Advertisement
has opened up about the backlash she faced after being cast as Snow White in Disney's 2025 box office bomb.
The actress, 24, branded it a very 'confusing time' after growing up proud of her Colombian-Polish heritage before vile tolls claimed her skin was not the right colour to play the fictional fairytale princess.
Rachel spoke to Harper's Bazaar UK while posing for a stunning floral themed spring shoot as she vowed 'never to assimilate for anybody else's comfort'.
She told the publication that she'd not only faced trolling but also threats to her safety, after being branded not Latino enough for her role as María in 's West Side Story, but then too Latino for Snow White.
‘I was told I wasn’t enough of one thing for and too much of another for Snow White. It was a really confusing time to be in my early twenties and hearing that'.
'I grew up proud of being Colombian – eating the food, wearing the dresses, drinking the coffee, doing all the things that were so intrinsic to who I was as a kid and who I am as an adult – but I do think there’s an argument to be made that.'
Rachel Zegler, 24, has opened up about the backlash she faced after being cast as Snow White in Disney's 2025 box office bomb
The actress branded it a very 'confusing time' after growing up proud of her Colombian heritage before vile tolls claimed her skin was not the right colour to play a fictional princess
'In the public eye at least, when you’re two things, you’re simultaneously nothing. But I refuse to assimilate for anybody else’s comfort.’
She went on: ‘If I’d been able to predict everything that would come my way, the threats to my safety, I would have just thrown my phone into the ocean. I think any sane person would have.’
Advertisement
Elsewhere in the interview Rachel explained how integral therapy had been to her mental health since she was catapulted into superstardom.
'I long for a time when it’s not taboo to talk about and explore in a way that is universal and accessible. Everybody deserves to understand what’s going on in their own mind and heart.’
The Snow White remake, directed by Marc Webb, was plagued with controversy and amid the movie's press tour it was speculated that there was a behind-the-scenes clash between Rachel and co-star Gal Gadot.
It was believed to be over their opposing views on the years-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Gal is notably from Israel
Adding fuel to the fire, days ago fans noticed that Rachel unfollowed Gal on Instagram.
Rachel spoke to Harper's Bazaar UK while posing for a stunning floral themed spring shoot as she vowed 'never to assimilate for anybody else's comfort'
She told the publication that she'd not only faced trolling online but also threats to her safety
She was branded not Latino enough for her role as María in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story, but then too Latino for Snow White
‘I was told I wasn’t enough of one thing for West Side Story and too much of another for Snow White. It was a really confusing time to be in my early twenties and hearing that'
There were also disputes as the studio gave the film, based on the 1937 original cartoon, a politically correct revamp.
Advertisement
In 2022, Rachel supported the contemporary take on the story, telling Vanity Fair, 'It needed that.'
Peter Dinklage later weighed in, slamming Disney for remaking what he called a 'f***ing backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together.'
Amid the backlash, the large scale premiere meant to be held at Leicester Square in London was cancelled.
'Disney are already anticipating an anti-woke backlash against Snow White and have reduced the media schedule to just a handful of tightly controlled press events,' a source told People at the time.
It was added: 'That is why they have taken the highly unusual step not to host a London premiere for the film and are minimizing the amount of press questions that Rachel Zegler gets.'
Gal pointed to anti-Israel sentiment as the reason for the e of Disney's live-action remake.
She later backpedalled on her statement.
'In the public eye at least, when you’re two things, you’re simultaneously nothing. But I refuse to assimilate for anybody else’s comfort’
She went on: ‘If I’d been able to predict everything that would come my way, the threats to my safety, I would have just thrown my phone into the ocean. I think any sane person would have’
Elsewhere in the interview Rachel explained how integral therapy had been to her mental health since she was catapulted into superstardom
Advertisement
Read Rachel's full interview in Harpers Bazaar UK out now
Elsewhere in the interview Rachel explained how integral therapy had been to her mental health since she was catapulted into superstardom.
After a clip of her discussing the film's low turnout with Israeli TV show The A Talks circulated, she used Instagram to clarify her comments.
The Wonder Woman star wrote to her 107 million followers: 'I was honored to join an extraordinary interview with inspiring interviewers, whose questions go straight to the heart.
'Sometimes we respond to questions from an emotional place. When the film came out, I felt that those who are against Israel criticized me in a very personal, almost visceral way.'
Gal noted, 'They saw me, first and foremost, as an Israeli, not as an actress. That’s the perspective I spoke from when I answered the question.'
And she wrote via Instagram Stories, 'Of course, the film didn’t fail solely because of external pressures.
'There are many factors that determine why a film succeeds or fails. Success is never guaranteed.'
Read Rachel's full interview in Harpers Bazaar UK out now
Advertisement
