Rachel Zegler Recalls ‘Very Confusing’ Snow White Casting Backlash

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Rachel Zegler faced significant online criticism for years, starting when she was cast in a leading role. She was particularly surprised by the backlash, as she’d already received negative comments about her part in West Side Story.

Rachel Zegler faced criticism for her role in West Side Story, with some questioning whether her Colombian heritage was close enough to Puerto Rican culture for the part. However, the backlash was much stronger when she was cast as Snow White, a traditionally white character. In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Zegler discussed the difference between these two situations, ultimately stating she’s determined not to conform to others’ expectations of how she should portray characters.

Rachel Zegler Remains Proud to Be Colombian

Rachel Zegler shared that she was told she didn’t fit the typical mold for roles in West Side Story and Snow White. She described it as a confusing time, especially as a young adult, because she was proud of her Colombian heritage – the food, culture, and traditions that shaped her. However, she felt that being seen as both Colombian and something else meant she wasn’t fully accepted by anyone. Ultimately, she stated she wouldn’t change who she is to make others more comfortable.

While filming Snow White, Rachel Zegler faced criticism after publicly expressing support for Palestinians online. This was particularly controversial because her co-star, Gal Gadot, previously served in the Israel Defense Forces, leading to speculation of a conflict between them. Reflecting on the strong negative reaction she received, Zegler maintains she doesn’t regret her stance, but now believes there were better ways to voice her support than simply posting on X (formerly Twitter).

Rachel Zegler Stands by Palestinian Support

She explained that she’d been honest about her feelings, and that reflected her fundamental values. She added that the situation highlighted the difference between what someone intends to communicate and how it’s actually received. It was a learning experience, and she realized that just because you can say something, doesn’t mean you should. She believes there are more effective ways to create positive change than simply posting online.

Zegler admitted that knowing what was coming, she would have gotten rid of her phone – and thinks most people would have done the same.

Disney’s recent live-action Snow White film wasn’t successful, despite a large budget of around $270 million. It only earned about $205 million worldwide in theaters and received significant negative reviews, even earning a nomination for Worst Picture. Interestingly, audiences seemed to enjoy it more than critics, giving it a 69% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes compared to the critics’ 39%. The film also performed well on streaming platforms.

Snow White is streaming on Disney+.

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2026-03-11 04:38