Rachel Zegler Responds to Criticism Over 'Snow White' Casting: Embracing Positivity as the Latina Princess

Rachel Zegler, the lead actress in Disney's upcoming live-action film "Snow White," has responded to recent criticism regarding the cast selection. Amidst the release of photos from the movie set featuring a diverse cast portraying the seven dwarfs, controversy arose. Although a Disney spokesperson initially claimed the photos were fake, it was later confirmed by a representative from Disney's public relations team that the images were genuine but not official.

While the casting choices for the seven dwarfs faced backlash on social media, racist comments targeting Zegler, who is of Latina heritage, resurfaced, questioning her suitability for the role of the beloved Disney princess. Nevertheless, numerous fans came to Zegler's defense, lauding her as the perfect embodiment of Snow White.

In response to the ongoing negative discourse, Zegler expressed gratitude for her supportive fans while stating her desire to disengage from the nonsensical arguments surrounding her casting. She tweeted on July 15, expressing appreciation for the love she received but requested not to be tagged in further discussions related to her casting. Zegler aimed to promote positivity and an inclusive message, sharing childhood photos of herself dressed as various Disney princesses, including Snow White, with the hope of inspiring children to embrace their own princess potential.

TODAY.com reached out to Disney for comment on Zegler's tweet but received no response at the time of publication. Halle Bailey, who faced similar racist backlash for her role as Ariel in "The Little Mermaid," voiced her support for Zegler by sharing the tweet and expressing love and admiration.

Since the announcement in June 2021 that Zegler would portray Snow White, the Golden Globe winner has had to address hateful comments concerning her portrayal of the fictional character. During a "Actors on Actors" interview with Andrew Garfield for Variety in January 2022, Zegler revealed her disbelief at the opportunity to play a Disney princess as someone of Latin descent. She emphasized that Snow White, or Blanca Nieves, is cherished in Spanish-speaking countries, yet individuals who resemble her or share her heritage rarely secure such roles. Zegler acknowledged the need for education and love to redirect those who express anger, emphasizing her excitement at being able to represent a Latina princess.