Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old actress who played Snow White opposite Gal Gadot in Disney’s latest film adaptation, has been at the center of a major controversy since her casting announcement. The petite powerhouse repeatedly demonstrated to Disney executives that she was not your typical, sanitized princess, but rather an outspoken and opinionated young woman.
Zegler’s comments ranged from criticizing power dynamics between men and women in the original animated film to launching political attacks against President Donald Trump and expressing explicit support for Palestinians. Her tense relationships with Gadot and Disney executives left studio heads reeling as they realized the public relations quagmire they’d created with her casting.
Despite the film’s commercial success, it was a major box office bomb, and Zegler’s behavior was widely criticized by industry insiders, including Jonah Platt, son of film producer Marc Platt. However, Zegler refused to back down from her positions, even after reports emerged that Platt had demanded she remove her pro-Palestinian tweet during a private meeting.
To mitigate the damage, Disney initiated an extensive damage control campaign, limiting Zegler’s public appearances and promoting Gadot as the main star of the film. However, these efforts have been met with resistance from fans who support Zegler’s right to express herself freely.
Zegler’s career has taken a hit in terms of her relationship with Disney, but it remains to be seen whether this will have a lasting impact on her professional trajectory. Despite the controversy, she continues to perform and advance professionally, including starring on Broadway in “Romeo and Juliet” and making her West End debut soon.
It’s essential to remember that Hollywood is notorious for its short memory and fickle nature. It’s too early to predict whether Zegler’s career has reached its conclusion or if this is merely a temporary setback. One thing is certain, however – Rachel Zegler has become a lightning rod for debate about free speech, feminism, and the role of women in Hollywood.
Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/03/30/is-snow-white-actress-canceled-in-hollywood-amid-backlash