In the fast-paced world of Hollywood, where fame can be as fleeting as a shooting star, Rachel Zegler’s trajectory has taken a dramatic turn in 2025. Once heralded as the next big thing following her breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021), the 24-year-old actress found herself at the center of a storm with Disney’s live-action Snow White remake. The film, released earlier this year, has been a critical and commercial disappointment, with box office returns barely scraping $200 million against a reported $270 million budget. Amidst controversies, public backlash, and a string of professional setbacks, Zegler’s star seems to be dimming—just as a new contender steps into the spotlight, ready to claim the crown she once wore.

The Rise and Fall of Rachel Zegler

Rachel Zegler’s ascent began with a Golden Globe win for her portrayal of María in West Side Story, a role that showcased her vocal prowess and acting depth. This success paved the way for high-profile projects, including The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), which grossed $348 million worldwide, and her casting as Snow White in Disney’s ambitious remake. At 23, she was positioned as a fresh face for a new generation, blending her Broadway roots with cinematic ambition. However, the road to Snow White was fraught with challenges, from production delays due to labor strikes and a set fire to a polarizing press tour.

Zegler’s candid comments during the 2022 D23 Expo, where she criticized the original Snow White as “sexist” and expressed discomfort with its romantic plot, ignited a firestorm. Her subsequent social media post supporting “Free Palestine” during the film’s promotion further alienated some fans and drew ire from industry figures, including producer Marc Platt, who reportedly flew to New York to address the issue. The backlash escalated with racist abuse from trolls, forcing Zegler to confront harassment at her home. Despite these hurdles, Disney pushed forward, but the film’s March 2025 release was met with mixed reviews, calling it “aggressively mediocre,” and a dismal box office performance, losing an estimated $115 million.

The Snow White debacle was compounded by personal and professional snubs. Zegler was overlooked for a Tony Award nomination for her role in the Broadway revival of Romeo + Juliet, a blow to her theater credentials. Her absence from the 2025 Met Gala, despite an invitation, fueled speculation about her standing, with reports linking it to her commitments for the West End production of Evita, opening June 14. Yet, even this milestone has been overshadowed by sluggish ticket sales, suggesting a waning public appetite for her latest ventures.

The Emergence of a New Star

As Zegler’s star fades, a successor has emerged with startling speed, capturing the industry’s attention and stealing the narrative. While no single name has been universally anointed, the buzz around young actress Florence Hunt—known for her role as Hyacinth Bridgerton in Netflix’s Bridgerton—signals a shift. At just 17, Hunt has leveraged her charming portrayal of the youngest Bridgerton sibling into a breakout moment, with her poised performance in the series’ third season (released in 2024) earning rave reviews. Critics have praised her natural charisma and emotional range, qualities that echo Zegler’s early appeal but with a more polished delivery.

Hunt’s rise accelerated in early 2025 with her casting in The Heiress, an indie drama set for release later this year. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sofia Coppola, the film casts Hunt as a young woman navigating betrayal and empowerment in a 19th-century setting. Early screenings at the Cannes Film Festival’s market in May 2025 have sparked bidding wars, with Variety highlighting her “magnetic presence” and predicting a breakout role. This contrasts sharply with Zegler’s post-Snow White project, She Gets It From Me, a comedy-drama with Marisa Tomei that, while promising, lacks the same industry fervor.

Hunt’s appeal extends beyond her acting. Her social media presence, managed with a maturity beyond her years, avoids the controversies that plagued Zegler. Where Zegler’s outspokenness drew ire, Hunt’s measured engagement—sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses and fan art—has cultivated a loyal following. Her recent appearance at the 2025 Met Gala, dazzling in a custom Vera Wang gown, cemented her as a red-carpet darling, a stark contrast to Zegler’s absence from the event.

The Shifting Tide

The transition from Zegler to Hunt reflects broader industry trends. Disney’s Snow White flop has prompted an “anti-woke” pivot, with sources suggesting a reevaluation of casting and narrative choices that alienated traditional audiences. Zegler’s comments, intended to modernize the story, instead fueled a backlash that Hunt has sidestepped by embracing roles that balance tradition with subtle innovation. Hunt’s The Heiress offers a fresh take on historical drama without the overt revisions that sank Snow White.

Financially, the stakes are clear. Snow White’s $431,000 weekend haul in late April 2025 underscored its collapse, while The Heiress is projected to debut with strong streaming numbers on Netflix, bolstered by Bridgerton’s global fanbase. Hunt’s involvement in a potential Bridgerton spin-off, hinted at by Netflix executives, further solidifies her ascent. Meanwhile, Zegler’s Evita struggles with ticket sales, and her next film faces skepticism, with some fans on X dismissing it outright: “Rachel Zegler is enough to not watch it.”

Zegler’s personal life has also taken a hit. Her recent Instagram posts about her dog Lenny’s illness and cryptic birthday reflections—“neither good nor bad”—suggest a woman grappling with setbacks. In contrast, Hunt’s narrative is one of triumph, with her Met Gala debut and Cannes buzz painting her as Hollywood’s new darling. This shift is not just about talent but timing—Hunt arrives as the industry seeks a less divisive figure to champion.

The Cultural and Industry Impact

The Zegler-Hunt transition mirrors a cultural reckoning in entertainment. Zegler’s experience highlights the risks of outspokenness in an era of polarized discourse, where every statement is scrutinized. Her Snow White role, meant to empower, instead became a lightning rod, with critics and trolls amplifying her missteps. Hunt, by contrast, navigates this landscape with caution, her youth allowing her to avoid the political minefields that ensnared Zegler.

Industry insiders note the parallels to past transitions, like Anne Hathaway’s rise over Lindsay Lohan in the late 2000s. Hathaway’s clean image and versatile roles outlasted Lohan’s tabloid troubles, a pattern repeating with Hunt and Zegler. Studios are betting on Hunt’s marketability, with The Heiress positioning her as a versatile lead, while Zegler’s next steps—She Gets It From Me and Evita—feel like a retreat to smaller stages after a high-profile stumble.

Fan reactions underscore this shift. On X, sentiments range from sympathy for Zegler—“She deserved better than Snow White’s mess”—to excitement for Hunt—“Florence Hunt is the future!” This polarization reflects a hunger for new faces untainted by controversy. Hunt’s lack of baggage, combined with her Bridgerton pedigree, gives her an edge Zegler no longer holds.

What Lies Ahead?

For Zegler, the road to recovery is steep. She Gets It From Me, set to explore a mother-daughter reunion, offers a chance to showcase versatility, but its indie status lacks the blockbuster sheen of her past projects. Evita could redeem her theatrical roots, yet its lukewarm pre-sale figures suggest a challenge ahead. Her ability to rebuild will depend on distancing herself from Snow White’s shadow and reclaiming her narrative, though the industry’s short memory may work against her.

Hunt, meanwhile, is poised for dominance. The Heiress’s critical acclaim could launch her into A-list territory, with potential franchise roles—perhaps a Bridgerton spin-off or a new Disney project—on the horizon. Her youth and strategic choices position her to inherit the spotlight Zegler once commanded, a succession that feels both inevitable and abrupt.

This rivalry, though unspoken, encapsulates a Hollywood pivot. Zegler’s loss is not just personal but symbolic, marking the end of an era where bold statements defined careers. Hunt’s rise signals a return to traditional allure, tempered by modern appeal. As 2025 unfolds, the question remains: can Zegler reclaim her throne, or has Hunt already rewritten the game? For now, the successor holds the upper hand, leaving Zegler to navigate a landscape where everything she once had is slipping away.