Disney’s live-action Snow White remake was one of the most controversial movies of 2025, and star Rachel Zegler has finally spoken out about the controversies surrounding the film. The handling of the Seven Dwarfs, the story changes, and the involvements of Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot in the Snow White cast were the topics of all kinds of conversations online, turning the Disney film into a frequent talking point in political circles. Unfortunately, many of the valid criticisms were overshadowed by attacks, with Rachel Zegler being unfairly targeted by many online circles up until the film’s release.
Speaking with i-D, Rachel Zegler gave a retrospective on how being at the center of these attacks affected her, and the lessons that she is carrying forward into the future of her career. Zegler explains that she heavily relied on her psychiatrist throughout the film’s production, and the idea that “What [she’s] going through isn’t normal” reᴀssured her. While she criticizes those who attacked her online, Zegler also refuses to frame herself as a victim, saying “I think a victim mindset is a choice, and I don’t choose it.” Here is an excerpt from i-D‘s piece on the issue:
When sh*t really hit the fan, she left New York to go home to New Jersey, spending time with her family and her dog. “My f***ing psychiatrist has seen me through all of it,” she says. She needed someone to remind her that, “’What you’re going through isn’t normal’,” she says. “That sentence did such wonders for me in multiple situations in my life.” She got medicated for her anxiety too, “which was truly a game changer, because I just wasn’t functioning. And I wanted to function in a way that made me feel confident in the way I was moving through the world.” Soon, she was able to rationalize things that previously felt big and insurmountable.
There’s a framing online of Zegler as a self-defined victim of it all. “I think a victim mindset is a choice, and I don’t choose it,” she says pointedly. “I also don’t choose nastiness in the face of it. I don’t choose negativity in the face of it. I choose positivity and light and happiness. And I do believe at times, happiness is absolutely a choice, and every day I wake up and I think I’m very lucky to live the life I live.”
What Rachel Zegler’s Comments Mean For Snow White
How Can This Situation Be Avoided In The Future?
Hearing Rachel Zegler’s perspective on the Snow White issues is a reminder that, while the people in these movies are celebrities, they are still people. It can be easy for some to feel like their online comments won’t be seen by those who are involved in the film. However, it isn’t hard at all for someone involved in a movie to see these negative comments. Snow What meant that Rachel Zegler had to see a barrage of disparaging comments about her, and the tidal wave of negativity would be likely to affect anyone’s mental health.
Unfortunately, many of the attacks levied at Rachel Zegler and Snow White were racist, Sєxist, and involved other types of bigotry. People also attacked Zegler’s political stances and outspoken support of Palestinians. Since Snow White was a major release, many unsavory actors used it as an opportunity to attack the actress and others involved with the film for seemingly no reason other than to be a bully and a bigot. This magnified the conversation around Snow White, as the film was used as a motte and bailey in order to attack those involved with the film.
Our Take On The Aftermath Of The Snow White Controversies
We Need To Remember That Actors Are Also Real People
Film criticism is a good thing, and there is nothing wrong with discussing the merits and quality of a piece of art. However, Snow White is a reminder to those of us who are involved in online film communities to call out the behaviors that unfairly targeted Rachel Zegler.
However, we should also not conflate genuine criticism with these bullies and bigots. There is a tendency for some overly-defensive people to lump genuine critics of movies like Snow White in with the people who used bigoted attacks on Rachel Zegler and the film. If online communities do these things, hopefully we can create a more positive film environment while protecting those who are involved in the films, avoiding situations like the Snow White controversies.
