Rachel Zegler Faces Renewed Backlash Over 'Snow White' Amid Controversy

Rachel Zegler, the lead actress in Disney's upcoming live-action Snow White remake, has once again found herself at the center of controversy as the film approaches its March 21 release.

The $270 million project has been plagued by criticism over its modern reinterpretation of the 1937 animated classic, from casting choices to changes in the storyline and characters.

Zegler recently attempted to pay homage to Adriana Caselotti, the voice of the original Snow White, by sharing photos on Instagram styled in a look inspired by Caselotti.

She captioned the post: "Just had to pay homage to the original Snow White, Miss Adriana Caselotti, to whom I owe everything." However, fans were quick to criticize her apparent change in tone, given her past remarks disparaging the original film as "sexist" and outdated.

In earlier interviews, Zegler described the prince in the original movie as a "stalker" and dismissed its focus on romance as "weird," asserting that the new version would center on Snow White's leadership aspirations rather than a love story.

The remake has also drawn ire for reimagining the Seven Dwarfs as a diverse group of "magical creatures" of varying genders and races, a decision criticized by both fans and actors like Peter Dinklage, who called it a "backward story."

Additionally, Zegler's casting as a Latina actress sparked backlash from some who felt it strayed too far from the original character's depiction.

Disney has reportedly scaled back promotional efforts for the film amid fears of further backlash. The Hollywood premiere at El Capitan Theatre will feature limited media coverage, while plans for a London premiere were scrapped entirely.

Insiders have suggested that Disney is eager to minimize negative attention surrounding both Zegler’s outspoken comments and ongoing rumors of tension between her and co-star Gal Gadot, who portrays the Evil Queen.

The controversies have not only impacted public perception but also strained relationships behind the scenes. Reports indicate that Disney executives have struggled to manage Zegler’s outspoken nature, with sources describing her as a "loose cannon" during production.

Despite this, some insiders believe the controversies may ultimately boost ticket sales by generating publicity.

Adding to the drama, actor Martin Klebba, who voices Grumpy in the remake, expressed disappointment over Disney’s decision to scale back promotional events. He lamented that the controversies surrounding political opinions and casting choices have overshadowed the hard work of everyone involved in the film.

While early reviews for Snow White remain under embargo, Disney faces an uphill battle in convincing audiences that its modernized take on one of its most beloved classics can overcome its divisive reception.