- Can Rachel Zegler play Snow White despite her skin? Rachel brings a modern edge to the role and faces backlash for her Latina heritage in a traditionally white character.
- Zegler’s version of Snow White will focus on independence and leadership rather than romance and traditional fairy tale tropes.
- The film has faced significant controversy over the depiction of dwarfs and differing political views between the lead actresses.
- Disney has reduced marketing efforts and press access due to the extensive backlash surrounding the film’s release.
Rachel Zegler, recognized for her performances in “West Side Story” and the soon-to-be-released “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” has encountered a lot of criticism for her role as Snow White in Disney’s live-action remake.
The controversy kicked off when Zegler was cast as the lead back in June 2021, with some fans and right-wing commentators voicing disapproval over the choice of a Latina actress for a character traditionally linked to the phrase “skin as white as snow.”
Despite this, Zegler has insisted that her portrayal of Snow White will have a modern twist, explaining that the character’s name actually comes from surviving a snowstorm as an infant, echoing a storyline from ABC’s “Once Upon A Time.”
Zegler has also endured harassment, including instances where people have shown up at her door to hurl insults, primarily due to her brown skin and her casting as Snow White.
She’s been outspoken about reimagining the original tale, pointing out that Prince Charming’s behavior in the 1937 film could easily be interpreted as stalking. Her version of Snow White will focus more on independence and leadership instead of romance.
The film has hit additional snags, facing criticism regarding the portrayal of the seven dwarfs and the differing political views of Zegler and her co-star Gal Gadot. Rachel Zegler has voiced support for Palestine, whereas Gadot has been known to support Israel, prompting some activist groups to call for a boycott.
In light of the backlash and ongoing controversies, Disney has pulled back on the film’s marketing strategy and restricted press access for the premiere.
Last Updated on March 19, 2025 by 247 News Around The World
