Disney’s live-action Snow White has finally hit theaters, closing the chapter on years of heated debate surrounding Rachel Zegler’s casting—at least in theory. However, controversy continues to swirl, fueled by disappointing box office numbers and a new report detailing behind-the-scenes tensions, including Disney’s reaction to Zegler’s vocal support for Palestine.
Opening on March 21, Snow White earned just $43 million domestically in its opening weekend, marking a significant miss for Disney. A Variety report reveals that Zegler’s “Free Palestine” tweet, which appeared alongside promotional posts for the film, sparked internal concerns. Producer Marc Platt reportedly flew to New York in an attempt to persuade her to delete the tweet—a request she refused. His son, Jonah Platt, later confirmed this in a now-deleted Instagram comment.
According to the report, Zegler’s stance contributed to heightened security concerns for her co-star Gal Gadot, who is Israeli. Disney allegedly provided additional security for Gadot and her family, though there was no mention of similar measures for Zegler despite the significant harassment she faced. Some insiders also worried that Zegler’s outspoken political views, including criticisms of Donald Trump, might alienate potential viewers of an already troubled film.
Beyond politics, Snow White faced scrutiny from the start. Zegler, much like Halle Bailey before her, encountered racist backlash when cast as the iconic princess. Further controversy erupted in 2023 when past interviews resurfaced, in which she critiqued the 1937 original for its outdated romantic themes. While her comments were largely fair, they sparked accusations of ingratitude, with even the son of the original film’s director expressing disapproval.
Zegler has since shared that the backlash went far beyond online hate, revealing in a Cosmopolitan interview that she was harassed in person for her casting, with strangers yelling profanities outside her apartment. Despite this, the Variety report fails to acknowledge the severity of the harassment she endured or whether Disney provided security for her.
Though Zegler has not publicly addressed the article, she has removed Snow White from her Instagram bio while continuing to promote her upcoming role in London’s Evita. Meanwhile, fellow actor Melissa Barrera—who was dropped from Scream after expressing support for Palestine—has voiced her support for Zegler.
As Hollywood grapples with increasing pressure on stars to take political stances, this situation underscores the ongoing tension between the industry and its talent in an era of heightened activism.
Source: Swifteradio.com.
