Rachel Zegler is addressing the controversy that erupted after she was cast as Snow White in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake.
In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the 24-year-old actor reflected on the intense criticism that followed the announcement of her role in the 2025 adaptation of the 1937 animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Zegler said the online backlash became overwhelming at times and even made her consider stepping away from social media entirely.
“Looking back, if I had known the threats to my safety that would follow, I probably would have just tossed my phone into the ocean,” she said.
The casting announcement sparked debate among some critics who objected to a Latina actor playing the character. Zegler’s mother is Colombian American.
Zegler noted that she has faced criticism from different directions throughout her career.
When she was cast as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 film West Side Story, she said some online commentators argued she was not Latina enough for the role because her father is Polish.
“I was caught in a lose-lose situation,” Zegler said, describing how the criticism shifted depending on the project.
The actor also became part of a separate controversy after voicing support for Palestinian human rights on social media, which she said contributed to the wave of criticism.
Despite the challenges, Zegler said the experience has given her a new perspective on navigating fame and public debate.
