On May 12, 2025, a new chapter unfolded in the ongoing saga of Rachel Zegler’s career as her team issued a statement attributing the dismal ticket sales of her West End debut in Evita to online trolls. The 23-year-old actress, once hailed as a rising star after her breakout role in West Side Story, has faced a series of professional setbacks in recent months, with her latest project—a London theater production—struggling to fill seats just weeks before its opening. While Zegler’s team insists that the backlash from online trolls is to blame for the poor ticket sales, many are questioning whether this explanation holds water, or if deeper issues in Zegler’s public image and career choices are at play.

A Promising Start Meets a Rocky Road

Rachel Zegler’s ascent to fame began in 2021 with her Golden Globe-winning performance as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. At just 17 years old, she was plucked from obscurity, having been cast after submitting a YouTube audition video. Her powerful vocals and on-screen charisma earned her critical acclaim, and she quickly became a darling of Hollywood, with major roles lined up in projects like Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. However, her career trajectory took a sharp turn with Disney’s live-action Snow White, released in March 2025, which became a lightning rod for controversy and a box office disappointment.

Snow White, with a reported budget of nearly $300 million, grossed only $194.5 million worldwide as of late April 2025, making it one of Disney’s biggest financial flops in recent years. The film faced criticism on multiple fronts: Zegler’s casting as a Latina Snow White sparked racist backlash, her comments about modernizing the character by removing the focus on romance were seen as dismissive of the original 1937 classic, and her outspoken political views—particularly her support for Palestine—drew ire from some fans. Zegler’s remarks in 2022, where she called the original Snow White’s love story “weird” and described the prince as a “stalker,” resurfaced, fueling accusations that she disrespected a beloved classic. Additionally, her post-election Instagram outburst in November 2024, where she stated that President Trump and his supporters should “never know peace,” further alienated a portion of her audience.

The fallout from Snow White has followed Zegler to her latest endeavor, a starring role in Evita at London’s Dominion Theatre. The musical, set to open in July 2025, was intended to be a triumphant return to her musical theater roots, showcasing her vocal talents in the iconic role of Eva Perón. However, reports emerged as early as April 2025 that ticket sales were struggling, with rows of seats remaining unsold weeks before the premiere. By May 9, 2025, YouTube channels and entertainment news outlets began reporting on the “embarrassing” ticket numbers, with some describing the situation as a “disaster” for Zegler’s West End debut.

The Blame Game: Online Trolls or Public Sentiment?

On May 12, 2025, Zegler’s team released a statement claiming that the poor ticket sales were the result of a coordinated campaign by online trolls. They argued that the actress had been unfairly targeted by a vocal minority of internet users who were intent on sabotaging her career following the Snow White controversy. The statement highlighted the “overwhelming” online backlash Zegler has faced, pointing to the racist and misogynistic comments she received after her casting as Snow White, as well as the criticism of her political activism. They suggested that this negative online sentiment had deterred potential theatergoers, creating a ripple effect that impacted ticket sales for Evita.

However, this explanation has been met with skepticism from fans, critics, and industry observers. While Zegler has undoubtedly faced significant online hate—ranging from racist attacks to criticism of her comments about Snow White—many argue that attributing the ticket sales decline solely to trolls oversimplifies the issue. Social media platforms like X have been abuzz with reactions, with some users pointing out that Zegler’s own actions and statements may have contributed to her declining popularity. One X user wrote, “Blaming trolls for Rachel Zegler’s London flop is absurd. She trashed Snow White, alienated fans with her politics, and now expects us to believe it’s all the internet’s fault?” Another user added, “She’s a talented actress, but her team needs to stop playing the victim. People aren’t buying tickets because they’re tired of her attitude, not because of trolls.”

Critics have also noted that Zegler’s public image has taken a hit due to her perceived lack of accountability. Her response to criticism has often been combative, as seen in March 2025 when she fired back at a fan on Instagram who questioned her vocal abilities, touting her role in the commercially unsuccessful West Side Story as proof of her talent. Additionally, her refusal to back down from controversial statements—such as her comments about the original Snow White or her political posts—has led some to view her as out of touch with her audience. A Reddit thread from March 2025 captured this sentiment, with one user commenting, “Don’t remake an old movie if you hate everything about it. What’s the value of attaching a new film to an old name if your disdain for the original can’t even be hidden for PR puff pieces?”

A Pattern of Professional Struggles

The Evita ticket sales decline is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of professional struggles for Zegler. West Side Story, despite critical acclaim, was a box office failure, grossing only $76 million against a $100 million budget. Snow White followed suit, with its $194.5 million global gross falling far short of expectations. The film’s disappointing performance was attributed to a combination of factors, including Zegler’s controversial comments, Disney’s decision to scale back promotional events to avoid “anti-woke” backlash, and a general lack of audience interest in yet another live-action remake. Reports from March 2025 indicated that Disney had “zero faith” in the film, with insiders claiming the studio simply wanted to “get the promo over with.”

Zegler’s team’s decision to blame online trolls for the Evita ticket sales decline echoes a similar narrative from the Snow White fallout. In March 2025, a Disney producer’s son, Jonah Platt, publicly criticized Zegler, calling her narcissistic in a now-deleted post, a sentiment that was later echoed by her West Side Story co-star Ariana DeBose. While DeBose clarified that her post was not aimed at Zegler, the incident highlighted the growing tension surrounding Zegler’s reputation in Hollywood. Some industry insiders have suggested that Zegler’s outspokenness—particularly her progressive views and criticism of traditional Disney narratives—has made her a polarizing figure, potentially impacting her ability to draw audiences.

The Role of Online Trolls in Zegler’s Career

There’s no denying that Zegler has faced significant online harassment throughout her career. When she was cast as Snow White in 2021, she received racist backlash for being a Latina actress in the role, prompting her to defend herself in a since-deleted post: “Yes I am Snow White no I am not bleaching my skin for the role.” During the 2022 SAG-AFTRA strike, she spoke out about the dangers of AI in the film industry, a stance that drew both support and criticism. More recently, her support for Palestine and her comments about Trump have intensified the online vitriol, with trolls targeting her on platforms like X and Instagram.

In interviews, Zegler has addressed the toll this hate has taken on her, but she has also expressed resilience. In a 2023 conversation with Variety, she stated, “Choosing thankfulness and gratefulness is choosing peace,” adding that the online hate had made her feel “like solid Teflon.” She has refused to let trolls drive her off social media, telling Variety in October 2024, “I don’t like to give them the satisfaction of knowing they hurt me in the moment.” However, her responses to criticism have sometimes been seen as defensive or sarcastic, as seen in February 2024 when she replied to a troll’s comment with, “Omg should I kill myself?”—a response that alarmed fans and sparked concern for her mental health.

While online trolls have undoubtedly contributed to the negative narrative surrounding Zegler, many argue that her team’s focus on this factor ignores the broader context. The decline in Evita ticket sales may also reflect a lack of public interest in the production itself, as well as Zegler’s damaged reputation following Snow White. Some theatergoers on X have expressed reluctance to support the show, with one user writing, “I love Evita, but I’m not sure I want to see Rachel Zegler in it after all the Snow White drama. She seems more focused on politics than performing.”

The Bigger Picture for Zegler’s Career

The Evita ticket sales decline raises questions about Zegler’s future in the entertainment industry. Once seen as a promising talent with a bright future, she now faces the challenge of rebuilding her public image. Her next project, a comedy film with Marisa Tomei, offers a potential opportunity for a comeback, but the success of that endeavor will likely depend on her ability to reconnect with audiences. Some fans remain supportive, with one X user writing, “Rachel Zegler is a star, and the hate she gets is undeserved. I hope she shines in Evita and proves the trolls wrong.”

However, the broader implications of this situation extend beyond Zegler herself. The entertainment industry is grappling with how to navigate the impact of social media on celebrity careers, particularly for young stars like Zegler who are thrust into the spotlight early on. While online trolls can amplify negative sentiment, the responsibility also lies with celebrities and their teams to manage public perception effectively. Zegler’s case highlights the delicate balance between authenticity and diplomacy in the digital age—a balance she has yet to fully master.

Conclusion

Rachel Zegler’s team may point to online trolls as the reason for the shocking decline in Evita ticket sales, but the reality is likely more complex. The actress’s career has been marked by both remarkable talent and significant controversy, from her casting in Snow White to her outspoken political views. While trolls have played a role in shaping the narrative around her, Zegler’s own actions and statements have also contributed to her current challenges. As she prepares for her West End debut, the question remains whether she can overcome the backlash and reclaim her status as a rising star—or if this latest setback will further jeopardize her Hollywood career.