Nearly three years after Rachel Zegler sparked outrage by calling the Prince in Disney’s 1937 Snow White a “stalker,” the controversy continues to cast a long shadow over the actress and the live-action remake, which flopped spectacularly upon its release in March. Zegler’s remarks, made during a 2022 promotional interview, have become a lightning rod for criticism, fueling debates about Disney’s approach to modernizing its classics, the treatment of young actresses in Hollywood, and the power of online backlash to shape a film’s fate. As Zegler prepares for her next project, the West End production of Evita, the Snow White saga remains a cautionary tale for the entertainment industry.

The Comment That Ignited a Firestorm

The controversy began in September 2022 at Disney’s D23 Expo, where Zegler, then 21, was promoting the live-action Snow White remake alongside co-star Gal Gadot, who played the Evil Queen. In an interview with Extra TV, Zegler was asked how her version of Snow White would differ from the 1937 animated classic. Her response was blunt: “The original cartoon came out in 1937, and very evidently so. There’s a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird! Weird! So we didn’t do that this time.” She added that the remake would not center on a love story, joking that scenes with her co-star Andrew Burnap, who played a new character named Jonathan, might even be cut.

Zegler’s comments were part of a broader narrative she and the filmmakers pushed during the press tour: the new Snow White would focus on the princess’s journey to become a leader, not her pursuit of romance. In a separate interview with Variety, Zegler elaborated, saying, “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.” While the intention was to present a feminist reimagining of the character, her description of the Prince as a “stalker” struck a nerve with fans of the original film, which holds a sacred place in Disney history as the studio’s first animated feature.

The backlash was swift and fierce. Clips of the interview went viral on social media, with many accusing Zegler of disrespecting a beloved classic. “She’s a walking PR disaster for Disney,” wrote one user on X, reflecting a sentiment shared by many. Critics argued that Zegler’s comments alienated the very audience Disney needed to win over—fans who cherished the 1937 film’s romantic narrative. Others took issue with her broader critique of the original, which she called “extremely dated” in an Entertainment Weekly interview, admitting she had only watched it once as a child because it scared her.

A Polarized Response

The reaction to Zegler’s comments revealed a deep divide among audiences. On one side were those who felt her remarks were a betrayal of Disney’s legacy. “Snow White is a love story,” one TikTok user argued in a video that garnered over 9 million views. “Thinking that a woman is less valuable because she falls in love or accepts help isn’t feminist—it’s just a different kind of judgment.” Others criticized Zegler for what they saw as “pseudo-feminism,” arguing that modernizing a character didn’t mean erasing the elements that made her iconic. The Prince’s role in the original—awakening Snow White with a kiss—was seen by many as a product of its time, not a sinister act of stalking.

However, Zegler also had defenders who argued that her comments were taken out of context. Supporters pointed out that the 1937 film does reflect outdated gender norms, with Snow White often portrayed as passive and reliant on male saviors—the dwarfs and the Prince. “Rachel was highlighting how stories can evolve,” a fan wrote on X. “She wasn’t trashing the original; she was explaining why the remake needed to be different for today’s audience.” Some also noted that other Disney live-action remakes, like 2015’s Cinderella starring Lily James, had similarly emphasized female agency without facing the same level of vitriol.

The controversy was further complicated by racist undertones in some of the backlash. Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, had already faced criticism for her casting as Snow White, a character traditionally described as having “skin as white as snow.” Her comments about the Prince gave detractors another reason to target her, with some online attacks veering into bigotry. This pattern of racial bias mirrors the experiences of other actresses of color in Disney remakes, such as Halle Bailey in The Little Mermaid, highlighting a troubling trend in fan reactions to diverse casting.

The Snow White Remake’s Downfall

When Snow White finally hit theaters on March 21, 2025, the controversy surrounding Zegler’s comments had already set the stage for a troubled release. The film, directed by Marc Webb and written by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson, was plagued by additional issues: the decision to replace the seven dwarfs with CGI “magical creatures” drew criticism from actors like Peter Dinklage, and tensions between Zegler and Gadot over their opposing views on the Israel-Palestine conflict fueled negative press. Zegler’s “Free Palestine” tweet, posted just days after the film’s trailer debut in August 2024, led to boycotts in some regions and even a ban in Lebanon due to Gadot’s involvement.

The film’s box office performance was dismal, grossing only $168 million worldwide against a $240–270 million budget—a loss of over $115 million for Disney. Critics were equally harsh, with many describing the film as a “corporate” misstep that failed to capture the magic of the original. Zegler’s vocal performance was a rare highlight, but her acting was criticized as “dull,” and the film earned a 40% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Disney’s decision to distance Zegler and Gadot during the press junket, including keeping them apart at the premiere, only fueled perceptions of a troubled production.

Zegler’s “stalker” comment became a focal point for the film’s detractors, who argued that her attitude reflected a broader disdain for the source material. “If you hate the original this much, why would you want to make the remake?” one TikTok user asked in a video that amassed over 5 million views. The comment, combined with other controversies, contributed to a narrative that the film was doomed from the start, with Zegler bearing much of the blame.

Zegler Reflects and Responds

In the wake of Snow White’s failure, Zegler has remained largely silent on the controversy—until now. In a recent interview with The Guardian ahead of her West End debut in Evita, Zegler addressed the “stalker” comment for the first time since the film’s release. “It was a poor choice of words,” she admitted. “I was trying to explain how the remake would focus on Snow White’s agency, but I didn’t anticipate how it would be received. I deeply respect the original film and the history it represents. I wish I’d been more careful in how I expressed that.”

Zegler also pushed back against the narrative that she alone was responsible for the film’s failure. “I was 21 when I made those comments, and I was carrying a $270 million project on my shoulders,” she said. “The backlash was overwhelming, and a lot of it was rooted in racism and misogyny. But the truth is, I didn’t write the script or make the creative decisions. I did my best with the role I was given.” Her comments echo a broader sentiment among her supporters, who argue that Disney’s mismanagement of the project—from the dwarfs controversy to the lackluster marketing—played a larger role in its downfall than Zegler’s remarks.

The actress also highlighted the toll the controversy took on her mental health. “I’ve had to grow up very publicly, and it hasn’t been easy,” she said. “The hate I received after Snow White was unlike anything I’d experienced. It made me question whether I belonged in this industry.” Despite the challenges, Zegler remains committed to her career, with Evita offering a chance to return to her theatrical roots and prove her detractors wrong.

A Cautionary Tale for Disney

The Snow White debacle has had far-reaching implications for Disney, which has reportedly shelved plans for a live-action Tangled remake in the wake of the film’s failure. The controversy over Zegler’s comments underscores the delicate balance Disney must strike when modernizing its classics—updating stories for contemporary audiences while respecting the nostalgia that defines its brand. “Disney keeps trying to thread the needle between pleasing purists and appealing to new audiences,” said film analyst Maria Torres. “Snow White tried to do both and ended up satisfying neither.”

The incident also highlights the disproportionate scrutiny faced by young actresses in Hollywood. Zegler, like Halle Bailey and other women of color in Disney remakes, has been held to an impossible standard, expected to navigate complex cultural debates while carrying the weight of a massive franchise. “The industry loves to build up young women and then tear them down,” said Torres. “Rachel’s comments were clumsy, but the level of vitriol she faced was disproportionate. It’s a pattern we’ve seen time and again.”

Moving Forward

As Zegler prepares to take the stage in Evita at the London Palladium next month, she’s focused on the future rather than the past. “I’ve learned so much from this experience,” she told The Guardian. “I’m stronger now, and I’m ready to tell new stories—on my terms.” Her vocal talents, which were a highlight of Snow White despite the film’s flaws, will likely shine in the demanding role of Eva Perón, offering a chance to reclaim her narrative.

For Disney, the Snow White fiasco serves as a wake-up call. The studio must rethink its approach to live-action remakes, ensuring that creative decisions align with audience expectations and that young stars are better supported amidst inevitable backlash. As for Zegler, her “stalker” comment may continue to haunt her, but it also underscores her willingness to speak her mind—a trait that, for better or worse, has defined her journey in Hollywood.

The Snow White controversy is a reminder that fairy tales, even in 2025, are far from simple. They carry the weight of history, nostalgia, and cultural expectations—elements that can’t be easily rewritten, no matter how “weird” they may seem.