Did Rachel Zegler Snowball the Snow White Backlash? (Spoiler: Kinda… But Let’s Talk About It)

Let’s not be dramatic (okay, let’s be a little dramatic)—but if Snow White ends up being more of a poisoned apple than a box office hit, Rachel Zegler may have accidentally helped write that plot twist.

Is it all her fault? Absolutely not. This is Disney we’re talking about—a global empire that could misplace a glass slipper all on its own. But Rachel, our leading lady, might’ve tugged on the wrong storyline threads during the pre-release tour.

The Tale of the PR Tour That Wasn’t So Magical

Let’s rewind to the interview that lit up the internet faster than a fairy godmother on deadline. Rachel, radiant and articulate, was asked about the original 1937 Snow White. Her response?

“I watched it once as a kid, and I didn’t really like it. It scared me.”

Cue millions of Disney fans clutching their collector’s edition Blu-rays in collective gasp.

Now, it’s fair—Snow White can be a little creepy. That Evil Queen? Yikes. But when you’re cast as the live-action embodiment of one of Disney’s most iconic characters, maybe don’t lead with “I didn’t watch it, and it freaked me out.” Not the best way to win over the nostalgic crowd.

The Not-So-Charming Prince

She didn’t stop there. In another interview, Rachel critiqued the classic storyline:

“The prince? He’s a guy who literally stalks her. Weird.”

Yikes again. While many appreciated the effort to modernize the tale, the way she said it came off as dismissive—not just of the character, but of the fans who’ve cherished this fairytale for generations.

The issue wasn’t the idea of evolving the story—it was the tone. Instead of inviting the audience along for a fresh take, it felt like she was saying, “Forget that dusty old story, this is the real one.” And when you’re talking about Disney’s very first animated feature? Yeah… that’s a bold move.

Fame is a Lot (Especially at 23)

Now, before we cue the pitchforks, let’s take a breath and acknowledge: Rachel Zegler is 23. She went from school plays to West Side Story to Disney princess status faster than you can say “Hi-ho.”

She’s talented. She’s still learning. And when your face is tied to a billion-dollar brand and every sentence you say becomes a meme… it’s easy to trip over a few enchanted branches. We get it. She’s finding her footing in glass slippers.

Joylessness vs. Joyfulness

One of the biggest critiques of the whole Snow White roll-out? Rachel didn’t seem all that excited to be Snow White. And let’s be honest—being a Disney princess is kind of a big deal. It’s like winning the cinematic lottery.

Instead, her comments felt more academic than magical. More “film theory” than fairy tale. It left fans wondering: Does she even like this character?

It didn’t help that her tone in many interviews seemed… joyless. In the world of Disney, joyless is a bigger red flag than a poisoned apple.

But Let’s Give Her the Benefit of the (Dwarf) Doubt

Rachel didn’t intend to upset anyone. She was probably trying to be honest, thoughtful, and modern. But honesty without warmth can sound cold—and modern without magic isn’t Disney.

To her credit, she’s not out here being rude or unkind. She just misread the room—or in this case, the enchanted forest.

Before the Seven Dwarfs Lawyer Up

Rachel Zegler didn’t single-handedly doom Snow White (if it even flops). But her comments have made it a tougher sell for fans who expected a celebration of something timeless—not a teardown of a classic.

Still, she’s young, she’s learning, and she might just need a better PR wand. Give her time. Maybe she’ll look back on this promo cycle and cringe just enough to grow from it. (Haven’t we all?)

After all, the real story here isn’t about a poisoned apple—it’s about a princess learning what not to say before the next enchanted press tour.

TL;DR: Rachel Zegler said Snow White scared her, implied the prince was creepy, and may have accidentally turned her press tour into a case study in how not to woo Disney fans. But she’s young, talented, and probably just caught off guard by how loud the internet can get. She didn’t tank the movie solo—but she definitely stirred the cauldron.

So who’s fault is it?

Ah, the million-dollar (or maybe multimillion-dollar) question: whose fault is it if Disney’s Snow White flops?

Short answer: it’s not just Rachel Zegler’s fault—but she’s definitely a supporting character in the drama.

Here’s the honest, no-tea-no-shade breakdown of who’s holding slices of the poisoned pie:

1. The Studio (Disney) – The Executive Overlords

% of blame: 50%

Disney greenlit the direction, the casting, the script, the messaging, everything. They made a bold choice: take a nostalgic, beloved fairytale and modernize it—but in doing so, they also underestimated how fiercely protective fans are of the original.

They could’ve coached Rachel better. They could’ve framed the updates with more reverence. They could’ve leaned into the magic instead of turning it into a think piece on 21st-century feminism (which is fine, but… maybe not the best fit for a story about singing forest animals).

2. The Messaging and Marketing Team – The PR Fairy Godparents (Who Were Apparently on Vacation)

% of blame: 25%

Rachel’s interviews went viral not because she was mean or wrong, but because they lacked media polish. It’s the PR team’s job to prep their star with messaging that protects the brand, honors the legacy, and connects with the fanbase.

Instead, we got:

• “The prince is a stalker.”
• “I never liked Snow White.”
• “This isn’t about love.”

All of which could’ve been reworded as:

• “We’re reimagining the story with a modern lens, but still honoring the heart of the original.” Boom. Magic. No pitchforks.

3. Rachel Zegler – The (New) Face of the Franchise

% of blame: 15%

Let’s be real—she’s incredibly talented, but this was a high-stakes role. When you become the Disney princess, you carry more than just the role—you carry the legacy. Her interviews lacked warmth, charm, and Disney sparkle. She came across more dismissive than delighted, more critique than celebration.

Was it intentional? Probably not. She’s young. New to fame. Possibly overwhelmed. But perception is everything, and fans felt like she wasn’t protecting the story they love.

4. The Internet – The Mirror on the Wall

% of blame: 10%

We love building people up and tearing them down, don’t we? Once one clip went viral, the algorithm did what it does best: amplify the backlash. Every quote got dissected. Every eyebrow raise became symbolic. The audience loves a villain—and Rachel accidentally got cast as one.

The Verdict:

If Snow White flops, it’s because Disney lost the plot—not just the fairytale one but also the marketing and message strategy.
Rachel? She fumbled a few lines—but the script she was handed was flawed to begin with.

Let’s just say… it’s a tale of too many cooks, and not enough charm.