Disney'sSnow WhiteControversy Explained: Unpacking the Rachel Zegler–Gal Gadot Musical's Rocky Road

Mar. 15, 2025

Disney’s reimagining ofSnow Whitehas fans buzzing with excitement about the animation-to-live-action leap, but the film has also faced its fair share of backlash.

Well beforeSnow White, starringRachel ZeglerandGal Gadot, hits theaters March 21, it has been targeted for its story changes and what some feel is a negatively “woke” approach to the character — the first Disney Princess, who was introduced in the company’s first-ever animated feature, 1937’sSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Zegler, 23, has spoken out about the backlash, which has also included criticism of Snow White’s look and more. In a recent interview withVogue Mexico, the actress said, “I interpret people’s feelings about this film as their passion for [the Snow White character] and what an honor to be a part ofsomething that people are so passionate about."

“We are not always going to have the same feelings as everyone around us and all that we can do is do our best,” Zegler added.

Read on for more about the controversy surroundingSnow White.

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Andrew Burnap and Rachel Zegler inSnow White(2025).Giles Keyte/Disney

Giles Keyte/Disney

“Before long, the Evil Queen has assumed leadership of the kingdom, manifesting her cruel nature. And when her magic mirror reveals that Snow White is the fairest in all the land, she is furious, and quickly devises a scheme to get rid of the princess,” it continues.

Rachel Zegler inSnow White(2025).Courtesy of Disney

Courtesy of Disney

“But there was also an opportunity to re-tell the mythology to reflect the times that we’re in, and I think all good stories evolve over time,” added Webb, 50. “They become reflections of the world that we live in and what we want the world to be to a degree.”

Gal Gadot inSnow White(2025).Courtesy of Disney

She later said in a 2024 interview withVarietythat Snow White’sname has a different origin storyin the new film than the original animated Disney movie — which, along with the 19th centuryGrimms fairy tale, describes the character as having “skin as white as snow.”

TheWest Side Storystar faced criticism once again during 2022’s D23 Expo, where she described the original movie as “dated” and added that Prince Charming “literally stalks” Snow White.

In her recent interview withVogue Mexico, Zegler explained, “It’s very important for the public to know that Disney has found this beautiful and delicate balance between the 1937 animated classic that everyone knows and loves, and at the same time, introduces it to this new generation.”

Rachel Zegler (center) inSnow White(2025).Disney

Disney

“Literally no offense to anyone, but I was a little taken aback — they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White,” he said. “But you’re still telling the story ofSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me.”

Added theGame of Thronesalum, 55, “You’re progressive in one way but then you’re still making that f—ing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f— are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soap box? I guess I’m not loud enough.”

Disney addressed Dinklage’s criticisms in a statement shared withThe Hollywood Reporter. A spokesperson told the outlet, “To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community.”

They added, “We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.”

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Rachel Zegler at the European premiere ofSnow Whitein Segovia, Spain, on March 12, 2025.Pablo Cuadra/Getty

Pablo Cuadra/Getty

In a 2023 interview withThe Telegraph, David Hand — the son of one of the co-directors of the animatedSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs, who was also named David Hand — slammed the new movie as lacking “respect” for the original.

Hand, 93, toldThe Telegraph, perEntertainment Weekly, “It’s a whole different concept, and I just totally disagree with it.” He also called it a “disgrace” that the live-action treatment is “trying to do something new with something that was such a great success earlier.”

“Their thoughts are just so radical now. They change the stories, they change the thought process of the characters. … They’remaking up new woke things, and I’m just not into any of that,” Hand said.

Rumors of a rift between Zegler and Gadot, 39, have bubbled up, though the two appeared at D23 together last year and, more recently, presented at the 2025Academy Awardson March 2.

Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot presenting at the 97th Oscars in Los Angeles on March 2, 2025.Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty

Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty

Zegler chatted with fellow Disney PrincessHalle Bailey, who played Ariel in the 2023 live-actionLittle Mermaid, forVarietythat same year, where they discussed handling criticism.

“Choosing thankfulness and gratefulness is choosing peace,” Zegler said at the time. “As much as you’d like to remind people verbally that being in the spotlight doesn’t absolve you of your humanity — that you’re allowed to have human moments — it doesn’t necessarily do what you want it to do. It fuels them more. So it’s choosing to be present and know that they’re probably just having a really hard day. And I’m putting out a movie.”

Continued Zegler, “I feel so thankful for those moments because it started to make me feel like solid Teflon. That nothing can hurt anymore because they’ve said the worst that can be said. You just say, ‘Thank you so much for this. I have a lot of love in my life, and I’m very thankful.’ "

“We get to do our work and have that speak for itself instead,” Zegler added.

Snow Whiteis in theaters March 21.

source: people.com