The live-action remake of Disney’s Snow White has been at the center of controversy, with actress Rachel Zegler facing backlash for her off-screen comments and social media posts. Amid accusations that her statements contributed to the film’s poor box office performance, pop star Lily Allen and TV presenter Miquita Oliver have come to her defense in their latest podcast episode, Miss Me?.
The film grossed just $43 million (£32m) during its opening weekend, far below expectations for a production that reportedly cost $270 million. Allen and Oliver argue that Zegler is being unfairly targeted, suggesting Disney’s creative decisions may be to blame instead.
Quick Summary
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Disney’s Snow White remake grossed $43m against a $270m budget.
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Rachel Zegler faces criticism for her feminist comments and political views.
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Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver defend Zegler, blaming Disney’s poor decisions instead.
Background
The controversy surrounding Snow White began even before its release, with Rachel Zegler’s casting sparking backlash from some right-wing voices who opposed the decision to have the character portrayed by a person of color (Zegler is of Colombian descent). Further criticism arose after Zegler described the remake as more feminist than the original 1937 animated classic, stating:
“It’s no longer 1937 – she’s not going to be saved by the prince, and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love. She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.”
Zegler also faced scrutiny for her political statements, including her reaction to Donald Trump’s re-election and a social media post advocating for Palestine. These comments led some critics to accuse her of bringing personal politics into the film’s promotional campaign.
Impact
The film’s disappointing box office performance—earning just $43 million in its opening weekend—has intensified criticism of Zegler, with Jonah Platt, son of producer Marc Platt, suggesting that her social media posts hurt the film’s prospects. In a since-deleted comment, Jonah wrote:
“Her actions clearly hurt the film’s box office… Narcissism is not something to be coddled or encouraged.”
However, Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver argue that blaming Zegler is misguided. Allen pointed out that Disney poured millions into a project that audiences were not particularly interested in:
“Millions and millions of dollars into something that no one gave a f*** about… don’t blame it on a 20-year-old girl for expressing her view that many people share.”
Miquita Oliver added that issues such as poor CGI effects may have contributed to the film’s struggles:
“It might just be a bit s*** and not Rachel Zegler’s fault.”
Expert Opinions
Allen praised Zegler for standing up for her beliefs, noting that resilience in adversity is often a central theme in Disney films:
“Isn’t it usually that the protagonist has some sort of struggle and has to stand up in adversity?”
Oliver also highlighted Disney’s trend of altering storylines in its live-action adaptations, suggesting that these changes may alienate fans of the originals.
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Lily Allen: “Her willingness to stand up for what she believes in is central to Disney stories.”
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Miquita Oliver: “It might just be a bit s*** and not Rachel Zegler’s fault.”
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Opening weekend gross: $43m (£32m).
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Production cost: $270m.
FAQs
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Why is Rachel Zegler being criticized?
She has faced backlash for her feminist comments about Snow White, political statements, and social media posts like “Free Palestine.” -
What are critics saying about the film?
Many cite poor CGI effects and lack of audience interest in remakes as reasons for its failure.
Conclusion
Rachel Zegler continues to face criticism amid ongoing discussions about Snow White’s box office performance. Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver have publicly defended her, shifting blame toward Disney’s creative decisions.
