Rachel Zegler disclosed that she encountered severe backlash and threats to her safety following her casting as Snow White in Disney’s adaptation. The actress, who is of Colombian descent, said she would have
“thrown her phone into the ocean”
if she had anticipated the level of hostility she faced, centered around her portraying a character traditionally described as “white as snow.” This experience highlighted the controversy around diversity in casting for classic roles.
Mixed Criticism and Support from Industry Figures
Zegler reflected on the contradiction of being criticized as both insufficiently fitting one role and excessively so for another, saying she felt “confused” by the backlash. Despite the negativity, she found encouragement from respected figures such as British actress Dame Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu. Recently, Zegler expanded her career by making her West End debut in the musical Evita, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to performing arts.
Commitment to Representation Despite Challenges
The actress expressed a desire for greater maturity in public responses and reaffirmed her dedication to paving the way for women of color in princess roles at Disney. Her experience underscores ongoing tensions regarding race and representation in Hollywood casting decisions, illustrating broader debates about inclusivity within the entertainment industry.
“I would have thrown my phone into the ocean if I had foreseen the intense backlash to my casting as Snow White.”
– Rachel Zegler
“I was confused by the criticism that I wasn’t enough of one thing for West Side Story and too much of another for Snow White.”
– Rachel Zegler
“I have received support from British actress Dame Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu.”
– Rachel Zegler
