It seems Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) is getting under the skin of conservatives and Disney purists online. Comments Zegler made last year at the D23 Expo resurfaced this past weekend where she talked about how different her live-action movie version of Snow White was going to be in comparison to the original animated film released more than eight decades ago.
“I mean, you know, the original cartoon came out in 1937 and very evidently so,” Zegler said from the red carpet. “There’s a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her.”
Zegler added: “It’s really not about the love story at all, which is really, really wonderful.”
Of course, conservatives predictably slammed Zegler’s take on the Disney classic. Cue phrases like “woke agenda.” It’s their go-to attack whenever they are unhappy with something Hollywood is doing, especially if it’s trying to deliver a more progressive narrative or make casting decisions that are more diverse.
Conservatives like transphobic and racist podcaster Matt Walsh had plenty to say about what Zegler described as a “different approach” to the Snow White story. Last year, Walsh complained about Disney casting a Black actress for the live-action version of The Little Mermaid, too, so he’s staying on brand.
Another old interview circulating online features Zegler and Snow White co-star Gal Gadot discussing why the new film needed to be updated for 21st-century audiences.
“The reality is that the cartoon was made 85 years ago, and, therefore, it’s extremely dated when it comes to the ideas of women being in roles of power, and what a woman is fit for in the world,” Zegler said.
It’s likely that more Rachel Zegler detractors will continue to pile on until the film hits theaters next year. Until then, we’ll remind you that she has spoken highly of the character herself and the fact that she has gotten the opportunity to play the role.
Depending on what study you read, there also may or may not be a link between Disney Princess culture and negative impacts on children.
This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, Snow White being covered here wouldn’t exist.
