Rachel Zegler's 'Snow White' Controversy Resurfaces as the Film Nears Release

Rachel Zegler’s casting as Disney’s Snow White was meant to mark a modern reimagining of the beloved 1937 animated classic. Instead, the film has been embroiled in controversy since its announcement. From criticism over Zegler’s past remarks about the original film to backlash over the movie’s outdated themes, the discourse surrounding Snow White has persisted well before its release—and it’s flaring up again as the movie finally hits theaters next week.

The 22-year-old actor, best known for her breakout role in West Side Story, faced heavy scrutiny in 2023 when she told Extra TV that the original film focused too much on a love story with "a guy who literally stalks her," calling it "weird." She also joked that Prince Charming’s scenes “could get cut,” adding, “Who knows? It’s Hollywood, baby.”

In a separate Entertainment Weekly interview, Zegler admitted she had only watched the 1937 classic once as a child because she found it frightening and never revisited it until she was cast. Some fans felt she was dismissive of the film’s legacy, and others took issue with her perceived attitude in interviews, which they claimed came off as condescending or ungrateful for the role.  However, in an interview with Variety, she expressed disappointment that her comments were interpreted the way they were.

With just days until its release, Snow White is once again trending online, with skeptics doubling down on their criticisms. However, early screenings tell a different story—those who have seen the film are praising Zegler’s performance. Some, for example, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share praise. Despite past doubts, it appears she has won over at least some audiences with her acting. Whether Snow White will ultimately be embraced by fans remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the discourse surrounding Rachel Zegler and this film isn’t fading anytime soon.