How Rachel Zegler went from shining new star to Hollywood's most controversial actress

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Rachel Zegler: From Rising Star to Controversy Amidst ‘Snow White’ Flop

When Rachel Zegler transitioned from an unknown high school student to the lead in West Side Story, the world watched in awe. Her prodigious vocal talent and captivating screen presence seemed to herald the arrival of a Hollywood luminary destined for a long and illustrious career. However, in a dramatic turn of events just four years later, Zegler finds herself at the center of intense controversy, her once-promising trajectory facing significant headwinds following the disappointing release of Disney’s live-action Snow White remake.

The $270 million production debuted to unfavorable reviews and lackluster box office performance, prompting many to question how Zegler, once a celebrated newcomer, landed in such a precarious position. A confluence of factors appears to have contributed, including casting criticisms, alleged on-set tensions, debates over plot alterations, and, most notably, a series of contentious public statements from the actress herself.

While the Snow White movie’s struggles are multifaceted, Zegler’s outspoken nature and critical remarks regarding the original animated film have cast a shadow over her burgeoning career. As Hollywood and audiences gauge her capacity to recover from this turbulent period, this article examines Rachel Zegler’s journey, from her swift ascent to fame to her current predicament.

Meteoric Rise to Prominence: From Viral Video to West Side Story Lead

Rachel Zegler’s journey to stardom began in Clifton, New Jersey. Growing up, she cultivated a passion for performing arts, nurtured by her mother, a school employee, and her father, a construction worker. Her affinity for theater blossomed at a young age, inspired by early exposure to Broadway productions.

From age 12, Zegler immersed herself in school theatricals, participating in productions like “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Les Miserables.” In 2015, she expanded her reach by sharing singing videos on YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), gradually gaining online traction.

A pivotal moment arrived in 2018 when her cover of a “A Star Is Born” song went viral, amassing millions of views across platforms.

Around this time, acclaimed director Steven Spielberg announced an open casting call on X for his new adaptation of West Side Story. Seizing the opportunity, the then 16-year-old Zegler submitted an audition video featuring her vocal talents.

Her audition captivated Spielberg, leading to her selection for the coveted role of Maria from over 30,000 hopefuls, despite her lack of prior professional acting credentials.

Scandal Overshadows Debut: West Side Story Launch Amidst Controversy

Zegler’s inaugural film role encountered immediate turbulence when her co-star, Ansel Elgort, cast as her romantic interest Tony, faced allegations of sexual assault just before the West Side Story premiere.

The accusations, which Elgort refuted as a “consensual” relationship, dominated media coverage and cast a pall over the film’s release and promotional efforts.

Addressing the controversy, Zegler expressed hope that those involved would be given the opportunity to respond respectfully.

Adding to the complexity of her early experiences, Zegler disclosed that during the West Side Story audition process, studio executives requested proof of her Latin heritage.

Despite these challenges, West Side Story, upon its release in 2021, garnered critical acclaim for Zegler’s performance, establishing her as a prominent figure almost instantaneously.

She received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, marking her as the youngest recipient in that category at age 20.

Subsequently, she secured roles in high-profile projects like “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” and “Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” both released in 2023.

Amidst her rapid ascent, Zegler acknowledged the challenges of sudden fame, citing feelings of imposter syndrome and distress from negative online commentary.

Snow White Casting Backlash: Heritage and Representation Debates

The announcement of Rachel Zegler’s casting as Snow White in Disney’s live-action adaptation in 2021 ignited immediate and intense criticism.

Director Marc Webb praised Zegler’s “extraordinary vocal abilities, strength, intelligence, and optimism” as key factors in her selection.

However, some quarters expressed outrage over a Latina actress portraying a character traditionally depicted as having “skin as white as snow” within a German fairytale context.

Zegler responded to the criticism, affirming her role and dismissing any notion of altering her appearance for the part.

She addressed the backlash, noting the unexpected furor and highlighting the underrepresentation of Latina actresses in such iconic roles, despite Snow White’s popularity in Spanish-speaking cultures.

Zegler further elaborated on her heritage and identity, emphasizing her deep connection to her Colombian roots and questioning the imposition of external definitions of identity.

She recounted instances of prejudice and discrimination based on her ethnicity, underscoring the personal impact of the online criticisms and debates surrounding her casting.

Controversial Comments: Snow White Remake and Original Film

The controversy deepened with Rachel Zegler’s remarks about the original animated Snow White film. C

She characterized the 85-year-old cartoon as “dated” in its portrayal of women and their roles, suggesting the remake would prioritize Snow White’s leadership qualities over a traditional romance narrative.

Zegler described the original film’s focus on the prince’s pursuit of Snow White as “weird,” emphasizing the remake’s departure from a central love story.

She further admitted to a childhood aversion to the original movie, stating she found it “scary.”

These statements triggered online backlash, with critics accusing Disney of undue emphasis on “woke” agendas and disrespecting a classic.

David Hand, son of the original film’s director, publicly condemned the remake as “pathetic” and “insulting.”

In response, Zegler defended the updated adaptation, asserting the necessity of modernizing the storyline for contemporary audiences and highlighting the remake’s “politically correct” approach.

Political Statements and Disney’s Concerns

Beyond her film-related comments, Rachel Zegler’s outspoken political views ignited further controversy.

In August 2024, celebrating the Snow White trailer release, Zegler included a “Free Palestine” message on X.

This drew attention due to the film’s co-star, Gal Gadot, being Israeli. Reports indicated that Disney expressed concern about the political association, and producer Marc Platt reportedly addressed the matter with Zegler.

Further reports suggested increased security measures for Gadot due to alleged threats following Zegler’s post.

In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s presidential election victory, Zegler posted a highly critical message on Instagram, expressing disillusionment and wishing “no peace” for Trump supporters.

Facing significant reaction, Zegler subsequently issued an apology, acknowledging that her emotions had influenced her post and affirming everyone’s right to their opinions.

Jonah Platt, son of producer Marc Platt, later criticized Zegler in a now-deleted Instagram post, labeling her “immature” and suggesting “narcissistic” tendencies in response to her public statements and their potential repercussions for the film.

Snow White’s Box Office Failure and Critical Reception

Given the preceding months of controversies, it was perhaps anticipated that Snow White‘s theatrical debut would face challenges.

The film’s box office numbers were indeed disappointing, earning only $87 million globally and $43 million domestically against a substantial $270 million budget.

Disney notably scaled back the film’s promotional activities, opting for minimal press and low-profile screenings instead of a major premiere event.

Critics widely panned the remake, with reviews describing it as “awful” and burdened by “tiresome pseudo-progressive additions.”

One review summarized it as a “boring, mediocre live-action Disney retread” that lacked lasting impact.

DailyMail.com’s critic described it as a “painfully muddle-headed affair” but acknowledged Zegler’s talent, awarding the film a modest two out of five stars.

Rachel Zegler’s Future Trajectory: Can She Recover?

The central question now revolves around Rachel Zegler’s capacity to rebound from the wave of negative publicity and navigate her Hollywood future.

PR expert Jon Harris suggests that Zegler’s career is salvageable, but emphasizes the critical importance of her next steps.

He acknowledged her proven talent but attributed her current predicament to public perception shaped by her statements, particularly regarding Snow White.

Harris pinpointed the tone of her remarks as alienating, lacking “reverence” for the original film, and contributing to a perception of ingratitude or arrogance.

He outlined a potential recovery strategy, advising Zegler to acknowledge feedback, strategically reintroduce herself through thoughtful interviews, and adopt a more relatable online persona.

Harris also underscored the significance of her next role selection, recommending a project that showcases her talent and redirects focus away from controversy.

Brand strategist Eric Schiffer concurred that comeback potential exists but necessitates “a complete personality transplant” and demonstrated humility.

Schiffer stressed the need for tangible actions and accountability beyond apologies, suggesting a “redemption arc” contingent on respecting the audience.

In recent months, Zegler has shifted focus to theater, appearing in Broadway’s “Romeo and Juliet” and preparing for a West End “Evita” revival.

Her future film projects remain unannounced, but the industry closely monitors her next career moves, recognizing their pivotal role in shaping public perception and determining her long-term Hollywood trajectory.

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