisms
Therapy has been a cornerstone of Zegler’s coping strategy. Her psychiatrist’s validation of her abnormal circumstances provided a psychological anchor, helping her process the barrage of negativity. This approach aligns with a growing trend among young celebrities, as seen with figures like Selena Gomez, who have openly discussed mental health challenges. Zegler’s use of medication, particularly anti-anxiety drugs, marks a practical step to manage the anxiety that paralyzed her, a decision she credits with restoring her functionality. This openness contrasts with the entertainment industry’s historical stigma around mental health, positioning her as a voice for vulnerability in Hollywood.
Public Reaction and Cultural Context
The impact of her disclosures extends beyond her personal story. Social media reactions reveal a divided public. Supporters praise her resilience, with posts celebrating her choice of “positivity over victimhood,” while detractors argue she brought the criticism upon herself with her outspokenness, echoing OutKick’s critique of her hypocrisy. Fans have also highlighted her gracious handling of incidents, like diffusing a confrontation with a bodyguard at the Evita stage door, as evidence of her growth, per Fangirlish. This duality reflects broader cultural tensions around celebrity accountability and the right to privacy in the digital age.
Career Trajectory and Industry Dynamics
Zegler’s career trajectory adds context to her struggles. After West Side Story, she joined The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and is set to star in She Gets It from Me with Marisa Tomei. Her Evita role, directed by Jamie Lloyd, has been a critical success, yet the Snow White fallout looms large. The film’s commercial failure—attributed partly to her comments—has led some to label her “box office poison,” a narrative Breitbart pushed early on. Her decision to address this through therapy and medication, rather than retreating, challenges this label, suggesting a star determined to rise above the noise.
Challenging the Establishment Narrative
The establishment narrative often frames Zegler’s backlash as a consequence of her own actions, with Disney and producers like Platt distancing themselves from her political stances. However, this overlooks the disproportionate nature of the hate, which included death threats and racist slurs, as noted by The Shillong Times. Critics question whether her youth—24 years old—and inexperience amplified her missteps, but her choice to seek help rather than succumb suggests a maturity beyond her years. The lack of institutional support from Disney during the crisis, hinted at in Deadline reports of Platt’s reprimand, raises questions about how studios protect their talent from online mobs.
Broader Implications
The broader implications are significant. Zegler’s story highlights the mental health crisis facing young celebrities in the social media era, where every comment can ignite a firestorm. Her advocacy for Palestine and other causes, despite career risks, aligns with a generation using platforms to voice dissent, as seen with Ben Platt’s support. Her reliance on therapy and pills challenges the glamorized image of stardom, pushing for a more honest dialogue about its downsides. This could influence how future actors navigate fame, potentially encouraging studios to offer mental health resources.
Conclusion
As of June 27, 2025, Zegler continues to perform in Evita, her resilience on display as she balances criticism with acclaim. Her openness about pills and therapy has not only humanized her but also sparked a movement among fans to combat online hate, with campaigns like #SupportRachel gaining traction. Whether this moment defines her legacy or fades into the noise of Hollywood, it underscores a young woman’s fight to reclaim her narrative amidst a storm of mean comments, proving that vulnerability can be a source of strength.
