The release of Disney’s live-action Snow White on March 21, 2025, was meant to be a triumphant reimagining of the 1937 classic, but instead, it has spiraled into a public relations nightmare for the studio. Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the $270 million film has faced relentless controversies, culminating in a reported clash between its leading ladies. According to various sources, Zegler has publicly criticized Gadot following the film’s dismal box office performance, exacerbating tensions and sending Disney into a frantic “meltdown” as it grapples with the fallout. This article delves into the events leading up to Zegler’s alleged outburst, the strained dynamics between the two actresses, and the broader implications for Disney amidst a storm of political, cultural, and financial challenges.

The Snow White Debacle: A Perfect Storm

Disney’s Snow White remake was already under scrutiny before its release, plagued by controversies that began as early as 2021 when Zegler, a Latina actress of Colombian and Polish descent, was cast in the titular role. Critics, particularly from right-wing circles, attacked the casting, arguing that Snow White, traditionally described as having “skin as white as snow,” should be played by a white actress. Zegler responded defiantly in a now-deleted tweet, stating, “Yes I am Snow White no I am not bleaching my skin for the role,” and later called out detractors as “losers obsessed with maintaining the bloodline purity of a cartoon princess.” The racist backlash persisted, with Zegler revealing that some individuals even showed up at her home to harass her, prompting heightened security measures.

The film’s reimagined plot also drew ire. Zegler, in interviews as early as 2022, described the original 1937 film as “dated” and criticized its focus on a “love story with a guy who literally stalks her,” referring to Prince Charming. She emphasized that the remake would portray Snow White as a feminist leader aiming to overthrow the Evil Queen, rather than a damsel awaiting rescue. These comments alienated traditional Disney fans, with outlets like the Daily Mail branding her statements a “woke tirade.” David Hand Jr., son of the original Snow White director, publicly criticized the remake, stating, “There’s no respect for what Disney or my father did.”

Further controversy arose over the portrayal of the seven dwarfs. Following criticism from actor Peter Dinklage, who called the inclusion of dwarfs in the story “backward,” Disney opted for CGI dwarfs instead of hiring actors with dwarfism. This decision led to accusations of ableism, with actors like Martin Klebba, who voiced Grumpy, expressing disappointment over the lack of representation for little people in the film.

Political Tensions: Zegler vs. Gadot

The most significant point of contention, however, stemmed from the clashing political views of Zegler and Gadot, set against the backdrop of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Zegler has been a vocal supporter of Palestine, notably posting “free Palestine” on social media shortly after the Snow White trailer debuted in August 2024. This post, which garnered 8.8 million views, sent Disney executives into a panic, as it was perceived as commingling the promotion of a $270 million family film with a divisive political statement. Producer Marc Platt reportedly flew to New York to urge Zegler to remove the post, but she stood her ground, and it remained online.

In contrast, Gadot, an Israeli-born former IDF instructor, has consistently expressed pro-Israel views. Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, Gadot used her platform to call for the return of hostages and later criticized pro-Palestine activists for “celebrating a massacre of Jews.” Her Instagram posts have been flooded with pro-Palestine comments, and her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on March 18, 2025, was picketed by activists holding signs that read, “Snow White supports genocide.” The political divide between the two actresses led to a spike in death threats against Gadot, forcing Disney to hire additional security for her and her family.

Sources suggest that while Zegler and Gadot got along during filming, tensions escalated during the film’s promotional phase. Disney fueled speculation of a feud by scheduling the actresses for separate press events and keeping them apart at the scaled-down Los Angeles premiere on March 15, 2025. At the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, where they presented an award together, body language experts noted a “muted, tense” interaction, with Zegler leaning away from Gadot. Zegler’s Instagram posts thanking her Snow White co-stars notably omitted Gadot, further stoking rumors of discord.

The Box Office Bomb and Zegler’s Alleged Outburst

Snow White opened to a disappointing $43 million domestically and $87 million globally, far below expectations for a film with a reported $450 million budget, including marketing costs. The film has since grossed only $200.2 million worldwide, resulting in a projected $115 million loss for Disney. Critics gave it a 40% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, with some, like The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey, calling it “lazy” and “visually repellent,” though Zegler’s performance was often praised as a highlight.

Amid the film’s failure, reports surfaced that Zegler publicly blamed Gadot for the disaster. On March 19, 2025, during a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Gadot reportedly called Zegler a “disaster” who tanked the project, citing her political outspokenness and comments about the original film as detrimental to its success. In response, posts on X indicate that Zegler broke her silence, allegedly attacking Gadot for throwing her under the bus. While Zegler’s exact words are not officially documented, the sentiment on social media suggests she accused Gadot of hypocrisy, pointing to Gadot’s own political activism as a contributing factor to the boycott campaigns that hurt the film. The BDS movement and other groups in the Middle East, including Lebanon, banned the film due to Gadot’s involvement, further impacting its global performance.

Disney’s Meltdown: A Studio in Crisis

The public spat between Zegler and Gadot has sent Disney into a tailspin, with the studio struggling to manage the fallout. Disney reportedly attempted to scapegoat Zegler for the film’s failure, leaking stories to outlets like Variety that painted her as “irresponsible” and “erratic.” Following Zegler’s post-election Instagram rant, where she wrote, “Fuck Donald Trump” and “May Trump supporters never know peace,” Disney hired a social media guru to vet her posts, fearing she was alienating a significant portion of the audience. However, this move backfired, as Zegler’s fans rallied behind her, trending on social media with messages of support for her courage in speaking out.

The studio’s decision to scale back the Snow White premiere to a low-key event with no press interviews drew criticism from cast members like Martin Klebba, who called it a “disgrace” for a film of such historical significance. Disney insiders defended the move, claiming it was standard for family films, but the contrast with the lavish premiere of Moana 2 months earlier suggested otherwise. The studio’s fear of protests and further controversy, particularly around Gadot’s involvement, likely played a role in the decision.

The financial loss has broader implications for Disney’s live-action remake strategy. The studio has paused production on a planned Tangled remake, signaling a reevaluation of its approach to reimagining animated classics. The Snow White disaster has also reignited debates about Hollywood’s handling of politically outspoken stars, with some arguing that Disney should have anticipated the risks of casting two actresses with opposing views on a contentious global issue.

Zegler and Gadot: Moving Forward

Despite the chaos, Zegler remains a polarizing yet talented figure in Hollywood. Her performance in Snow White received positive reviews, and she has several projects lined up, including a role in the West End production of Evita starting in July 2025 and the comedy-drama She Gets It From Me with Marisa Tomei. Supporters like pop singer Lily Allen and broadcaster Miquita Oliver have praised her for standing by her beliefs, arguing that her activism aligns with Disney’s themes of empowerment.

Gadot, meanwhile, has continued to focus on her career, with her recent comments to Harper’s Bazaar Spain emphasizing her anti-war stance and desire for a diplomatic resolution to the Israel-Gaza conflict. However, her role in Snow White was less favorably received, with some critics calling her performance a “dud.” The actress has faced her own share of backlash, with pro-Palestine activists targeting her public appearances, but she remains a prominent figure in Hollywood.

Conclusion

The alleged clash between Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot following Snow White’s box office failure has exposed deep fissures within Disney’s handling of the project. Zegler’s reported criticism of Gadot, coupled with the studio’s attempt to blame her for the film’s shortcomings, has triggered an unsettling meltdown at Disney, raising questions about its ability to navigate cultural and political controversies in an increasingly polarized world. While Zegler and Gadot move forward with their careers, the Snow White disaster serves as a cautionary tale for studios attempting to balance creative reimaginings with the expectations of a global audience. For now, Disney must reckon with the fallout of a fairy tale gone wrong, as the once-magical kingdom grapples with a very real crisis.