Warning: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Snow White (2025)!

Although fans have debated the casting of the live-action Snow White for four years, Rachel Zegler has proven she was, without a doubt, the perfect choice for the 2025 film. Snow White was Disney’s first feature-length animated film, so the decision to make a live-action adaptation was bound to ruffle feathers no matter what. Some people get so stuck in their ways that they can’t appreciate any modernizations or changes, even though that’s the nature of an adaptation. However, the live-action Snow White quickly developed controversy after controversy, to the point that it has overshadowed the actual film itself.

One of the biggest controversies was the casting of Rachel Zegler as Snow White. Her success in the 2021 West Side Story lent some credibility to the casting, and it convinced me that she could handle the pressure of playing an iconic character. However, Disney fans have spent four years debating whether she should have been in the cast of Snow White. Four years after her casting announcement, I think it’s fair to say that Zegler was always the perfect choice to play Snow White.

Rachel Zegler’s Performance Is One Of The Best Parts Of Snow White

Rachel Zegler Pulls Inspiration From The Original Snow White While Transforming The Character.

Snow White is a deeply flawed movie, but one thing is for sure – Rachel Zegler is the heart and soul of the film. Rather than trying to replicate the performance of Adriana Caselotti, Zegler takes on Snow White’s existing core traits while making the character her own. She manages to embody all the wonderful attributes that exist in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, such as humility, soft-spoken kindness, and optimism. Zegler even keeps Snow’s naïveté, albeit to a lower degree, making characters like the huntsman and dwarfs want to help her.

At the same time, Zegler adds characteristics necessary to accommodate the narrative changes that the live-action movie makes to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Because Snow was a classic damsel-in-distress in the 1937 film, she could act more docile and submissive. However, the 2025 movie makes Snow White the hero of her story in many ways, requiring more active traits that contribute to defeating the Evil Queen. Her spunkiness and invigoration are a breath of fresh air. She also possesses an undying belief that the world can be a better place not through force or power but through kindness.

Somehow, Zegler balances all these competing characteristics without them feeling like contradictions. Her well-rounded character exudes an authenticity and warmth that makes even the most poorly written scenes feel magical. She even mirrors the Disney Princess mannerism, which makes me feel nostalgic. I wish every naysayer would apologize to Rachel Zegler for doubting her abilities because the young actor was terrific in this role. The only disappointment is that the live-action Snow White didn’t rise to her level.

Rachel Zegler’s Singing Abilities Further Elevate Her Version Of Snow White

Rachel Zegler Has Incredible Vocal Technique That Elevates Her Songs

Rachel Zegler’s phenomenal acting abilities are only one half of the equation that contributed to her incredible version of Snow White. The other half is her singing abilities. Obviously, “Waiting on a Wish” is the showstopper “I Want” song, but she’s excellent in every other song, too. Zegler has a nightingale-like voice that I’d probably classify as a lyrical soprano. She brings her musical theater experience into the songs, acting through her vocals just as much as she’s acting through her body.

Her voice leans warm most of the time, but she knows how to use silvery and sparkly tones as well, which comes into play often during Snow White. She transitions from quietness to belting, sing-speaking to sing-singing, delicate to strong. While Paul and Pasek’s incredible songwriting and lyrics play a large factor in the songs’ catchiness, Zegler’s vocal choices provide an ebb and flow to the songs that adds emotion and variation. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t tear up a few times when listening to her singing.

Her technique and training are apparent when listening to the Snow White soundtrack. Zegler does a great job using her mixed voice when necessary, connecting her head and chest voice. She enunciates every word. Moreover, the actor also has a gorgeous, intentional vibrato that’s a treat to hear when it pops up in Snow White since she doesn’t overuse it.

Rachel Zegler Has A Great Understanding Of What Snow White Should Stand For

Kindness Is The Core Trait Of Both Versions Of Snow White

One of the factors that undoubtedly helped Rachel Zegler when filming Disney’s Snow White the fact that she loves and understands the character. Leading up to the release of Snow White, Rachel Zegler has repeatedly spoken about how much she loves everything Snow White stands for. When speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Zegler said this:

“Her superpower is her heart. There is no supernatural power that Snow White possesses beyond her love for humanity, for all living creatures, and her fundamental belief that there is goodness in everything. That’s something I really believe the world could take advantage of more.”

During an interview with Allure, Rachel Zegler reflected on why the Snow White remake was important for younger audiences to see. She thinks that a version of Snow White exists in all of us, a hopeful sentiment that shows Zegler has just as much optimism as the main character of her film. She said this:

“[I]t’s so important for the next generation to see movies like Snow White — to realize there’s nothing wrong with choosing to do what’s right and that it doesn’t have to be with anger or a clenched fist. Anger can be a powerful emotion, but it doesn’t bring the brightest future. [It uncovers] fear, insecurity, and a lack of love. Snow White chooses kindness and still makes change. Power takes many forms. I hope we’ll see a new dawn of kindness and acceptance in the next couple of years.”

Although it’s certainly a more modern interpretation, Zegler’s statements about the character match up with the original version of the character just as much as they do the 2025 remake. Snow White’s defining trait was always her kindness towards everyone around her, including the animals and dwarfs. This becomes the trait that allows her to successfully take back her kingdom at the end of Disney’s Snow White.

Snow White Proves The “Debate” Over Rachel Zegler’s Casting Was Always Unwarranted

The 4-Year Snow White Debate Never Should Have Happened In The First Place