Disney’s Snow White actress Rachel Zegler breaks down mid-speech as ‘debated’ Hollywood movie heads for release

Rachel Zegler, starring in Disney’s live-action Snow White, choked back tears during a recent fan screening ahead of the film’s March 21 release. The 23-year-old actress, who began filming at age 19, called the role “a really big chunk of my life.” I love her, and I’m glad you love her too, she told the audience, her voice trembling.

Zegler highlighted Snow White’s “heart” as her superpower, emphasizing the character’s belief in humanity’s kindness. Her strength isn’t supernatural—it’s something we all have, she added.

 

 

 

 

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Backlash and Casting Controversies

Zegler, of Colombian and Polish descent, faced racist backlash after her 2021 casting as the Latina-led Snow White.

Critics targeted her ethnicity, though early reviews now praise her performance. She also drew scrutiny for calling the 1937 animated original “dated” and confirming the remake modernizes the story. Snow White isn’t saved by a prince or dreaming of true love, she told Variety in 2022.

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Premiere Highlights and Fan Moments

At the March 15 premiere, Zegler stunned in a pink Christian Dior gown and bonded with young fans dressed as Snow White. She hugged them, admired their costumes, and posed for photos—a stark contrast to earlier online vitriol.

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Balancing Legacy and Modernity

The film, delayed by debates over its creative choices, retains the core tale of a heroine whose compassion battles darkness. Zegler told Vogue Mexico the backlash was challenging but affirmed her pride in reshaping the character. This story’s true meaning is fairness—for the world and ourselves, she said at the screening.