In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, Disney’s live-action Snow White remake, released on March 21, 2025, has reportedly been pulled from shelves across major retailers following an unprecedented backlash. The $250 million film, already marred by a dismal box office performance and a firestorm of controversies, now faces a new scandal as rumors swirl that the movie has been banned in several regions due to its polarizing content. Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old star who played Snow White, responded to the news in a tearful video on April 9, 2025, titled “Snow White REMOVED From Shelves?! Rachel Zegler RESPONDS In Tears!” on YouTube, where she expressed her devastation over the film’s fate. As of April 9, 2025, at 09:57 PM PDT, this latest development has ignited a fierce debate, with Zegler at the center of a storm that threatens to derail her career. Let’s dive into the sensational details of this unfolding drama and what it means for Disney and its young star.
A Fairytale Turned Disaster: The Snow White Ban Rumors
Disney’s Snow White remake was poised to be a magical reimagining of the 1937 animated classic, but it has instead become a cautionary tale of Hollywood hubris. Despite its massive $250 million budget, the film has grossed just $169 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, marking it as one of Disney’s most significant financial flops in recent years. The movie’s failure has been attributed to a slew of issues: racist backlash against Zegler’s casting, poor CGI for the seven dwarfs, and a modernized plot that alienated fans of the original. However, the latest controversy takes the debacle to a new level—reports claim that Snow White has been removed from shelves in several regions, including parts of the Middle East and conservative U.S. states, due to its “offensive” content.
The YouTube video “Snow White REMOVED From Shelves?! Rachel Zegler RESPONDS In Tears!” uploaded on April 9, 2025, suggests that the film’s feminist themes, combined with Zegler’s political statements, have led to its ban. While the video does not provide official confirmation from Disney, it cites unverified sources claiming that retailers like Walmart and Target have pulled physical copies of the film from their stores in response to pressure from conservative groups. These groups allegedly objected to the film’s portrayal of Snow White as a feminist leader rather than a traditional damsel in distress, as well as Zegler’s pro-Palestine stance, which has been a lightning rod for controversy since her August 2024 X post, “and always remember, free Palestine,” garnered 8.8 million views.
The video also hints at a petition circulating online, reportedly signed by over 50,000 people, demanding the film’s removal from streaming platforms like Disney+ due to its “woke agenda.” While these claims remain unconfirmed, the rumor mill has been enough to spark outrage among fans and detractors alike. On X, posts have emerged with hashtags like #BanSnowWhite and #RachelZeglerCancelled, with one user writing, “Disney crossed a line with this woke garbage. Good riddance!” Meanwhile, Zegler’s supporters have decried the ban as “censorship,” arguing that the film’s message of empowerment should be celebrated, not silenced.
Rachel Zegler’s Tearful Response: A Star in Crisis
In the YouTube video, Rachel Zegler appears visibly emotional, her voice trembling as she addresses the reported ban. “I poured my heart into this role, and to see it being torn apart like this… it’s heartbreaking,” she says, wiping away tears. “I never meant to offend anyone. I just wanted to tell a story about a strong woman who stands up for herself. Is that so wrong?” Zegler’s raw vulnerability has struck a chord with her fans, who have flooded social media with messages of support, but it has also intensified the backlash from her critics, who see her emotional response as a publicity stunt.
Zegler’s journey with Snow White has been tumultuous from the start. Her casting in 2021 drew racist criticism from some fans who argued she wasn’t “white enough” to play the character, a controversy that mirrored the attacks on Halle Bailey for The Little Mermaid. Zegler’s comments about the original 1937 film—calling it “extremely dated” and the Prince a “stalker”—were branded a “woke tirade” by outlets like the Daily Mail, alienating traditional Disney fans. Her political activism, particularly her pro-Palestine stance, further polarized audiences, especially given her co-star Gal Gadot’s public support for Israel. The tension between the two actresses has been well-documented, with Gadot previously commenting on Zegler’s “bad attitude” during the film’s promotion, as reported in a March 26, 2025, YouTube video.
The reported ban has only added fuel to the fire. In her tearful response, Zegler also addresses the personal toll of the controversy, saying, “I’ve been called so many horrible things—racist slurs, threats, you name it. I’m 23 years old, and I’m just trying to do what I love. Why is this happening to me?” Her words highlight the intense scrutiny she has faced, raising questions about the fairness of the backlash and the role of social media in amplifying hate. Some fans have rallied around her, with one X user writing, “Rachel Zegler doesn’t deserve this. She’s a talented young woman who’s being scapegoated for Disney’s mistakes.”
Disney’s Silence: A Studio Under Fire
Disney has yet to issue an official statement confirming or denying the ban, but the studio’s silence has only fueled speculation. The YouTube video suggests that Disney may be attempting to distance itself from the controversy by quietly pulling the film from circulation, a move that some see as an attempt to avoid further backlash. However, this strategy has backfired, with critics accusing Disney of abandoning Zegler and failing to defend its own creative vision. Film critic Conor Riley, in a BBC article on April 10, 2025, called Disney’s response “cowardly,” stating, “If Disney believed in this film’s message, they would stand by it, not let it be buried under pressure from a vocal minority.”
The ban rumor comes on the heels of other setbacks for Snow White. The film’s premiere was scaled back to a low-key event with no traditional red carpet interviews, and Disney limited press access during its European premiere in Segovia, Spain, opting for a controlled event with influencers rather than journalists, as reported by the Daily Mail. The studio also hired a “social media guru” to vet Zegler’s posts after her controversial political statements, including her post-election comments in November 2024, where she wrote, “Fuck Donald Trump,” further alienating conservative audiences.
The Bigger Picture: A Wake-Up Call for Hollywood
The Snow White ban scandal underscores deeper issues in Hollywood, particularly around the treatment of young, non-white actresses and the risks of politicizing beloved classics. Zegler’s experience mirrors that of other young stars, such as Millie Bobby Brown, who have faced intense scrutiny and bullying in the public eye. The racist and misogynistic backlash against Zegler, combined with the pressure to navigate a high-profile project, highlights a troubling double standard: white actresses in similar Disney remakes, like Emma Watson in Beauty and the Beast, have not faced the same level of vitriol.
The ban also raises questions about the viability of Disney’s live-action remake strategy. The studio’s aggressive pursuit of nostalgia-driven projects has been criticized as a lack of originality, with Snow White serving as a cautionary tale. The film’s failure has already prompted Disney to reconsider future princess remakes, with the Daily Mail reporting that a potential Tangled remake is now “off the table.” The ban rumor, if true, could further damage Disney’s reputation, signaling to audiences that the studio is willing to bow to pressure rather than stand by its creative decisions.
What’s Next for Zegler and Disney?
For Rachel Zegler, the Snow White scandal has been a brutal baptism by fire. Her tearful response in the YouTube video has humanized her to some extent, but the relentless backlash has taken a toll. Photographed in New York City looking “deflated” on April 8, 2025, as reported by the Daily Mail, Zegler faces an uphill battle to rebuild her public image. However, her talent remains undeniable—critics like those at The Hollywood Reporter have called her the “best thing” about Snow White—and she has upcoming projects, such as a role in the West End production of Evita, that may offer a chance for redemption.
Disney, meanwhile, is at a crossroads. The studio must decide whether to double down on its remake strategy or pivot to more original content. The Snow White ban, whether real or rumored, has exposed the risks of politicizing fairytales in a polarized climate, and Disney’s failure to support Zegler has drawn criticism from fans and industry insiders alike. As the fairytale of Snow White descends into chaos, one thing is clear: this is a story that will be remembered not for its magic, but for its mayhem, with Rachel Zegler caught in the crossfire of a Hollywood disaster that shows no signs of slowing down.
