Rachel Zegler is tackling the multifaceted uproar she encountered in relation to Disney's live-action reinterpretation of Snow White, slated for cinematic release on March 21st. In an exclusive cover feature with Vogue Mexico, the rising star of West Side Story reflects on her earlier remarks about the film adaptation, perceiving audiences' negative sentiments towards it as a mirror of their "ardent affection" for the character and the seminal 1937 animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, which itself drew inspiration from the darker Brothers Grimm German fairy tale.
"I construe people's emotions regarding this film as a testament to their fervent love for her," she told the magazine in Spanish, "and what an immense honor it is to be a part of something that evokes such profound passion. Our sentiments do not always align with those around us, and all we can strive for is to offer our very best."
While Zegler does not delve into the initial wave of controversy in 2021 that erupted after her casting announcement as the titular princess—sparked by right-wing-fuelled hatred towards her Latinx heritage (Zegler is of Colombian and Polish descent)—she alludes to it by drawing parallels with Halle Bailey's portrayal of Ariel in The Little Mermaid.
"Now, I comprehend the magnificent experience it must have been for young Black girls worldwide to witness Halle embody Ariel in The Little Mermaid," she shared. (Bailey herself faced relentless racism upon her announcement as the lead in another highly anticipated Disney live-action adaptation of a beloved princess. "As a Black person, you anticipate such reactions, and they no longer come as a shock," she remarked during the initial #NotMyAriel uproar, which was eventually overshadowed by the excitement of young Black girls for the film and its representation.)
The second surge of intense scrutiny arose during the 2022 D23 Expo, prior to filming, when Zegler deemed the 1937 original as "outdated," in which Prince Charming "literally stalks" the heroine. Since then, she has refined her perspective, informing Vogue Mexico: "It is crucial for the audience to understand that Disney has struck a beautiful and delicate balance between the beloved 1937 animated classic that resonates with generations and, simultaneously, presents it to a new audience in a fresh light."
