Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old actress who has been at the center of numerous controversies since her breakout role in West Side Story (2021), is facing yet another career setback. Her latest project, the indie comedy-drama She Gets It From Me, has reportedly been shut down mid-shoot due to explosive on-set conflicts and allegations of unprofessional behavior. As of May 10, 2025, the abrupt halt in production has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, raising questions about Zegler’s future in the industry and adding fuel to the ongoing debate about her polarizing public persona.
A Promising Project Derailed
She Gets It From Me, directed by Julia von Heinz and co-starring Marisa Tomei, was announced in April 2025 as Zegler’s first major film role following the disappointing performance of Disney’s live-action Snow White remake. The film, written by Jay Reiss, follows Nicky (Zegler), a young woman whose engagement sparks a chaotic search for her birth mother, Charlotte (Tomei), a former punk-rocker with a penchant for pills and chaos. The logline promised a raw and humorous exploration of family dynamics, with Embankment Films launching global pre-sales at Cannes earlier this year. Producer Jen Dana praised Zegler’s “brilliant depth and humanity,” hinting at a potential comeback for the young star after the Snow White debacle.
However, production, which began in late April 2025, came to a screeching halt this week. Multiple sources, including YouTube channels like @Draculordx and @MARKHAL24182367, reported on May 6 and May 8, 2025, that the set of She Gets It From Me descended into chaos, leading to an indefinite suspension of filming. While these reports remain unverified by official studio statements, crew members have allegedly broken their silence, painting a picture of a toxic work environment driven by Zegler’s behavior.
Allegations of Diva Behavior Surface
According to a YouTube video titled “Rachel Zegler’s New Movie EXPLODES Into CHAOS | Diva Behavior EXPOSED!” posted on May 6, 2025, crew members accused Zegler of displaying “diva-like” tendencies that disrupted the production. Sources claimed that Zegler frequently arrived late to set, demanded last-minute script changes, and clashed with director Julia von Heinz over creative decisions. One anonymous crew member reportedly stated, “It was impossible to get anything done. Rachel’s attitude created a ripple effect—everyone was on edge, and it felt like the whole project was unraveling.”
Another video, “Crew Members BREAK SILENCE After Rachel Zegler Causes CHAOS on New Film Set,” also posted on May 6, alleged that Zegler’s behavior led to heated arguments with co-star Marisa Tomei, who plays her mother. While Tomei, a seasoned actress known for her professionalism, has not commented publicly, the rumored tension between the two stars reportedly contributed to the decision to halt production. A third video, “Unbelievable CHAOS Forces Rachel Zegler’s DRAMATIC New Movie Production To STOP!” posted on May 8, claimed that the studio, 3311 Productions, pulled the plug after determining that the conflicts were too severe to continue.
A Pattern of Controversy
This isn’t the first time Zegler has been at the center of on-set drama. Her role in Disney’s Snow White, released on March 21, 2025, was marred by controversy from the start. Zegler’s comments at the 2022 D23 Expo, where she called the original 1937 film “extremely dated” and criticized its romantic plot as “weird,” drew backlash from fans and conservative circles. Her political activism, including a pro-Palestine post on X in August 2024 and subsequent anti-Trump statements after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, further fueled the fire. Variety reported that the Snow White producer, Marc Platt, flew to New York to address Zegler’s social media activity, which was blamed for death threats against co-star Gal Gadot and a spike in boycott campaigns. The film ultimately grossed just $184.9 million against a $270 million budget, marking a $115 million loss for Disney, as reported by the Daily Mail on April 10, 2025.
Zegler’s sonorous voice and acting talent have been praised—her performance in Snow White earned positive reviews despite the film’s overall reception—but her outspokenness has often overshadowed her work. Film critic Kelechi Ehenulo, quoted in a BBC article on March 30, 2025, described Zegler as a “victim of culture wars,” noting that actors from underrepresented backgrounds, like Zegler, who is Latina, often become “targets for backlash.” However, others, including Jonah Platt, the son of Snow White producer Marc Platt, have been less sympathetic. In a now-deleted Instagram post reported by the New York Post, Platt called Zegler “immature” and “narcissistic,” accusing her of dragging her personal politics into the film’s promotion and hurting its box office performance.
The Fallout: What’s Next for Zegler?
The shutdown of She Gets It From Me raises serious questions about Zegler’s career trajectory. The actress has already faced significant hurdles following Snow White. Her next scheduled project, a West End production of Evita at the London Palladium, is set to run from June to September 2025, where she will play Eva Perón. However, the Daily Mail reported on March 28, 2025, that ticket sales for the show have been sluggish, suggesting that Zegler’s public image may be impacting her appeal. Her Broadway debut in a 2024 revival of Romeo and Juliet received mixed reviews, with some critics praising her vocal performance but others noting a lack of chemistry with co-star Kit Connor.
Zegler’s earlier roles, such as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), were commercially successful, grossing $348 million worldwide, and her Golden Globe win for West Side Story cemented her as a rising star. However, her recent projects, including Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) and Y2K (2024), have failed to make a significant impact, continuing a disappointing trend on Rotten Tomatoes, where Snow White scored a mere 40%.
The halt of She Gets It From Me could have lasting repercussions. Posts on X from users like @MARKHAL24182367 on May 6, 2025, reflect a growing sentiment that Zegler’s drama may be too much for Hollywood to handle, with some questioning whether studios will continue to take risks on her. Reddit threads on r/boxoffice, such as a post on March 21, 2025, debated whether Zegler’s career could survive another flop, with some users arguing that her talent will keep her afloat in smaller, indie projects, while others believe her controversies make her a liability for big-budget films.
A Crossroads for Zegler
Zegler’s journey in Hollywood has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Her undeniable talent—evident in her captivating performances and powerful vocals—has been overshadowed by a pattern of controversy that she seems unable or unwilling to escape. The shutdown of She Gets It From Me marks a critical moment for the young actress. Will she take a step back to reflect and recalibrate, perhaps focusing on stage work where her talents have historically shone? Or will this latest scandal further tarnish her reputation, making studios hesitant to cast her in leading roles?
For now, Zegler has not publicly addressed the shutdown of She Gets It From Me. Her silence, however, speaks volumes in an industry where perception often outweighs reality. As she prepares for her West End debut, the question remains: can Rachel Zegler rise above the chaos and reclaim her place as one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, or will this latest debacle define her career for years to come? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—the drama surrounding Zegler shows no signs of slowing down.
