Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old actress who rose to fame with a Golden Globe-winning performance in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021), has found herself at the center of yet another storm following her controversial role in Disney’s live-action Snow White remake. After months of speculation about her standing with the entertainment giant, reports have surfaced that Disney has quietly severed ties with Zegler following the film’s disastrous box office performance and the ensuing backlash. But what has truly set the internet ablaze is Zegler’s latest statement—a shocking declaration that has reignited debates about her career, her outspoken persona, and Disney’s handling of its rising stars. As of June 2, 2025, this unfolding saga raises questions about the cost of authenticity in Hollywood and whether Zegler can rebound from this career-defining moment.
The Snow White Debacle: A Career in Crisis
Disney’s live-action Snow White, released in March 2025, was meant to be a triumphant moment for Zegler, who starred as the titular princess opposite Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen. The $240 million remake, one of Disney’s most expensive live-action projects to date, aimed to modernize the 1937 animated classic with a feminist twist, reimagining Snow White as a leader rather than a damsel in distress. However, the film has been mired in controversy since its inception, facing criticism over its CGI dwarfs, Zegler’s casting as a Latina actress in a traditionally Caucasian role, and her vocal political stances, including her support for Palestine and anti-Trump comments following the 2024 U.S. election.
The film’s box office performance was nothing short of catastrophic. Despite grossing $169 million worldwide by April 2025, as reported by Box Office Mojo, it fell far short of its $240 million budget, with estimates suggesting Disney could lose up to $115 million when all costs are factored in. Critical reception was equally harsh, with the film earning a 40% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and a dismal 1.6 out of 10 on IMDb, where it was review-bombed by detractors. ScreenRant’s Rachel Labonte gave the film a 5 out of 10, noting the “artificial sheen” of the CGI dwarfs and an anticlimactic ending, though she praised Zegler’s performance as a highlight.
Zegler herself became a lightning rod for criticism. Her comments during the promotional cycle—calling the original 1937 film “weird” and the prince a “stalker”—drew ire from fans who felt she disrespected Disney’s legacy. David Hand Jr., son of the original Snow White director, publicly stated that Walt Disney and his father “would be turning in their graves.” Additionally, Zegler’s political posts, including a tweet at Disney’s D23 expo in 2024 that ended with “and always remember, free Palestine,” sparked backlash from some audiences and reportedly led to a meeting with producer Marc Platt, who flew to New York to address her social media activity. While Zegler refused to delete the post, she later apologized for other comments, including an anti-Trump Instagram post after his 2024 reelection, where she wrote that his supporters “will never know peace.”
The fallout from Snow White has had tangible effects on Disney’s strategy. The studio paused production on a planned live-action Tangled remake, signaling a reevaluation of its live-action remake pipeline. Meanwhile, posts on X in April 2025 suggested that Disney had “canceled” Zegler for being a “brand risk,” though no official statement confirmed this at the time. However, by late May 2025, sources close to the studio indicated that Disney had quietly ended its professional relationship with Zegler, opting not to involve her in future projects. This decision, while not publicly announced, appeared to mark the end of Zegler’s Snow White career with Disney—a significant blow for an actress who was once hailed as a rising star.
Zegler’s Shocking Statement: A Defiant Stand
Amidst this career upheaval, Zegler dropped a bombshell on June 1, 2025, during an Instagram Live session while rehearsing for her upcoming role as Eva Perón in the West End revival of Evita, set to open on June 14 at the London Palladium. Addressing her followers, Zegler spoke candidly about her experience with Disney and the Snow White backlash, saying, “I gave Disney my heart, my voice, and my truth, but they turned their back on me the moment I stopped fitting their mold. If that’s what it means to be a princess in their world, then I’d rather be a villain in mine.”
The statement sent shockwaves through social media, with fans and critics alike interpreting it as a scathing rebuke of Disney’s corporate culture and its handling of her career. Zegler’s declaration that she’d “rather be a villain” than conform to Disney’s expectations was seen as a defiant stand against the studio’s pressure to silence her political views and personal authenticity. Some praised her for her bravery, with one X user writing, “Rachel Zegler just called out Disney for what it is—a machine that chews up and spits out anyone who doesn’t play by their rules. Respect.” Others, however, felt the comment was a reckless move that could further damage her career, with another user noting, “She’s burning bridges she might need later. Hollywood doesn’t forgive easily.”
Zegler’s statement also reignited debates about her role in Snow White’s failure. While many have blamed her outspokenness for the film’s poor performance, others argue that the project was doomed from the start due to broader issues, including Disney’s missteps in marketing and the film’s creative choices. Zack Peter, host of the No Filter podcast, suggested in April 2025 that Disney failed to adequately prepare Zegler for her press tour, pointing to a lack of media training as a contributing factor. “If you’re going to attach yourself to a big brand like Disney, you have to play by their rules,” Peter told Fox News Digital. Yet this perspective overlooks the systemic challenges Zegler faced, including racist backlash to her casting and the studio’s own inability to navigate the cultural sensitivities of a modern remake.
A Career at a Crossroads
Despite the Snow White debacle, Zegler has not slowed down. She made her Broadway debut in 2024, starring as Juliet in a Gen-Z-styled revival of Romeo + Juliet opposite Kit Connor, though she was snubbed for a Tony Award nomination in May 2025, as reported by the Daily Mail. Her next film, She Gets It From Me, opposite Marisa Tomei, was announced in April 2025 as a potential comeback vehicle, offering Zegler a chance to move past the Disney controversy. Additionally, her role in Evita has generated buzz, though ticket sales for the 12-week run have reportedly been sluggish, a possible sign of lingering fallout from the Snow White saga.
Zegler’s career trajectory mirrors her earlier successes. Her breakout role in West Side Story earned her critical acclaim, though the film underperformed at the box office with $76 million against a $100 million budget. She followed this with a successful turn in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), which grossed $349 million worldwide, and a smaller role in Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Despite Snow White’s failure, the film pushed Zegler’s cumulative box office total past $700 million, making it her second-highest-grossing movie, according to The Numbers. This milestone highlights her potential as a bankable star, even amidst controversy.
However, the Snow White experience has undoubtedly left scars. Reports of tensions with co-star Gal Gadot, fueled by their differing political stances on the Israel-Palestine conflict, and a rumored falling out with West Side Story co-star Ariana DeBose, who inadvertently quoted criticism of Zegler in April 2025, suggest that Zegler’s outspokenness has strained professional relationships. Jonah Platt, son of Snow White producer Marc Platt, publicly called Zegler “narcissistic” in a now-deleted Instagram post, blaming her for the film’s failure—a sentiment that reflects the broader narrative pinning the blame on her.
A Critical Perspective: Who’s Really to Blame?
While Zegler has borne the brunt of the backlash, a closer examination reveals a more complex picture. Disney’s decision to reimagine Snow White as a feminist leader was a bold move, but the execution—particularly the CGI dwarfs and a lackluster ending—drew criticism independent of Zegler’s involvement. The studio’s scaled-back promotional approach, likely an attempt to mitigate controversy, may have backfired by failing to generate excitement for the film. Moreover, the racist backlash to Zegler’s casting highlights a deeper issue within Disney’s audience—some fans’ resistance to race-blind casting, as noted in ScreenRant’s coverage of the film’s controversies.
Zegler’s political statements, while polarizing, also reflect a generational shift among young actors who prioritize authenticity over conformity. Her refusal to delete her “free Palestine” post, despite pressure from Disney, underscores her commitment to her values—a trait that resonates with many of her Gen-Z fans. Critics like Sean Ono Lennon, who berated Zegler in April 2025, and journalist Megyn Kelly, who called her a “pig” after her anti-Trump comments, represent a vocal minority intent on punishing her for speaking out. Yet this narrative ignores the structural challenges young actresses face in Hollywood, where they are often scapegoated for a project’s failure while systemic issues—like poor creative decisions or studio mismanagement—are overlooked.
What’s Next for Rachel Zegler?
Zegler’s shocking statement may have burned bridges with Disney, but it also positions her as a voice for a new generation of artists unwilling to compromise their principles. Her upcoming projects, from She Gets It From Me to Evita, offer opportunities to redefine her career on her own terms. While some in Hollywood may view her as a liability, others see her as a talent worth investing in. As one industry insider told Variety in April 2025, “Rachel is still very early in her career. One flop doesn’t define her.”
The Snow White saga raises broader questions about Disney’s live-action remake strategy and the expectations placed on young stars in the social media age. For Zegler, the road ahead will likely be challenging, but her resilience and talent suggest she’s far from finished. Whether she’ll rise above this controversy or be defined by it remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: Rachel Zegler is not going down without a fight.
