The Walt Disney Company’s live-action Snow White remake, starring Rachel Zegler, has become one of Hollywood’s most high-profile disasters, with a dismal box office performance and a wave of controversies that have thrust the young actress into the center of a media storm. A YouTube video titled “Rachel Zegler FIRED from HOLLYWOOD | Takes the Fall as SNOW WHITE Bombs at the BOX OFFICE!” posted by Clownfish TV on April 15, 2025, claims Zegler has been “blacklisted” from major studios following the film’s failure. While these claims remain unverified, the narrative has gained traction on platforms like X, amplifying scrutiny of Zegler, Disney CEO Bob Iger, and the studio’s remake strategy. The Snow White debacle raises critical questions about star power, corporate accountability, and the risks of reimagining beloved classics in a polarized cultural landscape.

A Box Office Catastrophe

Disney’s Snow White, released on March 21, 2025, was anticipated to be a cornerstone of the studio’s live-action remake empire, following successes like The Lion King (2019). Instead, the film, which cost an estimated $270 million to produce and market, opened to a mere $42.2 million domestically and $87 million globally, according to Vanity Fair. By its second weekend, ticket sales plummeted 66%, totaling $77 million domestically and $168.6 million worldwide, far short of the $600 million needed to break even. A Daily Mail report projects a $115 million loss for Disney, cementing Snow White’s status as a box office bomb.

The film’s critical reception has been equally harsh, with a 40% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 1.6/10 rating on IMDb, driven by an online “review-bombing” campaign. While audiences gave it a 72% verified score, the negative buzz has overshadowed positive reviews of Zegler’s performance, which critics praised for her singing and emotional depth. The Clownfish TV video attributes the failure to Zegler’s “woke” comments and Disney’s creative missteps, a sentiment echoed on X by users like @OliLondonTV, who noted Zegler attending a near-empty theater showing.

Zegler’s Controversial Journey

Rachel Zegler, a 23-year-old actress who rose to fame in West Side Story (2021), was cast as Snow White in June 2021, sparking immediate backlash from some fans who criticized her Colombian-Polish descent, arguing it deviated from the fairy tale’s traditionally fair-skinned heroine. The controversy escalated when Zegler called the 1937 animated film’s romance “weird” and promised a modernized Snow White focused on leadership, not love, in a 2023 Variety interview. Her decision to omit the iconic song “Someday My Prince Will Come” further alienated traditionalists, with X user @MmisterNobody noting the film’s $16 million opening weekend against its massive budget.

Zegler’s outspoken political views, particularly her “free Palestine” tweet after the trailer release, intensified the backlash. Variety reported that producer Marc Platt met with Zegler to address the tweet’s repercussions, which some fans blamed for alienating audiences. Jonah Platt, Marc’s son, publicly called Zegler “immature” and “narcissistic” in a deleted Instagram post, a sentiment shared by some on X, including @RandomTheGuy_, who claimed Zegler was “cancelled by Disney for being a PR nightmare.” These incidents have fueled perceptions that Zegler is solely responsible for the film’s failure, though supporters argue she’s been unfairly scapegoated.

The “Fired from Hollywood” Narrative

The Clownfish TV video asserts that Zegler has been “fired from Hollywood,” citing anonymous industry sources who claim studios are wary of her polarizing reputation. Similar YouTube videos, such as those by Nerdrotic and Benny On The Block, amplify this narrative, with titles like “Rachel Zegler OFFICIALLY FIRED By Disney” and “Hollywood Drops Rachel Zegler After SNOW WHITE Disaster.” However, no credible evidence confirms Zegler’s dismissal from Disney or other studios. A Vanity Fair article notes that Zegler is pivoting to theater, with a role in a West End production of Evita, suggesting a strategic career move rather than a blacklist.

On X, the narrative persists, with @MarineF18ret claiming Zegler “insulted over 77 million Americans” and @Dawn_Aress sharing videos of her alleged “meltdown.” Conversely, supporters like @bronzeavery defend Zegler, arguing that the industry’s treatment of her is “disturbing and disgusting” and that her performance was the film’s highlight. Journalist Mark Harris, writing on Bluesky, condemned a Variety article by Tatiana Siegel as a “hit job” designed to blame Zegler for the flop, a view backed by over 50 journalists in an open letter. These conflicting narratives highlight the polarized discourse surrounding Zegler’s role in the Snow White saga.

Disney’s Missteps and Industry Fallout

While Zegler has borne the brunt of the blame, Disney’s creative and strategic decisions have drawn significant criticism. The decision to use CGI for the seven dwarfs, rather than casting actors with dwarfism, sparked accusations of insensitivity. The film’s heavy reliance on CGI and its departure from the fairy tale’s tone, evident in the 2024 trailer, alienated fans, with X user @FilmFanatic88 calling it a “soulless cash grab.” Production challenges, including reshoots and delays from the 2023 actors’ strike, inflated the budget, making profitability nearly impossible.

Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO, faces mounting pressure as the studio’s live-action remake strategy falters. Recent disappointments, such as Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), and a 10% stock drop since January 2025, reported by Bloomberg, have intensified scrutiny of his leadership. The cancellation of a planned Tangled remake, per The Hollywood Reporter, signals caution in Disney’s remake pipeline, though Lilo & Stitch and Moana remain in development. The Snow White flop, projected to lose $115 million, has prompted analysts to question whether Disney’s reliance on nostalgia is sustainable in a market demanding fresh storytelling.

The Gal Gadot Connection

Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, has also been entangled in the controversy. Her separate lawsuit against Disney, filed in April 2025 for $50 million, alleges breach of contract, reduced screen time, and a “toxic” set environment exacerbated by Zegler’s improvisations. Some fans, as reported by the Daily Mail, blamed Zegler for death threats directed at Gadot over their differing political views, further complicating the narrative. Gadot’s legal action, covered by Deadline, underscores the production’s internal strife, though she has not publicly commented on Zegler’s alleged firing.

Cultural and Industry Implications

The Snow White debacle reflects broader tensions in Hollywood over representation, adaptation, and audience expectations. Zegler’s casting as a Latina Snow White aimed to diversify Disney’s princess lineup, but the backlash highlights the challenges of reinterpreting iconic characters. Her political activism, while resonating with some, alienated others, illustrating the risks for stars navigating social media in a polarized era. The film’s failure parallels other controversial remakes, like Amazon’s The Rings of Power, which faced similar fan pushback but lacked Snow White’s cultural weight as Disney’s foundational film.

For Zegler, the fallout threatens her rising career, though her Evita role and positive reviews suggest resilience. Supporters argue she’s been unfairly targeted, with Melissa Barrera praising her “integrity” on Instagram. The industry’s response will be telling: a successful pivot could solidify Zegler’s star power, while a prolonged backlash could limit her opportunities.

The Path Forward

Disney now faces the daunting task of damage control. Additional reshoots, rumored to address fan feedback, could push Snow White’s losses beyond $150 million, per The Wrap. Iger’s leadership will be tested as he balances investor concerns with creative risks. For Zegler, the West End offers a chance to reclaim her narrative, leveraging her musical talents to rebuild her image. Her silence on the “firing” claims, coupled with her attendance at high-profile events like George Clooney’s Broadway play, suggests a calculated effort to move forward.

The Snow White saga is a cautionary tale of ambition clashing with execution. Disney’s attempt to modernize a fairy tale faltered under the weight of creative missteps, cultural divides, and a star’s polarizing presence. As the dust settles, the question remains: can Disney and Zegler recover from this poisoned apple, or will Snow White mark a turning point in the studio’s storied legacy? For now, the fairy tale’s ending remains unwritten, but its impact on Hollywood is undeniable.