In the high-stakes world of Hollywood, where reputations can be made or broken overnight, rumors often swirl faster than official announcements. One such whisper making the rounds in industry circles and online forums is that rising star Rachel Zegler was initially eyed for a lead role in Jacques Audiard’s critically acclaimed musical drama Emilia Pérez, only for the director to pull back due to concerns over her “messy” personal life. With Emilia Pérez garnering buzz for its bold storytelling and stellar cast—including Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Selena Gomez—the idea of Zegler stepping into a central role adds an intriguing layer of “what if.” But is there any truth to this claim, or is it another example of how celebrity controversies fuel unfounded speculation? This article dives into the rumor, Zegler’s recent career turbulence, the parallels with Emilia Pérez‘s own scandals, and what it all means for young talents navigating fame in 2025.

Rachel Zegler burst onto the scene like a comet, captivating audiences with her raw talent and fresh-faced charm. Born in 2001 to a Colombian mother and Polish-American father, Zegler grew up in New Jersey, honing her skills in musical theater and gaining early attention through YouTube covers of Broadway classics. Her breakthrough came in 2018 when she auditioned for Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story, landing the role of Maria at just 17. The 2021 film earned her a Golden Globe, praise for her vocal range, and comparisons to icons like Audrey Hepburn. From there, she seemed poised for stardom, securing roles in Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) and Disney’s live-action Snow White (2025).

However, Zegler’s ascent has been marred by a series of public missteps that critics argue have painted her as “unhireable” or “too dangerous to touch.” Her personal life—marked by outspoken political views, social media feuds, and comments perceived as arrogant—has become fodder for tabloids and YouTube commentators. In 2023, during the Snow White press tour, Zegler described the 1937 original as “dated” in its portrayal of women, calling the prince a “stalker” and emphasizing her version’s focus on leadership over romance. These remarks, resurfaced amid the film’s release, ignited backlash from fans who accused her of disrespecting a beloved classic. The son of the original Snow White director even claimed his father and Walt Disney would be “turning in their graves.”

The controversy escalated with Zegler’s political activism. In August 2024, she posted “Free Palestine” on social media during the Snow White trailer rollout, clashing with co-star Gal Gadot’s pro-Israel stance and reportedly causing on-set tensions. Insiders alleged producer Marc Platt urged her to delete the post, but she refused, leading to increased security for Gadot amid threats. Then, following Donald Trump’s 2024 election win, Zegler tweeted, “May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace,” later apologizing but not before alienating conservative audiences. These incidents, combined with her perceived “woke” agenda, contributed to Snow White‘s dismal box office performance—opening to $43 million against a $270 million budget—and widespread boycotts.

Zegler’s Broadway debut in Evita at London’s Palladium in 2025 further fueled the narrative of a “messy” personal life impacting her career. Reports highlighted empty seats (over 70% unsold), slashed ticket prices, and her understudy replacing her mid-show, with critics linking the flop to lingering resentment from her Disney drama. One source described her as “untouchable,” warning that studios are now “a lot more careful hiring lead actresses” after such PR nightmares.

Enter Emilia Pérez, the 2024 French-Mexican musical that premiered at Cannes to standing ovations and later faced its own storm of controversy. Directed by Jacques Audiard, the film follows a cartel leader (played by trans actress Karla Sofía Gascón) who transitions and seeks redemption, with Saldaña as a lawyer and Gomez as the protagonist’s wife. Initially hailed as an Oscar frontrunner, Emilia Pérez won multiple awards at Cannes, including Best Actress for its ensemble. However, in early 2025, resurfaced tweets from Gascón—containing racist, Islamophobic, and offensive remarks from years prior—derailed its momentum. Netflix, the film’s distributor, reportedly distanced itself from Gascón, removing her from Oscars promotional materials and shifting focus to Saldaña and Gomez. The backlash extended to cultural criticisms, with some Mexican audiences decrying stereotypical portrayals of violence and trans identity.

The film still earned nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Saldaña (who made history as the first Dominican-American Oscar winner), but the scandal highlighted Hollywood’s hypersensitivity to stars’ pasts. Eugenio Derbez, a Mexican actor, initially criticized Gomez’s Spanish accent but later apologized, while Saldaña defended the film’s intent amid accusations of insensitivity. YouTube videos and podcasts dissected the “Emilia Pérez backlash,” labeling it a “woke disaster” that alienated viewers on both sides of the political spectrum.

So, where does the rumor of Zegler’s involvement fit in? Despite extensive searches across news outlets, social media, and industry forums, no credible evidence supports the claim that she was considered for a lead role in Emilia Pérez. Queries on platforms like Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and entertainment sites yield comparisons rather than confirmations—phrases like “Rachel Zegler already has Emilia Pérez-level hate” suggest the rumor stems from parallel narratives of controversy derailing projects. For instance, one insider noted that after Snow White and Emilia Pérez, studios are wary of actresses with “baggage,” implying Zegler’s issues mirror Gascón’s tweet scandal. A Threads post echoed this, stating Zegler’s “unfair” hate could doom future awards chances, much like Emilia Pérez‘s tarnished campaign.

This speculation likely arises from Zegler’s Latina heritage and musical background, which align with Emilia Pérez‘s themes of identity and redemption. Had she been cast—perhaps as Gomez’s character, Jessi, or even in a supporting role—it could have amplified the film’s diversity push. But Audiard’s casting process, focused on authenticity (Gascón being trans, Saldaña Dominican), doesn’t mention Zegler in any reports. Instead, the rumor appears to be a conflation of Zegler’s real-life woes with Emilia Pérez‘s fallout, amplified by online echo chambers. X posts from users like @Aku_700 decry Zegler as “insufferable” and “entitled,” while others, like @politicalmath, defend her as a young actress scapegoated by corporate mishandling.

Broader implications reveal a chilling effect on Hollywood’s casting decisions. In a post-#MeToo, post-2020 era, studios scrutinize personal lives more than ever, fearing boycotts and social media storms. Zegler’s case echoes that of other young stars like Millie Bobby Brown or Timothée Chalamet, who face intense backlash for opinions deemed “problematic.” As one awards analyst put it, “Disney is at war with its own fan base,” with “anti-woke” sentiments clashing against progressive casting. For Emilia Pérez, the controversy didn’t fully derail its success—Saldaña’s win proved resilience—but it underscored the double-edged sword of representation: empowering yet vulnerable to scrutiny.

Zegler, for her part, has shown growth. In interviews, she reflected on the harassment she endured, including threats at her apartment over her Snow White casting, leading to therapy. Supporters, including co-stars like James Olivas from Evita, dismiss the hate as “manufactured outrage” targeting her as a woman of color. “It’s people choosing to be angry at her because she is young, an easy target,” Olivas told The Hollywood Reporter. Even amid flops, Zegler’s talent shines; Snow White gained traction on Disney+ months later, suggesting audiences separate art from artist.

Ultimately, the rumored Emilia Pérez casting switch remains unsubstantiated—a ghost story in Hollywood’s rumor mill. If anything, it highlights how Zegler’s “messy” personal life, real or exaggerated, has become a cautionary tale. In an industry where social media amplifies every misstep, young stars like her must navigate fame’s minefield carefully. Whether this rumor holds a kernel of truth or not, it underscores a larger truth: in 2025, personal politics can cost roles, reputations, and box office gold. As Zegler moves forward—perhaps with wiser social media strategies—her story reminds us that behind the glamour, Hollywood is a battlefield where past tweets and bold opinions can rewrite futures.