Rachel Zegler is confronting the backlash she has faced in response to her casting as Snow White in Disney’s live-action remake, set to hit theaters on March 21. In a recent cover interview, the actress, known for her role in West Side Story, addressed the criticism surrounding the film, attributing it to the public’s deep passion for the iconic character and the original 1937 animated classic.
“I interpret people’s feelings about this film as their passion for her,” Zegler said in Spanish, referring to the fervor surrounding Snow White. “What an honor to be a part of something for which people feel so much passion. We’re not always going to have the same sentiments as those around us, and all we can do is give the best of ourselves.”
The backlash against Zegler’s casting first erupted in 2021, fueled by racially charged comments targeting her Latinx heritage. Zegler, who is of Colombian and Polish descent, has since alluded to the controversy but did not directly address it in the interview. She drew a parallel to the backlash faced by Halle Bailey, who was similarly criticized for being cast as Ariel in Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid. Despite the initial racism directed at Bailey, Zegler noted the positive impact of her casting: “Now I see what a beautiful experience it was for all the Black girls around the world to see Halle play Ariel,” she said, highlighting the power of representation.
The second wave of criticism came after Zegler’s comments at the 2022 D23 Expo, where she described the 1937 animated Snow White as “dated” and pointed out that Prince Charming “literally stalks” Snow White in the original. In response to this, Zegler expressed her understanding of the audience’s attachment to the classic, clarifying, “It’s very important for the audience to know that Disney has found this beautiful and delicate equilibrium between the 1937 animated classic that everyone knows and loves, and at the same time, presents it to this new generation.”
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