Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, co-stars of Disney’s 2025 live-action Snow White remake, have long been subjects of public fascination—not just for their onscreen roles as Snow White and the Evil Queen, but for the rumored tensions behind the scenes. In early May 2025, fans noticed that the two actresses had unfollowed each other on social media, confirming suspicions that their relationship was far less amicable than previously assumed. This development, set against the backdrop of Snow White’s catastrophic $115 million loss and a storm of controversies, has sparked widespread speculation about the nature of their rift. From political differences to professional clashes, this article explores the unraveling of Zegler and Gadot’s relationship, the context of their fallout, and the broader implications for Hollywood dynamics, drawing on recent web discussions and social media sentiment.

The Unfollow: A Public Signal of Discord

The unfollowing incident came to light on May 3, 2025, when eagle-eyed fans noticed that Zegler and Gadot were no longer following each other on Instagram, a platform both actresses use actively. This subtle but significant act was first highlighted on X, where users like @HollywoodGossipX posted, “Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot unfollowed each other on IG—proof the Snow White feud is real!” The post quickly gained traction, amassing over 500,000 views and reigniting debates about their relationship. Earlier signs of strain were evident when Zegler shared a series of behind-the-scenes photos from the Snow White set on Instagram in late March 2025, thanking her co-stars but notably excluding Gadot from the 19 images, as reported by E! Online (April 3, 2025).

The unfollowing wasn’t entirely unexpected. Since Snow White’s release on March 21, 2025, rumors of a feud had been swirling, fueled by their limited joint press appearances and contrasting public personas. While the two presented together at the Oscars on March 2, 2025, their interactions were described as “frosty” by outlets like Vanity Fair (March 29, 2025). A New York Post report (March 26, 2025) claimed Zegler made a dismissive comment about Gadot post-Oscars, calling her a “professional pageant queen,” which allegedly deepened their rift. The unfollowing, though a small gesture, served as a public confirmation of the tensions that had been simmering for months.

The Context: A Perfect Storm of Controversy

The Snow White remake was marred by controversies from its inception, creating a volatile environment for Zegler and Gadot’s relationship. The film, which grossed only $142.7 million against a $270 million budget, faced backlash over its “woke” reimagining, including the replacement of the dwarfs with CGI “magical creatures” and a narrative shift away from romance, as noted by ScreenRant (April 4, 2025). Zegler, a 23-year-old Latina actress of Colombian and Polish descent, drew ire for her casting as Snow White, a character traditionally depicted as pale-skinned, with critics on X accusing Disney of “race-swapping.” Gadot, an Israeli actress and former IDF soldier, faced her own backlash due to her pro-Israel stance, culminating in a boycott by Lebanon and threats from pro-Palestinian groups, per CBR (April 16, 2025).

The most significant point of contention, however, was the actresses’ opposing political views on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Zegler has been vocal about her support for Palestine since 2021, notably posting “free Palestine” on X in August 2024, just 24 hours after the Snow White trailer debuted, according to Indy100 (April 1, 2025). This post, which garnered 8.8 million views, reportedly led to death threats against Gadot, prompting Disney to provide her with additional security, as reported by Variety (April 3, 2025). Gadot, who has consistently supported Israel, organized screenings of Bearing Witness (2023), a documentary about the October 7 attacks, and faced boycott calls from groups like BDS, per The Nation (April 8, 2025). A Times of Israel journalist shared a screenshot of Gadot’s account briefly retweeting a post accusing Zegler of “campaigning on the head of your co-star,” though the retweet was undone, per Teen Vogue (April 3, 2025).

These political differences were compounded by professional tensions. Zegler’s comments about the original 1937 Snow White—calling the prince a “stalker” and the story “dated”—alienated Disney traditionalists, as noted by BBC (March 30, 2025). Her post-election remarks, including “Fuck Donald Trump” and wishing Trump supporters “never know peace,” led Disney to hire a social media guru to vet her posts, per Daily Mail (April 9, 2025). Meanwhile, Gadot’s performance as the Evil Queen was panned, with social media users comparing her acting to a “Scooby-Doo villain,” per Hindustan Times (March 29, 2025). A ScreenRant review (April 6, 2025) noted Gadot’s character felt like the true villain for only a minute, disappointing fans expecting a campy, glamorous antagonist.

Behind the Scenes: A Fractured Dynamic

The unfollowing is the culmination of a relationship strained by both personal and professional clashes. Sources close to the Snow White production, cited by Variety (April 3, 2025), claimed Zegler “didn’t grasp the consequences” of her political posts, particularly how they endangered Gadot and hurt the film’s prospects. Disney minimized their interactions, limiting joint appearances to the Oscars and the premiere, per Israel Hayom (March 30, 2025). A Daily Mail report (March 28, 2025) suggested Zegler was partly blamed for the wave of death threats against Gadot, further souring their dynamic.

Posts on X have long pointed to a lack of camaraderie. In August 2024, after the trailer release, Zegler’s omission of Gadot in her gratitude posts was interpreted as a snub, with Spanish-speaking users on X noting the absence of any mention of her co-star, per E! Online (April 3, 2025). Gadot’s own social media activity, including the brief retweet of a critical post about Zegler, hinted at her frustration. A BuzzFeed article (April 3, 2025) referenced speculation that Disney struggled to “debunk the feud,” as the actresses’ public interactions lacked warmth. Jonah Platt, son of producer Marc Platt, publicly called Zegler “narcissistic” for her social media activity, a sentiment that reportedly reflected broader frustrations within the production team, per Forbes (March 29, 2025).

Public Reaction: A Divided Fandom

The unfollowing has divided fans and observers. On X, Zegler’s supporters rallied under hashtags like #StandWithRachel, arguing she’s been unfairly scapegoated for Snow White’s failure. A user posted, “Rachel doesn’t owe Gadot anything—her ‘free Palestine’ post was her truth, and Gadot’s team spun it to vilify her.” Others criticized Gadot, with @SnowWhiteTruth writing, “Gal’s acting was the real flop, not Rachel’s posts. She’s just mad Rachel outshone her.” These sentiments echo a Yahoo opinion piece (March 29, 2025) defending Zegler’s right to speak out, noting that Gadot was equally vocal about Israel but faced less scrutiny.

Conversely, Gadot’s supporters accused Zegler of unprofessionalism. Israeli consul Ofir Akunis slammed Zegler’s activism as “disconnected from reality,” urging Americans to support Gadot’s film, per YNet News (April 6, 2025). A Hindustan Times report (March 29, 2025) highlighted posts boycotting the film over Gadot’s involvement, with one user calling her a “genocidal terrorist.” The polarized reactions reflect broader cultural tensions, with The Nation (April 8, 2025) noting that Snow White became a battleground for “racial politics, international conflict, and America’s ideological divide.”

The Broader Implications: Hollywood’s Culture Wars

The Zegler-Gadot fallout underscores deeper issues in Hollywood, particularly around diversity, politics, and the treatment of young actresses. Zegler’s casting as a Latina Snow White sparked racist backlash, mirroring the hate faced by Halle Bailey for The Little Mermaid (2023), as noted by BBC (March 30, 2025). Her political outspokenness, while divisive, aligns with a growing trend of Gen Z stars advocating for social justice, yet she’s been disproportionately targeted, per Vanity Fair (March 29, 2025). A New Yorker piece (April 2, 2025) argued that blaming Zegler for the film’s failure was “perversely flattering,” ignoring systemic issues like Disney’s creative missteps and Gadot’s lackluster performance.

Gadot’s experience highlights the challenges faced by Israeli actors in Hollywood amid the Israel-Palestine conflict. Her pro-Israel stance, while authentic, has made her a target for boycotts, as seen with Lebanon banning the film, per CBR (April 16, 2025). The feud also reveals Hollywood’s struggle to navigate stars’ political expressions, with Disney’s damage control—separating the actresses and vetting Zegler’s posts—illustrating the industry’s fear of alienating audiences, per The Independent (March 29, 2025).

Moving Forward: Separate Paths

Both actresses are moving on from the Snow White debacle. Zegler is set to star in She Gets It From Me, a comedy-drama with Marisa Tomei, signaling a pivot to smaller, less controversial projects, per Daily Mail (May 1, 2025). Her Broadway run in Romeo + Juliet (2024-2025) and upcoming roles in Spellbound and Y2K suggest her career remains on track, despite the hate. Gadot, meanwhile, is filming The Runner, an Amazon thriller with Damien Lewis, focusing on her action-star roots, per Daily Mail (April 22, 2025). However, her reputation has taken a hit, with fans and critics questioning her acting chops post-Snow White.

The unfollowing likely marks the end of any pretense of friendship. While neither has publicly addressed the other since the Oscars, their social media actions speak volumes. Zegler’s focus on gratitude and growth, sans Gadot, and Gadot’s silence on Zegler suggest a mutual desire to distance themselves from the drama.

Conclusion

Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot’s decision to unfollow each other on social media in May 2025 has laid bare a rift that fans long suspected. Their fallout, rooted in political differences, professional tensions, and the toxic backdrop of Snow White’s failure, reveals the challenges of navigating personal beliefs in Hollywood’s high-stakes environment. Zegler, a young star targeted for her ethnicity and activism, and Gadot, an Israeli actress caught in geopolitical crossfires, embody the industry’s broader culture wars. While both are forging ahead with new projects, their fractured relationship serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of fame, politics, and public perception. As Zegler told Allure (March 18, 2025), her casting was about her voice, not her appearance—perhaps a metaphor for her resolve to rise above the noise, with or without Gadot by her side.