Movies

Rachel Zegler says execs asked if she was ‘legit’ Latina in ‘West Side Story’ casting

BBG News

Rachel Zegler candidly discusses her challenges in embracing her Latina identity wholeheartedly during her casting as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 adaptation of the classic musical film “West Side Story” from 1961.

During an interview with Allure, the 23-year-old actress revealed that throughout the casting process for the Oscar-nominated film, she faced questions about her ancestry from studio executives. Born in New Jersey to a Colombian-American mother and Polish-American father, Zegler’s maternal grandmother migrated to the U.S. from Barranquilla in the 1960s.

Zegler clarified that there’s a misunderstanding because he doesn’t have any Latin roots in his name. During the casting process for Maria in ‘West Side Story’, people would ask if he was authentic. He recalled thinking, ‘Should I bring my grandmother along?’ He joked that he’d be happy to introduce her in the studio if they wanted to meet her.

Zegler pointed out that it was unusual for a group of high-ranking white executives to require you to verify your identity.

Hollywood Inc.

Disney’s live-action adaptation of ‘Snow White,’ set to release next week, has encountered a challenging journey, facing external disputes at each stage along the way.

As a proud Colombian and a familiar face from “Snow White”, I must admit, being part of this global community has been intriguing amidst today’s cultural landscape. Yet, it’s my Colombian roots that I cherish deeply.

Discussing the present situation, Zegler expressed support for equality, diversity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, especially considering the reduction in diversity efforts observed in Hollywood and various other sectors recently.

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In the context of today’s circumstances, Zegler voiced his backing for Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, given the current trend in Hollywood and numerous industries where they seem to be pulling back on their diversity commitments.

In essence, Zegler stated that she got the opportunity due to her singing ability. For the future of diversity and acceptance, she hopes that we’ll foster and cultivate talent regardless of their appearance.

Since she was chosen for the role of “Snow White” in the forthcoming 2021 Disney live-action adaptation of the 1937 animated original, Zegler faced an onslaught of disapproving comments online, claiming that as a Latina, she was not suitable to portray Snow White.

Hollywood Inc.

Ever since President Trump resumed his term, there has been a swift shift among entertainment and media corporations to diminish their initiatives aimed at boosting diversity, fairness, and inclusion – whether within their organizations or in the content they broadcast.

Following Disney’s decision about Snow White’s casting, it appears that Zegler responded to critics who were against a Latina playing Snow White. In a now-removed Instagram post, she wrote, “Yes, I am Snow White. No, I am not going to lighten my skin for the role.

Besides earning a Golden Globe nod, she garnered backing not just from her admirers but also from another Disney princess, Halle Bailey. Interestingly, Halle, like this nominee, faced critique for sporting locs as Ariel in the 2023 rendition of “The Little Mermaid.

“we love you so much … truly the perfect princess,” she wrote to Zegler in 2023 on X.

90’s R&B icon Brandy, famously portraying Cinderella in 1997, mirrored the thoughts expressed by Bailey in an article that appeared in Variety not too long ago.

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In response to criticism about its progressive choice in casting, Rachel Zegler shares that the updated ‘Snow White’ production she’s part of introduces a fresh origin tale for the classic Disney princess character.

In an interview with Variety in 2024, Zegler shared that as a child, she was raised in a home where they admired Brandy’s portrayal of Cinderella, the maid who transformed into a princess.

Zegler stated that a child’s mind is incredible because it can recognize various versions of the same character, such as ‘Ah, there’s Cinderella.’ She explained that the classic 1950s cartoon Cinderella with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a blue dress, as well as Hilary Duff’s portrayal in ‘A Cinderella Story,’ are all versions of the same character, Cinderella.

Zegler’s selection as the main actor in a significant movie occurs during a period where the representation of artists and creators of diverse backgrounds in high-grossing films seems to be declining.

In 2024, actors of color represented approximately a quarter (25.2%) of the lead roles in the top films, which is a decrease from the 29.2% in 2023, as reported by the latest UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report. This report also shows that the number of films directed by individuals of color decreased in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2024, directors of color accounted for only 20.2% of the total films, dropping from 22.9% in the previous year. It’s worth noting that people of color make up roughly 44% of the U.S. population.

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2025-03-19 01:01

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