Movies

Colombian Actress Claims Hollywood Executives Questioned Her Heritage

BBG News

Rachel Zegler has claimed that West Side Story bosses questioned her Colombian heritage. 

In a recent interview, the actress, who is 23 years old, expressed bewilderment about being asked to validate her identity by a group of white executives, which she found perplexing.

She starred as María in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 remake of West Side Story. 

Her latest Snow White film has faced controversy due to criticism and concerns that the modern adaptation places a greater emphasis on socially conscious themes, potentially overshadowing the original narrative.

Significantly, the updated version has discarded the conventional romantic storyline due to concerns about sexism, and instead, reimagines the Seven Dwarfs as a varied assortment of magical beings.

Currently, the lead actress Rachel recently shared insights into her past challenges of establishing her roots in the film industry during a chat with Allure, which was published on Tuesday.

‘There’s confusion because I don’t have a single ounce of Latin in my name,’ she said.

In the heat of auditioning for Maria in West Side Story, they’d persistently verify my authenticity. A thought crossed my mind, ‘Would you like a taste of my roots? I’d be glad to introduce you to my grandmother, if that’s what it takes.’ If they desired, I was ready to escort her into the studio for a heartfelt encounter.

Zegler hails from Hackensack, New Jersey. Her mother, Gina, is of Colombian descent. 

Her maternal grandmother immigrated from Barranquilla, Colombia, to the States in 1960s. 

Meanwhile her father, Craig Zegler, is of Polish descent.

She continued by expressing that it’s quite intriguing to be a member of that diaspora given our present circumstances, and then she shared, “However, I am deeply proud to be Colombian.

West Side Story proved to be her Hollywood breakthrough. 

The role earned her a win at the Golden Globes for best actress in a musical or comedy film. 

Spielberg then personally recommended her to Snow White director Marc Webb.

In another part of the interview, Zegler shared that it was her strong singing skills that ultimately secured her role as Snow White, despite the fact that the original animated Disney character is not Latina.

‘The reality is, I was given a chance because I could sing,’ she shared. 

Instead of saying, “She went on to say,” you could use, “She continued by expressing,” or simply, “She expressed.” Then, her sentence could be rephrased as:

“Her hope for the future of diversity and inclusion lies in investing in and nurturing talent regardless of their appearance.

‘That’s why it’s so important for the next generation to see movies like Snow White,’ she added.

Discovering that making the right choice need not stem from resentment or aggression, but can instead be a calm and peaceful decision.

1. ‘Anger, while strong, may not lead to the best outcomes. Instead, Snow White opts for compassion and brings about change. Power can manifest in various ways. Here’s hoping we witness a new era of kindness and understanding over the next couple of years. It’s unnecessary to resort to hatred to widen the rift between people.’

-or-

2. ‘Though anger is powerful, it might not lead us towards the brightest future. Snow White chooses kindness even in the face of adversity and still manages to bring about change. Power comes in many shapes and forms. Let’s strive for a new era of compassion and acceptance over the next few years. It’s pointless to use hate as a tool to deepen divisions among people.’

In recent times, there have been debates surrounding Snow White ahead of its release on Friday, with some of these disputes stemming from politically assertive statements made by Zegler.

2021 saw intense discussions erupt when it was revealed that the actress would portray the character. The reason for this controversy was that she didn’t align with the conventional depiction of the character as having “skin as white as snow.

‘Indeed, I’m Snow White, but let me clarify that I’m not lightening my skin for the part.’

Director Marc Webb firmly backed Zegler, stating emphatically: “Few individuals exhibit as much enthusiasm for Disney as Rachel does.

I affirmed, “I can vouch for her extensive park visits, possibly over a hundred times. She’s familiar with every detail of the Disney Princesses, front to back. Remarkably, she remembered the Disney videos featuring Hilary Duff and Miley Cyrus that I directed years ago!

Webb went on to explain: ‘She grasped the Disney-style I was aiming for – a subtle mixture of fairy tale magic and some contemporary tweaks.’

In a heartfelt manner, I embody the essence of authenticity when performing music and dance, drawing inspiration from the past yet breathing life into it. It’s not an effortless task.

According to a source within the company, it has been reported that Zegler is exhibiting behavior that is difficult to manage, leading to significant issues for Disney as they prepare for the film’s premiere.

A source shared with Page Six that the company is unsure about how to handle Zegler, as she frequently expresses her progressive opinions openly.

Although Zegler was the focus at the European premiere of the movie, unfortunately, the main actress wasn’t granted an opportunity to interact with international media outlets, as they were not among the select guests invited to this private event.

She hastily departed for a secluded castle in Segovia, Spain, to entertain approximately 100 exclusive ‘VIPs’, among whom were influencers and families. However, the gathering sparked curiosity as she was the sole celebrity in attendance, with not even Gal Gadot, who portrays the Evil Queen, making an appearance.

According to reports, Disney seems to be handling Zegler with care following her outspoken criticisms about the original 1937 film for its perceived sexism in its traditional romantic plot and antiquated love story.

‘Disney’s lead actress is out of control,’ a source told Page Six. ‘They don’t know what to do.

She’s a vocal individual in her twenties, and the heads of Disney have reached out to her personally, asking her to soften her social media posts. However, they’ve also contacted her representatives, yet she seems unresponsive to their advice.

Throughout the filming process, things have consistently been as they are. However, what’s disturbing is the connection made between her political views and Snow White.

Instead of a grand red-carpet event last week, the movie’s premiere was more subdued, attracting fewer attendees, due to growing criticism.

Instead of a grand-scale premiere happening at Leicester Square, London, as initially planned, sources revealed to DailyMail.com recently that no such event will be held for the forthcoming film.

According to the source, Disney is preparing for potential criticism about being “woke” with regards to Snow White, and they’ve decided to limit their media presence to only a few carefully managed press events.

They’ve chosen an uncommon approach by deciding against holding a London premiere for the movie, and they’re also limiting the number of interview questions directed towards Rachel Zegler.

Rachel has been embroiled in drama following her controversial comments on the Disney animation.

She faced criticism following her remarks that the movie’s plot was “unusual” and describing the prince as a “pursuer.

Previously, during an interview, Zegler shared that the upcoming movie deviates from traditional paths. Regarding the character of Snow White, she expressed that unlike the norm, ‘She won’t be rescued by a prince and her thoughts won’t revolve around finding true love.’

As a devoted admirer, I’ve learned from reliable sources like The Hollywood Reporter that Disney seems to harbor little confidence in the forthcoming film. It appears they are eagerly looking forward to wrapping up the promotional activities for this movie, as if it were just a task to be completed.

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2025-03-20 14:22

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