Introduction
Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White, released on March 21, 2025, has been a lightning rod for controversy since its announcement in 2021. Starring Rachel Zegler as the titular princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the $270 million project was envisioned as a modern reimagining of the 1937 animated classic. However, the film’s journey to the big screen has been fraught with challenges, from casting backlash to political debates and a disappointing box office performance. The latest chapter in this saga unfolded when the irreverent animated series Family Guy took aim at the film and its lead actress in a recent episode, prompting a fiery response from Zegler. This article explores the Family Guy controversy, Zegler’s reaction, and the broader cultural and political dynamics that have made Snow White one of the most polarizing films of 2025.
The Family Guy Roast: What Happened?
Family Guy, known for its biting satire and willingness to skewer pop culture, aired an episode in April 2025 that targeted Disney’s Snow White remake. The skit mocked the film’s progressive reimagining of the classic fairy tale, poking fun at its feminist reinterpretation of Snow White as a leader rather than a damsel in distress. The episode also took direct jabs at Zegler, referencing her outspoken political views and the backlash she has faced since the film’s announcement. According to a YouTube video titled “Rachel Zegler GOES OFF After The Family Guy ROASTS Disney Snow WHITE?!” posted on April 20, 2025, the skit portrayed Zegler as a polarizing figure whose comments alienated fans of the original film.
The Family Guy writers later defended their approach, with one writer stating on X, “We’re just telling jokes,” dismissing criticism that the skit was a personal attack. However, the humor struck a nerve with Zegler, who has been under intense scrutiny for years. On April 19, 2025, she took to X to express her frustration, writing, “I’m so tired of being the punchline for doing my job and speaking my truth. This film was made with love, and I’m proud of it, even if some cartoon thinks it’s funny to mock me for it.” She also defended her progressive stance, adding, “I won’t apologize for standing up for what I believe in, whether it’s Palestine or reimagining a story for 2025.”
The Roots of the Snow White Controversy
To understand why the Family Guy roast hit so hard, we must rewind to the origins of the Snow White controversy. When Zegler, a Latina actress of Colombian and Polish descent, was cast as Snow White in June 2021, she faced immediate racist backlash from conservative-leaning Disney fans. Critics argued that a non-white actress should not play a character described as having “skin as white as snow.” Zegler addressed this in a 2022 Variety interview, noting that the casting announcement trended on Twitter for days due to the outrage.
The backlash intensified in 2022 when Zegler made comments about the original 1937 film during interviews at Disney’s D23 Expo. She described the classic as “dated” and criticized its focus on a love story with a prince who “literally stalks” Snow White, calling the dynamic “weird.” She also emphasized that the remake would focus on Snow White’s leadership and self-discovery rather than romance. These remarks, while intended to highlight the film’s modern approach, were perceived by some as disrespectful to Disney’s legacy. Clips of her interviews went viral on TikTok, fueling accusations that Zegler was “ungrateful” or dismissive of the original film’s cultural significance.
Zegler’s political activism added another layer of controversy. In August 2024, she posted on X, “I love you all so much! thank you for the love and for 120m views on our trailer in just 24 hours!” followed by, “and always remember, free Palestine.” The latter post, which garnered 8.8 million views, sparked outrage among some fans and Disney executives. According to Variety, producer Marc Platt flew to New York to discuss the post with Zegler, who refused to delete it. The post reportedly led to death threats against Gadot, an Israeli actress and vocal supporter of Israel, prompting Disney to increase her security.
The Film’s Reception and Box Office Struggles
When Snow White finally hit theaters, it faced a barrage of negative reviews and a lackluster box office performance. The film earned just $43 million domestically and $87 million globally during its opening weekend, far below expectations for a $270 million production. Critics like The Observer’s Wendy Ide called it “toe-curlingly terrible,” and the film was review-bombed on IMDb, with over 91% of users giving it a one-star rating. Disney insiders and analysts pointed to the years of negative publicity, exacerbated by Zegler’s comments and political posts, as a key factor in the film’s failure.
The remake’s creative choices also drew criticism. The decision to replace the seven dwarfs with CGI “magical creatures” of diverse genders, heights, and ethnicities was a response to concerns about perpetuating dwarfism stereotypes, raised notably by actor Peter Dinklage. However, this change alienated traditionalists who felt it strayed too far from the original. Additionally, the film altered Snow White’s origin story, tying her name to surviving a blizzard rather than her pale complexion, which some saw as an unnecessary deviation.
Zegler’s Response and Support from Allies
Zegler’s reaction to the Family Guy skit was not just about the roast itself but the culmination of years of harassment and scapegoating. In her X posts, she expressed pride in the film and frustration at being targeted for her beliefs. Her supporters, including fans and celebrities, rallied behind her. Actress Melissa Barrera, who was fired from Scream 7 for her own pro-Palestine posts, praised Zegler’s integrity on Instagram, calling her “cool as hell.” Journalist Mark Harris labeled Disney’s alleged blame-shifting a “hit job,” and over 50 journalists signed an open letter condemning Variety’s coverage of Zegler as biased. On X, fans posted messages like, “Rachel Zegler RULES,” highlighting her courage in the face of adversity.
Zegler also faced personal attacks, including harassment at her apartment in 2023, which she revealed in a Cosmopolitan interview. She described strangers yelling profanities at her, underscoring the intensity of the backlash. Despite this, Zegler has remained defiant, refusing to back down from her political views or her pride in the film. In a March 2025 Good Morning America interview, she called playing Snow White “the honour of a lifetime” and emphasized its significance as a Disney fan.
Disney’s Response and Industry Implications
Disney’s handling of the Snow White controversy has raised questions about its remake strategy and its ability to navigate stars’ social media presence. The studio scaled back the film’s premiere to a press-free event in Segovia, Spain, and limited media access at the Los Angeles premiere, likely to avoid further controversy. Reports suggest Disney was frustrated with Zegler’s outspokenness, with one source telling Page Six that the company “doesn’t know what to do” with her. However, Disney’s reluctance to publicly support Zegler has drawn criticism, with some arguing it failed to protect its star from racist and political attacks.
The Snow White debacle reflects broader challenges in Hollywood, where studios must balance artistic innovation, commercial success, and cultural sensitivity in a hyper-connected world. As film critic Conor Riley told the BBC, the film’s timing—landing “at the intersection of Hollywood’s creative stagnation, racial politics, and America’s ideological divide”—made controversy inevitable. The Family Guy roast, while satirical, underscores how Snow White has become a cultural flashpoint, with Zegler as its reluctant lightning rod.
Conclusion
Rachel Zegler’s furious response to Family Guy’s mockery of Snow White is more than a celebrity spat; it’s a microcosm of the cultural and political battles surrounding Disney’s troubled remake. From racist backlash to political controversies and creative disputes, the film has faced relentless scrutiny, much of it directed at Zegler. Despite the harassment and blame, Zegler has stood her ground, supported by fans and allies who admire her courage. The Snow White saga raises critical questions about Hollywood’s remake culture, the treatment of young actresses of color, and the challenges of navigating fame in the social media age. Whether Zegler emerges from this ordeal as a pariah or a pioneer remains to be seen, but her resilience in the face of adversity ensures that her story is far from its happily ever after.
