- Primary Subject: Rachel Zegler
- Key Update: Rachel Zegler reflected on the "confusing" backlash regarding her Snow White casting.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: March 11, 2026
- Quick Answer: Rachel Zegler addressed the Snow White casting backlash as "confusing," reaffirming her Colombian pride while acknowledging that social media "intent" doesn't always equal "impact."
Rachel Zegler recently reflected on the backlash against her casting in the live-action Snow White movie, a year after its theatrical release.
While critics praised the Golden Globe winner's performance in the film, some audiences had criticized her casting in advance because of her Colombian heritage and questioned why she was cast for the role. The film was a box office disaster and received Razzie Award nominations, although Zegler was not nominated for Worst Actress.
What is Rachel Zegler's Reaction to the Snow White Backlash?
Speaking recently with Harper's Bazaar, Zegler opened up about the backlash against her casting as the titular princess in the live-action adaptation of Snow White.
She shared that she found the backlash "really confusing," especially since she also received a similar response when she was cast in West Side Story.
"I was told I wasn’t enough of one thing for West Side Story and too much of another for Snow White," the actress said.
Nevertheless, Zegler did not let herself be affected by the criticisms of her casting due to her heritage.
"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," she said.
"But I do think there’s an argument to be made that, 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."
Zegler also addressed the backlash against her social media post in support of Palestine during the film's press tour. While she stands by her decision, she also saw the controversy as "a complete study in intent versus impact."
"You live and you learn, and there’s a caution that comes with that. There’s an understanding that the temptation to speak doesn’t always mean that it must be done, and that there are a lot of opportunities to make more meaningful change than a tweet," she said.
What is Snow White About and Where Can You Stream?
The live-action adaptation of Snow White follows a princess who joins forces with seven dwarfs and a group of rebels to liberate her kingdom from her cruel stepmother, the Evil Queen.
Aside from Zegler, the cast also includes Gal Gadot (as the Evil Queen), Andrew Burnap, Patrick Page, Andrew Barth Feldman, and Jeremy Swift.
The film is currently available to stream on Disney+ worldwide.
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