At 03:05 PM +07 on Monday, May 12, 2025, the absence of Rachel Zegler from the 2025 Met Gala has reignited debates about the young actress’s career trajectory and public image. The 24-year-old star, known for her roles in West Side Story and Disney’s live-action Snow White, opted out of fashion’s biggest night on May 5, marking her second consecutive year skipping the event. This decision comes amid a wave of harsh criticism following the underwhelming performance of Snow White and her polarizing political statements. While official sources attribute her absence to rehearsals for the West End production of Evita, the timing suggests a retreat from the public eye after enduring what many call “embarrassing hate” from critics and fans alike. This article explores the reasons behind her absence, the backlash she’s faced, and the broader implications for her career, challenging the establishment narrative of her as a rising star.

The Met Gala Snub and Official Explanation

Rachel Zegler’s absence from the 2025 Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” has drawn significant attention, especially given her previous appearances in 2021 and 2024. The event, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, is a cultural juggernaut, raising millions for the Costume Institute with tickets costing $75,000—often covered by brands inviting celebrities like Zegler. Despite securing an invitation, her representative confirmed to Page Six that she’s in London rehearsing for Evita, which opens June 14 at the London Palladium. This commitment, spanning 12 weeks through September 6, aligns with her focus on revitalizing her stage career, a passion she’s cited since childhood when singing “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” with her father.

This explanation holds water logistically—rehearsals in May preclude a transatlantic trip—but the context of her recent scrutiny casts doubt on whether this is the sole reason. Zegler attended the 2024 Met Gala in a striking Michael Kors gown, channeling a “water princess” vibe that tied into her Snow White role, suggesting she values the event’s platform. Her decision to skip this year, despite a star-studded guest list including Shakira, Lizzo, and Gal Gadot, hints at a strategic retreat, possibly to avoid the spotlight amid ongoing backlash.

The Backlash: Snow White and Beyond

Zegler’s troubles trace back to her casting as Snow White, announced in June 2021. The choice of a Latina actress sparked immediate backlash from some Disney fans who deemed her unfit for the “skin as white as snow” character, igniting racial and cultural debates. Her 2021 comments calling the original story “not feminist enough” and promising a more empowered Snow White further polarized audiences, with critics accusing her of disrespecting a classic. The film’s March 21, 2025, release—grossing $148.7 million globally against a $350 million budget—amplified the criticism, with outlets like The Observer labeling it “toe-curlingly terrible.” Disney insiders, per Variety, blamed her pro-Palestinian tweet alongside the trailer promo, suggesting it hurt box office potential, though this scapegoating lacks hard evidence.

Her political stances have deepened the divide. Post-Trump’s 2024 re-election, Zegler’s Instagram post—“Trump supporters will never know peace. This country is deeply diseased”—drew ire from figures like Megyn Kelly, who called her a “pig,” and sparked boycott calls. Her subsequent apology, admitting emotions got the better, did little to quell the hate. X posts reflect this split: some fans cheer her courage, while others demand she “face the consequences” for politicizing her image. This relentless criticism, coupled with the Snow White flop, has turned her into a lightning rod, with her Met Gala absence seen by some as embarrassment-driven avoidance.

Public Perception and Career Context

The establishment narrative often portrays Zegler as a trailblazing talent, her Golden Globe for West Side Story and Evita role underscoring her potential. Yet, this image is fraying under public scrutiny. Her 2024 Met Gala appearance was a triumph, with Vogue praising her icy-blue look, but the 2025 snub shifts the narrative to one of retreat. Fans, dubbed KatyCats, supported her with a Times Square billboard, but detractors on X mock her as out of touch, citing her $350 million net worth against global struggles—a hypocrisy charge leveled at many Met attendees amid Palestine protests.

Her career balance—seeking family and work, as told to Allure—clashes with the current chaos. Snow White’s failure, with a 40% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, contrasts with her 74% audience approval, suggesting a disconnect between industry and public views. The Evita role, a return to her theatrical roots, may be a bid to reclaim narrative control, distancing herself from Hollywood’s political fray. However, skipping the Met Gala—where peers like Gal Gadot, her Snow White co-star, attended—risks amplifying perceptions of vulnerability rather than strength.

Critical Examination: Embarrassment or Strategy?

The establishment’s framing of Zegler’s absence as rehearsal-related downplays the hate’s impact. Critics argue her Met Gala skips—2024’s speculated avoidance and 2025’s confirmed absence—reflect embarrassment after Snow White’s flop and her political missteps. ABC’s 2025 Oscars blunder, mistaking Rachel Sennott for Zegler, and online vitriol like “no one uglier” comments from Ynet News, fuel this narrative. Yet, this overlooks her agency: choosing Evita over the Met aligns with her long-term goals, not just a reaction to hate.

The backlash’s intensity suggests a cultural pushback against young stars with outspoken views, a trend seen with Zendaya’s past Met absences due to work. Zegler’s pro-Palestine stance, echoed by peers like Gal Gadot’s muted response, places her in a minefield where activism meets commercial fallout. Disney’s alleged displeasure, per Vulture sources, may pressure her to conform, but her Evita move asserts independence. The hate, while embarrassing, may also be a catalyst for reinvention, challenging the narrative of her as a scapegoat for Snow White’s woes.

Broader Implications

Zegler’s Met Gala absence reflects broader tensions in celebrity culture. The 2025 event, amid economic recession fears and Palestine protests, saw Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds also skip due to legal issues, signaling a shift from glamour to caution. The Met’s $75,000 ticket cost, often brand-funded, draws ire as a symbol of excess, with Zegler’s past defense—that proceeds aid fashion preservation—ringing hollow to critics. Her case mirrors Katy Perry’s Blue Origin controversy, where celebrity stunts backfire amid public discontent.

For Zegler, the hate risks long-term damage. Variety notes her potential for “incredible roles,” but the Snow White fallout and Met snub could stall her Hollywood ascent unless Evita succeeds. The industry’s tendency to blame young actresses—seen with Halle Bailey’s The Little Mermaid scrutiny—suggests a pattern of unfair targeting, yet Zegler’s political choices invite this heat. Her resilience, shown in her Instagram reflections on 23 as “neither good nor bad,” may guide her through, but the spotlight’s glare demands a strategic pivot.

Conclusion

Rachel Zegler’s decision to skip the 2025 Met Gala, following a year of embarrassing hate from critics over Snow White and her political views, is framed as a rehearsal necessity but likely reflects a strategic retreat. The backlash, rooted in racial casting debates, film failure, and activism, has painted her as a controversial figure, challenging her rising star status. While the establishment pushes a narrative of resilience, the reality suggests a young actress navigating intense scrutiny, using Evita to reclaim her narrative. As of May 12, 2025, her absence underscores the precarious balance of fame, politics, and public expectation—a story still unfolding.