Rachel zegler reveals snow white backlash and its toll

Rachel Zegler is opening up about the intense online hate she faced after being cast as Snow White in Disney’s 2025 live-action remake. The actress detailed the criticism she received, revealing a pattern of being deemed “not enough” of one thing for one role and “too much” of another for another.

“You’re simultaneously nothing.”

Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, Zegler recounted how she was told she wasn’t “enough of one thing for West Side Story and too much of another for Snow White.” The criticism, she explained, largely came from conservative audiences who felt she was too white for the role of Maria in Steven Spielberg’s musical and not “white enough” for Snow White.

“I grew up proud of being Colombian,” Zegler stated. “Eating the food, wearing the dresses, drinking the coffee, doing all the things that were so intrinsic to who I was as a kid and who I am as an adult – but I do think there’s an argument to be made that, in the public eye at least, when you’re two things, you’re simultaneously nothing. But I refuse to assimilate for anybody else’s comfort.”

She pointed out the confusing parallel to the backlash surrounding her casting in West Side Story, where critics questioned her Latina identity due to her father’s white heritage. Zegler also addressed the criticism she received for advocating for Palestine on social media, describing it as “a complete study in intent versus impact.”

The Snow White remake ultimately underperformed at the box office, debuting domestically with $43 million against a production budget of around $200 million. This figure falls short of previous Disney remakes like The Lion King ($166 million opening weekend in 2019) and Beauty and the Beast ($174 million in 2017). The film concluded its theatrical run with $205.6 million worldwide.

“If I’d been able to predict everything that would come my way, the threats to my safety, I would have just thrown my phone into the ocean,” Zegler confessed. She acknowledged the caution that comes with speaking out, suggesting that more impactful change can be achieved through actions other than social media posts.

The film’s financial disappointment underscores a broader trend. While Disney’s live-action remakes have generated substantial revenue, they haven’t consistently replicated the magic of the originals. Zegler’s experience, and the film’s performance, highlight the complex and often contradictory expectations placed upon performers navigating issues of race, identity, and representation in the public eye. Her resilience, however, is undeniable.

The box office results are a stark reminder: even with a beloved character and a high-profile director, cultural anxieties can derail even the most ambitious projects.