Rachel Zegler BLASTS Gal Gadot Post Snow White DISASTER! Triggers Unsettling Disney Meltdown

Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White, released on March 21, 2025, has spiraled into one of the most controversial projects in the company’s history, culminating in a public clash between its leading stars, Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. The film, which reimagines the 1937 animated classic with Zegler as Snow White and Gadot as the Evil Queen, has not only tanked at the box office but also ignited a firestorm of criticism, political tension, and rumored on-set drama. Recent developments have seen Zegler publicly criticize Gadot, sending shockwaves through Disney and leaving fans and industry insiders reeling from the fallout.

A Box Office Catastrophe Sets the Stage

The Snow White remake was poised to be a triumphant addition to Disney’s roster of live-action adaptations, but it quickly became a cautionary tale. Despite a reported budget of $270 million—ballooning to $350 million with marketing and distribution—the film has grossed a mere $184.9 million globally as of May 10, 2025, according to reports from the Daily Mail. This dismal performance marks it as one of Disney’s worst-performing films ever, with the studio projected to incur a $115 million loss. Critics have been harsh, with Rotten Tomatoes reflecting a 40% approval rating from 253 reviews, while IMDb users have rated it a staggering low of 1.6 out of 10 based on 343,000 votes.

The film’s troubles began long before its release. Production faced numerous setbacks, including delays from the COVID-19 pandemic, SAG-AFTRA strikes, and even a fire on set. Creative decisions also stirred controversy: the use of CGI dwarves was widely panned, and the modernized plot—transforming Snow White from a damsel in distress into a feminist leader plotting to overthrow the Evil Queen—divided audiences. Some praised the progressive updates, but others felt they betrayed the spirit of the original fairy tale. The Hollywood Reporter noted that the “dull trailer looked A.I.-generated,” and critics like those at The Guardian called the remake “toe-curlingly terrible,” singling out Gadot’s performance as “absolutely abhorrent.”

Political Tensions and Rumored Feuds

Beyond the film’s creative missteps, the real drama unfolded off-screen, driven by the stark political differences between its two stars. Rachel Zegler, a 23-year-old Latina actress, has been vocal about her support for Palestine, advocating for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict since 2021. Gal Gadot, a 39-year-old Israeli actress and former IDF instructor, has been equally outspoken in her support for Israel, notably condemning Hamas and organizing screenings of a documentary about the October 7, 2023, attacks. These opposing stances placed Snow White at the center of a geopolitical firestorm, with pro-Palestine viewers calling for a boycott of the film over Gadot’s involvement, while some critics accused Disney of perpetuating anti-Semitic tropes by casting an Israeli actress as the “evil” character.

Rumors of a feud between Zegler and Gadot have swirled for months. Sources cited by People magazine described the two as having “nothing in common,” with their “political views differ[ing], adding to the tension.” While a second source clarified that Gadot was “fine” with Zegler despite their differences, the lack of joint promotional appearances spoke volumes. At the film’s premiere on March 15, 2025, at the El Capitan Theatre, Zegler and Gadot reportedly kept their distance, and two days later, Gadot promoted the film solo at Disneyland. By the 97th Academy Awards, their tension was palpable—they presented an award together but didn’t exchange a glance.

Zegler’s social media activity only fueled the fire. In August 2024, after the Snow White teaser trailer garnered 120 million views in a single day, Zegler posted on X, expressing gratitude to fans but ending with, “and always remember, free Palestine.” The post sparked immediate backlash, with Variety reporting that it led to death threats against Gadot, prompting Disney to hire additional security for the actress. The film’s producer, Marc Platt, reportedly flew to New York to urge Zegler to be more mindful of her social media presence, but she stood her ground, refusing to delete the post. Later, after Donald Trump’s election win in November 2024, Zegler posted “f*** Donald Trump” on Instagram, further igniting controversy. She eventually agreed to have a social media professional vet her posts, but the damage was done.

Zegler’s Public Attack on Gadot

The simmering tension between the two actresses boiled over on May 7, 2025, when Zegler broke her silence in a YouTube video that quickly went viral. In the video, shared by user @kokesh82 on X, Zegler didn’t hold back, directly addressing Gadot and the Snow White fallout. “I’ve stayed quiet for too long, but I can’t anymore,” Zegler said, her voice trembling with emotion. “Gal’s actions during this whole process have been disappointing, to say the least. She’s used her platform to silence others, and I won’t stand for it. This film was supposed to be about unity, but instead, it’s been a battleground—and I’m tired of being the scapegoat.”

Zegler’s comments sent shockwaves through Hollywood, with many interpreting them as an accusation that Gadot had pressured Disney to shift blame onto her for the film’s failure. She also hinted at behind-the-scenes dynamics, claiming that Gadot’s influence as a more established star had overshadowed her own contributions. “I poured my heart into this role, but all anyone wants to talk about is the drama,” Zegler continued. “I’m not the villain here, and I won’t let anyone paint me as one.”

The timing of Zegler’s outburst couldn’t have been worse for Disney, which was already grappling with the film’s fallout. Lebanon banned Snow White in late April 2025 due to Gadot’s presence on the country’s Israel Boycott List, a move that further damaged the film’s global reach. The boycott, combined with the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement’s calls to shun the film over Gadot’s pro-Israel stance, had already alienated a significant portion of the audience. Zegler’s public attack on Gadot only deepened the crisis, thrusting Disney into an unsettling meltdown as it struggled to manage the narrative.

Disney’s Meltdown and Industry Repercussions

Disney’s response to the Snow White disaster has been chaotic, to say the least. The studio scaled back the film’s premiere amid the controversies, opting for a modest event at the El Capitan Theatre rather than a lavish red-carpet affair. Internally, the fallout has forced Disney to reevaluate its live-action remake strategy. The Daily Mail reported that the company has paused production on a planned live-action Tangled, signaling a broader hesitation to greenlight similar projects. “Disney is in damage control mode,” an industry insider told The New Yorker. “They can’t control their actors’ beliefs, but they could’ve been more thoughtful about casting. This whole mess has been a PR nightmare.”

Zegler, meanwhile, has borne the brunt of the blame for the film’s failure, despite many critics praising her performance as a highlight. ScreenRant’s Rachel Labonte noted that Zegler “completely embodies the role of the Disney princess,” adding depth and nuance to the character. Yet, her outspokenness—both about the original 1937 film, which she called “extremely dated,” and her political views—has made her a lightning rod for criticism. Some, like Danica Patrick, have openly trolled her, with the former race car driver sharing a critical video on Instagram captioned, “Bye bye.” Others, including Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver, have defended Zegler, arguing on their podcast Miss Me? that her willingness to stand up for her beliefs aligns with Disney’s own narratives of adversity and resilience.

Gadot, for her part, has remained relatively silent, focusing on her next project—a thriller film she was spotted filming in early May 2025. However, her casting in Snow White has drawn its own share of criticism, with some accusing Disney of insensitivity amid the Israel-Gaza conflict. The ban in Lebanon, as reported by The Independent, underscores the broader geopolitical implications of her involvement, which have overshadowed the film’s artistic merits.

What’s Next for Zegler, Gadot, and Disney?

As the dust settles, both Zegler and Gadot are moving forward with new projects. Zegler has lined up a role in the comedy-drama She Gets It From Me opposite Marisa Tomei, though fan reactions remain mixed, with some skeptical of her ability to rebound from the Snow White debacle. She’s also set to star in a West End production of Evita in London, but ticket sales have been sluggish, according to the Daily Mail. Gadot, meanwhile, appears to be distancing herself from the controversy, focusing on her thriller and maintaining a lower profile.

For Disney, the Snow White disaster serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in live-action remakes, particularly when they intersect with real-world political tensions. The studio’s attempt to modernize a beloved classic has backfired spectacularly, leaving fans and critics alike questioning whether the House of Mouse can regain its magic touch. As Zegler and Gadot navigate the fallout of their public clash, the unsettling Disney meltdown shows no signs of abating, casting a long shadow over the future of its live-action endeavors.