The End of Disney’s Girl Boss Celeb Era: Rachel Zegler of Snow White and Amandla Stenberg of Acolyte Are Done

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Rachel Zegler made an impressive debut with strong performances in West Side Story (2021) and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023). Although both her initial films faced significant financial struggles at the box office, Zegler’s talent extended beyond her acting abilities. She also used her platform to advocate for representation, publicly stating that she would not lighten her skin tone for the role of Snow White and criticizing traditional portrayals of the character. This stance garnered praise from many. However, when Disney released their remake of Snow White in March 2025, it was met with a negative response. Despite Zegler’s acclaimed performance, the film underperformed financially, earning approximately $205-206 million globally against a production and marketing budget of $400-$500 million, thus being labeled as a “historic” box-office flop.

In a recent update, actors Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot confirm that Disney’s live-action adaptation of Snow White will not follow the traditional trope where a prince saves the day.

She won’t fantasize about finding true love; instead, she dreams about becoming the strong leader she envisions herself to be.

— Geeks + Gamers (@GeeksGamersCom) July 23, 2023

Following a divisive display on stage and screen, Zegler currently has only one confirmed future project: “She Gets It From Me“, a low-key drama alongside Marisa Tomei, helmed by Julia von Heinz. Although this film could potentially provide a path to reconciliation, it’s not a major motion picture. Given her previous ties to high-profile Disney productions, this change of direction is significant and suggests a less promising outlook for her short-term career advancement. Moreover, her run as Evita in London has concluded, and no further projects have been announced for the former Cinderella, indicating that her moment in the spotlight may be over.

But she’s not the only one. Let’s talk about the “dis track” queen of Star Wars.

Amandla Stenberg, known for her role in Star Wars: The Acolyte, chose to address racial issues and respond to critics by expressing deep emotion and singing about her feelings of marginalization and struggle against prejudice.

This paraphrase aims to convey the same idea while using more natural and less confrontational language. It highlights Amandla’s decision to discuss racism and express her emotions, rather than focusing on her actions being a reaction to criticism or a display of vulnerability.

This is what Star Wars is now.

— MasteroftheTDS (@MasteroftheTDS) June 20, 2024

Amandla Stenberg has consistently shown courage in expressing their thoughts, starting with her breakthrough roles in “The Hunger Games” (2012) and “The Hate U Give” (2018), and more recently appearing in a mix of genre and independent films such as “Bodies Bodies Bodies” (2022) and “My Animal” (2023).

Moving forward, Stenberg’s upcoming roles are quite limited. She has a small speaking role in an upcoming Spider-Verse film by Sony, which she was initially thought to have long-term potential with. Additionally, she is set to appear in the adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, scheduled for release on January 15, 2027.

Although Stenberg has some minor TV projects scheduled after 2027, none are particularly notable as significant career advancements – a surprising scarcity given Stenberg’s undeniable talent, extensive representation, and prior influence in popular culture. It’s plausible to speculate that Stenberg’s outspoken character, especially on topics related to identity, politics, and diversity, might be causing the entertainment industry to hesitate when it comes to casting them in more mainstream or prominent roles.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but acknowledge the remarkable talents of Rachel Zegler and Amandla Stenberg. Their early success and versatile acting abilities have earned them critical acclaim. However, their open, authentic voices seem to have added an intriguing layer to their journey in Hollywood. While some might cheer them on, their candidness could potentially influence their trajectory within the studio system.

  • For Zegler, the financial failure of Snow White can be attributed more to a strong reaction caused by her vocal opinions, rather than her performance. As a result, she is currently focusing on smaller, sincere independent dramas.

  • For Stenberg, while his notable talent and promising upcoming roles suggest a bright future, the absence of significant upcoming films could be a result of studios adopting careful strategies to steer clear of potential controversies.

In both situations, it’s evident that Hollywood tends to prioritize image and drama over raw talent. For these up-and-coming stars, their brash behavior could potentially be a hindrance, preventing them from reaching the grand stages they initially appeared poised for. And those who supported them as they wrecked their careers can be likened to spectators doused in Splat (a hypothetical substance), cheering them on unaware that they were propelling their futures off a precarious cliff.

However, that’s the trajectory we see in Hollywood’s modern era – a constant pursuit of gaining a slight edge for the influential few, only to find themselves phased out once their utility as unrecognized power players comes to light.

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2025-09-09 18:58