The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbird & Snakes star Tom Blyth offers a heartfelt defense of co-star Rachel Zegler amid ongoing media scrutiny and public backlash.
Speaking to The Independent, Blyth opened up about the challenges of dealing with public scrutiny in today’s fast-paced digital culture. He said that filming 2023’s Hunger Games prequel taught him “not to buy into [things] too much,” adding: “I know why I do this. It’s not for the attention. It’s for the love of it.“
Blyth also spoke warmly about Zegler, describing her as “like a little sister“ to him. He acknowledged the particular difficulty she faces as a young woman in the public eye, noting: “It’s just such a harsh world out there.” Despite the backlash, he praised Zegler’s resilience, stating: “She takes it on the chin like a champ […] I’m proud of her.“
Blyth’s defense of his former co-star comes amid increasing conversations about celebrity activism following Zegler’s Snow White controversies. In recent months, Zegler has been vocal on topics including Israel and Palestine, racism, feminism, and American politics, which has drawn waves of criticism and trolling online. However, Blyth highlights Zegler’s resolve and work ethic despite the ongoing backlash.
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was released in 2023 and is a prequel to the iconic Hunger Games franchise. Based on Suzanne Collins’ 2020 novel of the same name, the film follows Coriolanus “Coryo” Snow (Blyth) as he mentors Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler), a District 12 tribute whose story intertwines with Snow’s rise in Panem’s political and social hierarchy.
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes brought both Blyth and Zegler into the spotlight – the Hunger Games prequel grossed $349 million at the box office – introducing them to a franchise with a pᴀssionate and vocal fanbase. Blyth’s candid remarks reveal his thoughts on navigating that public scrutiny, offering perspective on how both he and Zegler have handled visibility following the film’s release.
Both Blyth and Zegler have continued to take on high-profile projects since The Hunger Games. Zegler recently led Disney’s critically panned live-action Snow White. However, her West End debut as Eva Perón in Evita was well-received. Zegler has also been cast in comedy-drama She Gets It From Me alongside Marisa Tomei, although no release date is known.
Blyth, meanwhile, has starred as the lead in Billy the Kid since 2022, with a slew of films on the way, including Netflix’s People We Meet on Vacation, which will debut in January 2026. Blyth will also co-lead the upcoming Watch Dogs movie, the British drama Wasteman, and the English-language French film The Fence, illustrating his rise since The Hunger Games.
