Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old actress who rose to fame with her breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 West Side Story, has found herself at the center of a firestorm of controversy in recent weeks. As of May 9, 2025, Zegler is facing intense backlash from some of her co-stars and industry peers, with accusations of unprofessional behavior and what many are calling “shocking misdemeanors” on the set of Disney’s live-action Snow White remake, which premiered earlier this year. The film, already marred by poor box office performance and public criticism, has now become a lightning rod for debates about professionalism, privilege, and the impact of personal politics on a Hollywood career. Zegler’s actions, both on and off set, have sparked a heated reaction, leaving her career in jeopardy and raising questions about accountability in the entertainment industry.

The Snow White remake, which stars Zegler as the titular princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, was released on March 15, 2025, but failed to resonate with audiences, grossing just $143.1 million globally against a reported $350 million production and marketing budget. The film faced criticism from the start, with controversies ranging from Zegler’s casting as a Latina actress in a role traditionally depicted as Caucasian, to her outspoken political views, including her pro-Palestine stance, which clashed with Gadot’s vocal support for Israel. However, the latest wave of backlash centers on Zegler’s alleged behavior during the production and promotional tour of the film, which some co-stars and crew members have described as unprofessional, entitled, and divisive.

One of the most vocal critics of Zegler has been Jonah Platt, the son of Snow White producer Marc Platt. In a now-deleted Instagram post from early April 2025, Jonah labeled Zegler a “narcissist,” accusing her of injecting her personal politics into the film’s promotion in ways that damaged its box office performance. He claimed her actions reflected “immature desires” and suggested that her behavior on set had alienated many involved in the project. While Jonah later removed the post, the sentiment was echoed by others, including Ariana DeBose, Zegler’s co-star from West Side Story. On April 1, 2025, DeBose shared a graphic on her Instagram Stories quoting Jonah’s “narcissism is not something to be coddled or encouraged” comment, prompting immediate backlash from fans who interpreted it as a direct attack on Zegler. DeBose quickly deleted the post and issued a clarification, stating she was unaware of the quote’s context and had not intended to target Zegler. However, the incident fueled speculation of a rift between the two actresses, especially since Zegler had previously failed to publicly congratulate DeBose on her historic Best Supporting Actress Oscar win in 2022, despite their shared history in West Side Story.

Sources close to the Snow White production have also pointed to specific incidents that contributed to the tension. Reports suggest that Zegler’s behavior on set was at times disruptive, with one insider claiming she frequently arrived late to shoots, often citing personal commitments related to her activism. Her outspokenness, while admired by some, reportedly created friction with Gadot, whose pro-Israel stance led to a polarized atmosphere on set, especially amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The timing of the film’s release, coinciding with heightened global tensions, exacerbated these issues, with pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli activists clashing at Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony just days before the premiere. Zegler’s refusal to delete a pro-Palestine post from August 2024—despite producer Marc Platt flying to New York to personally request its removal—further strained relationships, with some crew members feeling her actions dragged a family-friendly film into a divisive political debate.

Zegler’s comments about the original 1937 Snow White film also stirred controversy among her peers. At the 2022 D23 Expo, she described the classic as “weird” and criticized its prince as a “stalker,” comments that were later perceived by some as dismissive of Disney’s legacy. A source close to the production told a major outlet that Zegler’s attitude toward the original material was seen as disrespectful by veteran crew members who had dedicated their careers to the studio. Additionally, rumors surfaced that Zegler failed to acknowledge the contributions of cultural icons who had paved the way for her, such as Madonna, whose role in Evita earned her a Best Actress Golden Globe in 1997. While Zegler attended an event where Madonna was present, sources claimed the singer was unimpressed by Zegler’s lack of recognition for her groundbreaking work, further fueling perceptions of Zegler as ungrateful and entitled.

The backlash hasn’t been limited to her Snow White co-stars. Sean Ono Lennon, the son of John Lennon, publicly criticized Zegler in a now-deleted tweet on March 31, 2025, calling her a “spoiled, ungrateful, and disconnected brat” and attributing the film’s failure to her attitude. This sentiment was echoed by some fans and industry figures, with podcast host Zack Peter of No Filter stating that Zegler’s outspoken politics and lack of media training likely contributed to the film’s poor reception. Peter suggested that Disney failed to prepare Zegler adequately for the press tour, allowing her to make comments that alienated audiences who might have otherwise embraced the remake. The film’s dismal performance—grossing just $69 million domestically—has led to a reported $115 million loss for Disney, a financial blow that has intensified scrutiny on Zegler, with many in Hollywood quick to place the blame at her feet.

Despite the criticism, Zegler has received support from several high-profile figures. Actors like Melissa Barrera, Pedro Pascal, and Ariana Grande have publicly backed her, with Pascal sharing a photo of Zegler on his Instagram Stories on March 31, 2025, with the caption “#icon,” though this gesture drew its own backlash from those who felt it was tone-deaf given the film’s failure. Barrera, who is also pro-Palestine, reshared a supportive post about Zegler, while Jameela Jamil, Helen Mirren, and Lucy Liu—Zegler’s co-stars from Shazam! Fury of the Gods—offered private encouragement amid the public outcry. Film critic Kelechi Ehenulo has argued that Zegler is a victim of “culture wars,” noting that actors from underrepresented backgrounds, like Zegler, who is Latina, often become targets for disproportionate backlash.

Zegler herself has attempted to address the controversy, issuing an apology for an earlier election-related post that had drawn ire, stating on April 1, 2025, “I let my emotions get the best of me.” However, her apology did little to quell the criticism, with some arguing that her actions on set and her refusal to moderate her political statements demonstrated a lack of professionalism. Others, however, see the backlash as unfairly harsh, pointing to a double standard in how young actresses, particularly those from marginalized communities, are treated in Hollywood. A group of journalists even signed an open letter to Variety in late March 2025, condemning the outlet for what they called a “smear campaign” against Zegler, particularly regarding its coverage of her pro-Palestine stance.

The fallout from Snow White has undeniably impacted Zegler’s career trajectory. Despite her earlier successes, including roles in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023) and the A24 comedy Y2K (2024), the film’s failure has cast a shadow over her future prospects. She was notably absent from the 2025 Tony Awards nominations, despite her Broadway debut, and reports suggest she declined an invitation to the 2025 Met Gala due to rehearsal commitments. However, there is a glimmer of hope—on April 30, 2025, it was announced that Zegler had landed a new role in the comedy-drama She Gets It from Me, co-starring Marisa Tomei as her onscreen mother. Directed by Julia von Heinz, the film follows a mother-daughter duo navigating the messy aftermath of a family reunion, a premise that could offer Zegler a chance to showcase her talent in a less controversial setting.

The intense backlash against Rachel Zegler raises broader questions about the expectations placed on young actors in Hollywood, particularly those who challenge traditional norms or speak out on political issues. While her alleged misdemeanors—lateness, perceived disrespect, and divisive political statements—have drawn ire from co-stars and industry figures, the disproportionate blame she has received for Snow White’s failure suggests a deeper bias at play. As Zegler navigates this turbulent chapter, her ability to rebound with projects like She Gets It from Me will be crucial in determining whether she can overcome the controversy and reclaim her place as one of Hollywood’s brightest young stars. For now, her story serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of fame, politics, and professionalism in an industry that often demands perfection from its rising talents.