On the morning of May 13, 2025, Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old actress known for her roles in West Side Story and Disney’s live-action Snow White, was spotted in New York City looking visibly distressed, sparking concern among her fans. The sighting comes at a tumultuous time for the young star, whose career has been marred by controversies, online hate, and the recent flop of Snow White, which grossed just over $200 million worldwide against a $270 million budget. As Zegler navigates the fallout from her latest project and the pressures of fame, her fans are increasingly worried about her mental health, fearing that the relentless scrutiny may be taking a toll on the once-rising star.
A Troubling Sighting in New York
The sighting occurred outside a small café in Manhattan’s West Village, where Zegler was seen sitting alone at an outdoor table, her face buried in her hands. Witnesses described her as looking “miserable,” with dark circles under her eyes and a somber expression that contrasted sharply with her usual vibrant demeanor. She was dressed casually in a oversized hoodie and sunglasses, seemingly trying to avoid attention, but her body language spoke volumes. “She looked like she’d been crying,” one onlooker noted. “She kept staring at her phone, then put it down and just sat there, completely still, for a long time.”
Photos of the moment quickly circulated on social media, prompting an outpouring of concern from Zegler’s fans, affectionately known as “Zeglerites.” On X, the hashtag #WeLoveRachel trended as supporters shared messages of encouragement, with one user writing, “Seeing Rachel looking so sad breaks my heart. She doesn’t deserve all the hate she’s been getting. We need to lift her up!” Another fan expressed worry about her mental health, referencing past instances where Zegler has been open about the impact of online vitriol: “Rachel has been through so much with the Snow White backlash. I hope she’s okay and taking care of herself.”
This isn’t the first time Zegler’s well-being has come into question. In March 2024, fans grew concerned after she responded to vicious comments on a video of her singing a cover of Katie Gregson-MacLead’s song “Complex.” When a troll asked, “How does it feel knowing you got an award you don’t deserve?” Zegler replied, “Omg should I kill myself?” A week later, another user wrote, “Why are you still alive?” to which she responded, “I don’t know man.” The comments, shared on a Reddit forum, alarmed fans, with one user writing, “I really hope she’s just being sarcastic. :(” Others urged her to step back from social media, noting the toll that constant harassment could take on her mental health.
The Snow White Backlash: A Career in Crisis
Zegler’s recent struggles can be traced back to the controversies surrounding Disney’s live-action Snow White, which premiered on March 21, 2025, to dismal reviews and poor box office performance. The $270 million film, starring Zegler as the titular princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, was plagued by issues from the start. Zegler’s casting as a Latina Snow White in 2021 sparked racist backlash from some fans who argued that the character, historically depicted as “white as snow,” should be played by a white actress. Zegler addressed the criticism at the time, saying in a since-deleted post, “Yes I am Snow White, no I am not bleaching my skin for the role.”
The backlash intensified in 2022 when Zegler made comments about the original 1937 animated film, calling it “dated” and describing the prince as a “guy who literally stalks her.” She also emphasized that the remake would focus on Snow White’s empowerment rather than her love story, stating, “She’s not dreaming about true love. She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.” While some praised the modern take, others accused Zegler of disrespecting the classic, with David Hand Jr., son of the original film’s director, saying, “There’s no respect for what Disney or my father did.” The first trailer for the remake, released in 2024, racked up over a million dislikes, a historically low response that underscored the public’s frustration.
The film’s release was further marred by behind-the-scenes drama. Zegler’s political posts on social media, including a viral “Free Palestine” tweet in August 2024 and anti-Trump comments after the 2024 U.S. election, drew ire from some fans and reportedly strained her relationship with Disney. The studio hired a social media guru to monitor her posts and provided additional security for Gadot, who received death threats amid the controversy. Disney scaled back promotional events, canceling a U.K. premiere and minimizing the Hollywood screening to avoid further backlash. Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Disney had “zero faith” in the film and just wanted to “get the promo over with.”
The critical and commercial failure of Snow White—which finished its theatrical run with just over $200 million worldwide—has put Zegler’s career in jeopardy. Once hailed as Hollywood’s newest darling after her Golden Globe-winning debut in West Side Story in 2021, Zegler is now seen by some as a “scandal-ridden” star, with outlets like the Daily Mail questioning whether she can recover from the “plethora of bad press.” Her comments about the original film, combined with her outspoken political views, have made her a polarizing figure, earning her the unfortunate title of “Hollywood’s most hated actress” in some circles.
A History of Online Hate and Resilience
Zegler’s struggles with public perception are not new. Since her breakout role in West Side Story, she has faced relentless online hate, often rooted in sexism and racism. In a 2023 interview with Variety’s Actors on Actors series alongside Halle Bailey, Zegler opened up about dealing with toxic fans, saying, “Choosing thankfulness and gratefulness is choosing peace.” She revealed that the hate had made her feel “like solid Teflon,” explaining, “Nothing can hurt anymore because they’ve said the worst that can be said.” Despite the harsh criticism, she emphasized her gratitude for her career, noting, “We get to do our work and have that speak for itself instead.”
However, the toll of constant scrutiny has been evident. During the press tour for West Side Story, Zegler was repeatedly asked to address allegations of sexual assault against her co-star Ansel Elgort, a situation that had nothing to do with her but nonetheless impacted her mental health. In a 2022 interview with Elle, she reflected on the experience, saying, “I was being held accountable for accusations that had nothing to do with me… It was promised to be the biggest moment in my life, and I was sitting there having just turned 19, dealing with all of this.”
Zegler has also faced criticism for her outspokenness on other issues. In 2023, she defended Taylor Swift against misogynistic comments about her relationship with Travis Kelce, and she has consistently supported her peers, including Halle Bailey, who faced similar racist backlash for her role as Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Yet, her willingness to speak her mind has often backfired, with some fans and commentators labeling her as “arrogant” or “condescending.” A Reddit thread from 2023 questioned why Zegler receives so much hate compared to other Disney remake stars like Bailey or Naomi Scott, suggesting that her “theater-kid energy” and perceived lack of media training might make her a target for criticism.
Fans Rally in Support Amid Growing Concerns
Despite the controversies, Zegler has a loyal fanbase that continues to rally around her. Following the New York sighting, fans on X and Reddit expressed their support, urging her to prioritize her mental health. “Rachel doesn’t deserve the hate she gets—it’s too much,” one user wrote on BuzzFeed News. Another added, “The hate campaign against her for saying a few things is so scary. I hope she steps back and doesn’t reply to the hate comments.” Some fans pointed out that Zegler also engages with positive comments and interacts with supporters, suggesting that she isn’t solely focused on the negativity.
Recent posts on X have further highlighted fans’ concerns about Zegler’s well-being. On May 11, 2025, a user shared a video claiming that Zegler “broke down live” because “no one showed up” for her London play, though the claim lacks corroboration from credible sources. Another post on May 12 speculated that Zegler skipped the Met Gala on May 5 due to embarrassment over the public’s negative reaction to Snow White. While these posts reflect current sentiment on social media, they are inconclusive and may exaggerate the situation. Nonetheless, they underscore the growing narrative that Zegler is struggling under the weight of public scrutiny.
Zegler’s recent professional endeavors have also drawn attention. After Snow White’s failure, she lined up a role in the 2024 A24 film Y2K and is set to star in a comedy alongside Marisa Tomei, signaling a potential comeback. She has also been performing as Juliette in a Broadway production of Romeo + Juliet, though her absence from the Met Gala and the alleged low turnout at her London play—if true—suggest that she may be facing professional setbacks as well.
A Call for Compassion in the Face of Fame
The sighting of Rachel Zegler looking miserable in New York has reignited discussions about the pressures of fame, particularly for young women in Hollywood. Zegler’s experience mirrors that of other female stars like Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Lawrence, who have also faced disproportionate backlash for their perceived “annoying” traits. As one Reddit user noted in 2023, “Sexism always seems to play a role in how aggressive backlash like this is.” Zegler’s case is particularly striking because she has faced hate from the outset of her career, without the initial “Golden Girl” phase that predecessors enjoyed.
Fans and advocates are now calling for compassion, emphasizing that Zegler, at just 24, is still navigating the complexities of fame. Her openness about the impact of online hate, combined with her recent public appearance, suggests that she may be struggling more than she lets on. Resources like the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) and the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741) have been shared widely in fan communities, reflecting a broader awareness of mental health challenges in the face of public scrutiny.
As Rachel Zegler continues her career, the hope among her supporters is that she can find peace and resilience amid the storm. Whether she can overcome the backlash and reclaim her status as a Hollywood star remains to be seen, but for now, her fans are standing by her, worried yet hopeful that she’ll emerge stronger than ever.
