Rachel Zegler’s casting in Disney’s live-action Snow White movie may have divided social media, but one fellow Disney Princess actor has offered her support. Serving as the live-action remake of the 1937 animated classic, the lead-up to the movie’s release has often been overshadowed by online debate about the role of diversity in Hollywood and attempts to modernize beloved tales to address evolving societal standards. Zegler herself has previously addressed the backlash surrounding her casting, choosing to focus instead on the positive impact her role has on young audiences.
With Snow White now entering its opening weekend in US theaters, Zegler took to Instagram to share a heartfelt reflection on her time making the movie and offer fans a behind-the-scenes look at the London-based production. Suggesting that she “learned hard lessons” during filming, Zegler explained that in the four years since she was first cast in the leading role, she had matured in a way that could not be accurately described.
Sparking a flood of comments, one key response came from The Little Mermaid’s Halle Bailey, who offered her own support to Zegler. Suggesting that she was “so proud” of her fellow Disney princess, Bailey’s offer of encouragement is but one of the many the Snow White actor received for the release of the movie that she described as “a huge chunk of my heart.” Check out the original post and Bailey’s comment below:
\n”‘};
window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“instagram”] = “null”;
What Halle Bailey’s Support Means For Snow White’s Release
The Little Mermaid Star Faced Similar Online Backlash
While the controversy surrounding Disney’s live-action Snow White may be the latest example of the studio’s diverse casting practices sparking significant debate, Bailey is also no stranger to the kind of responses that Zegler has experienced. First announced as Ariel in 2019, the decision to cast a Black actor as the live-action version of the classic animated character also sparked a torrent of pᴀssionate online discussion. At the time, Bailey experienced much of the same kind of online vitriol being directed towards Zegler, with Bailey’s own sister suggesting that “it’s hard to carry the weight of the world on your own.“
Amid all the conversations concerning the role of diversity and representation in cinema, and the political implications of seeking to reinterpret classic works with progressive sensibilities, it is sometimes easy to forget that at the center of both films were two young actors suddenly thrust into a social media storm well beyond their ability to control or distance themselves from. Like Zegler, Bailey has first-hand experience in precisely the kinds of tough life lessons she refers to in her post, and her support is likely based on far more than the relatively superficial connection of simply being another Disney princess.
Our Take On Snow White’s Opening Weekend Chances Amid Zegler Backlash
The Little Mermaid Still Succeeded Despite Predictions To The Contrary
Image via Disney
Despite the considerable backlash generated by Bailey’s casting as Ariel in The Little Mermaid, the film would not only go on to generate a solid $569 million at the worldwide box office, more than doubling its original budget, but it would also perform well as a streaming тιтle on Disney+. Pulling in more than 16 million views in its first five days, the movie’s numbers would ultimately prove that predictions the movie would flop were grossly overstated and patently unfounded.
However, while such commentary may never affect the movie’s bottom line, it is still bound to have a lasting impact on the performers and creatives whose professional decisions have inadvertently placed them in the crosshairs of social media vitriol.
Whether Snow White will be able to replicate this feat, and offer additional proof that pᴀssionate online debate does not always directly translate to the box office, remains to be seen. However, while such commentary may never affect the movie’s bottom line, it is still bound to have a lasting impact on the performers and creatives whose professional decisions have inadvertently placed them in the crosshairs of social media vitriol.
Source: Rachel Zegler/Instagram
