Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old star who rose to fame with her breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021), has found herself at the center of a firestorm of controversy following the release of Disney’s live-action Snow White remake on March 21, 2025. While Zegler’s performance as the titular princess earned praise for its charisma and vocal prowess, her outspoken comments and social media activity have sparked intense backlash from co-stars, industry figures, and fans alike. Accusations of “misdemeanors” ranging from political posts to perceived slights against colleagues have fueled a narrative that threatens to overshadow her talent. As Disney grapples with the film’s commercial failure, Zegler’s career hangs in the balance, raising questions about Hollywood’s treatment of young, outspoken actresses from underrepresented backgrounds.

The Snow White Controversy: A Perfect Storm

The Snow White remake, directed by Marc Webb and co-starring Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, was plagued by controversy from the moment Zegler’s casting was announced in June 2021. As a Latina actress of Colombian and Polish descent, Zegler faced racist backlash from some fans who argued her ethnicity didn’t match the character’s traditional description of having “skin as white as snow.” Zegler addressed this criticism directly, stating in a since-deleted X post, “Yes, I am Snow White, no I am not bleaching my skin for the role”. The film’s narrative clarified that Snow White’s name stemmed from a snowstorm at her birth, not her complexion, but the debate persisted.

Zegler’s comments about the 1937 animated original further inflamed tensions. At Disney’s D23 Expo in 2022, she described the original prince as “weird” and a “stalker,” and called the story dated for its focus on romance over female agency. These remarks alienated fans who cherished the classic, with some accusing her of disrespecting Disney’s legacy. The film’s creative choices, such as replacing the seven dwarfs with CGI “magical creatures” after criticism from actor Peter Dinklage about perpetuating stereotypes, also drew ire for sidelining actors with dwarfism.

The most polarizing issue came in August 2024, when Zegler posted on X, celebrating the Snow White trailer’s 120 million views but signing off with, “and always remember, free Palestine”. This political statement, viewed 8.8 million times, drew sharp criticism, particularly given co-star Gal Gadot’s vocal support for Israel and her past service in the Israeli Defense Force. Disney producer Marc Platt reportedly flew to New York to urge Zegler to delete the post, but she refused, later issuing an apology: “I let my emotions get the best of me”. The post exacerbated tensions, with pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian activists clashing at Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony days before the film’s release.

Co-Star Backlash and Industry Fallout

Zegler’s actions sparked notable friction with co-stars and industry figures, amplifying the perception of “misdemeanors.” Ariana DeBose, Zegler’s West Side Story co-star who played Anita, stirred controversy by reposting a quote from Jonah Platt, son of Snow White producer Marc Platt, on Instagram Stories on April 1, 2025. The quote, which labeled Zegler a “narcissist” for her “personal politics” harming the film’s performance, read: “Narcissism is not something to be coddled or encouraged”. DeBose quickly deleted the post, clarifying, “I post quotes all the time and thought this one was meaningful. I did not do any research on where this quote came from”. Fans interpreted the post as a jab at Zegler, especially given DeBose’s failure to publicly congratulate Zegler on her Snow White role, despite their prior camaraderie.

Jonah Platt’s original rant, also deleted, accused Zegler of “immature desires” and blamed her for the film’s box office flop, which grossed only $86.5 million domestically and $202.8 million worldwide against a $270–350 million budget. An anonymous Disney insider told Variety, “Rachel Zegler should not be playing Snow White,” reflecting frustration within the studio. Sean Ono Lennon, son of John Lennon, joined the criticism, calling Zegler a “spoiled, ungrateful and disconnected brat” in a now-deleted X post.

Rumors of a feud with Gal Gadot also surfaced, fueled by Zegler’s failure to mention or post photos with Gadot in a 19-photo Instagram carousel thanking her co-stars. While no direct evidence confirms a personal conflict, the contrasting political stances of Zegler and Gadot—who faced death threats requiring extra security—intensified the film’s toxic discourse. These incidents painted Zegler as a lightning rod, with her actions perceived by some as unprofessional or divisive.

Support Amid the Storm

Despite the backlash, Zegler has received significant support from peers and fans. Melissa Barrera, Pedro Pascal, Ariana Grande, Jameela Jamil, Helen Mirren, and Lucy Liu publicly or privately backed her, with Pascal posting a photo of Zegler on Instagram Stories with the caption “#icon”. Barrera reshared a fan’s post defending Zegler, while film critic David Ehrlich wrote on X, “Rachel Zegler RULES and so obviously has a lifetime of incredible roles & performances ahead of her”. A group of journalists signed an open letter to Variety, condemning its portrayal of Zegler as a “smear campaign” and defending her activism.

Critics and audiences praised Zegler’s performance as the highlight of Snow White, with Variety noting her “pertly appealing glow” and The New York Times calling her “sweet and spunky”. Vanity Fair argued that scapegoating Zegler was backfiring, as her singing and charisma carried the film despite its flaws. Film critic Kelechi Ehenulo called Zegler a victim of “culture wars,” noting that actors from underrepresented backgrounds often face disproportionate scrutiny.

The Box Office Fallout and Zegler’s Future

Snow White’s commercial failure, with a 66% drop in its second weekend and a $335,000 Mother’s Day re-release flop, has been partly attributed to Zegler’s controversies, though critics argue this oversimplifies the issue. The film’s 40% Rotten Tomatoes score, criticized for a “lifeless script” and “artificial CGI,” suggests broader issues beyond Zegler’s actions. Disney’s hesitation to address the controversy publicly, wary of legal precedents like Gina Carano’s lawsuit, left Zegler to bear the brunt of the backlash.

Zegler’s next steps indicate a pivot to less contentious projects. She will star as Eva Perón in a West End production of Evita from June to September 2025, returning to her stage roots. She’s also cast in the indie comedy-drama She Gets It from Me with Marisa Tomei, playing a daughter reconnecting with her ex-punk rocker mother, a role that aligns with her ability to portray complex, emotional characters. These projects suggest Zegler is seeking to distance herself from Hollywood’s spotlight while leveraging her undeniable talent.

A Broader Cultural Context

The backlash against Zegler reflects broader tensions in Hollywood, where young, outspoken actresses, particularly women of color, face amplified scrutiny in the social media age. The New Yorker noted that blaming Zegler for Snow White’s failure is “almost perversely flattering,” given Disney’s $180 billion market cap and the film’s creative missteps. USA Today argued that Zegler’s “free Palestine” post was not the sole reason for the flop, pointing to generational support for her views among Gen Z. The toxic discourse, including review bombing (1.6/10 on IMDb), underscores the challenges of navigating cultural and political divides in modern filmmaking.

In conclusion, Rachel Zegler’s “misdemeanors”—her political posts, comments on the original Snow White, and perceived slights against co-stars—have made her a scapegoat for the remake’s failure. Yet, her luminous performance and support from peers highlight her resilience. As she moves to stage and indie projects, Zegler’s career trajectory suggests a young star determined to rise above the controversy, even as Hollywood grapples with its own fairy-tale ending.