Disney’s live-action Snow White (2025) was meant to sprinkle fairy-tale magic across theaters, with Rachel Zegler as the beloved princess and Gal Gadot as the menacing Evil Queen. Instead, it’s stumbled into a nightmare at the box office, sparking a firestorm of criticism that’s zeroed in on its star. Amid the chaos, whispers of Zegler unleashing her frustrations in a no-holds-barred Instagram Live session have set the internet buzzing, painting a picture of a young actress pushed to the brink by a high-profile flop.
A Box Office Fairy Tale Turned Tragedy
Directed by Marc Webb, Snow White has failed to enchant audiences, pulling in just over $81 million domestically after four weeks—a drop in the bucket compared to the $625 million needed globally to cover its $250 million budget. Critics have been brutal, handing it a 40% Rotten Tomatoes score for what some call a disjointed take on the classic tale. Fans have offered a slightly warmer 72% Popcornmeter rating, but the film’s slide to No. 8 on the domestic charts tells a grim story. Posts on X have called it a “historic failure,” with some predicting it may limp to just $280 million worldwide, barely clearing its production costs.
The film’s troubles aren’t just financial. From the outset, it courted controversy: Zegler’s comments criticizing the 1937 animated Snow White as outdated irked traditionalists, while the reimagined seven dwarfs stirred debates over creative liberties. Off-screen, reported political differences between Zegler and Gadot added fuel to the fire, turning the movie into a lightning rod for division.
Zegler in the Crosshairs
At 23, Rachel Zegler is no stranger to the spotlight, having soared in West Side Story and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. But Snow White has thrust her into a harsher glare. Her vocal defense of a modernized Snow White—emphasizing empowerment over the original’s damsel-in-distress trope—won her allies but alienated others who felt she disrespected a cherished classic. On X, detractors have been relentless, with one user sniping, “Zegler’s attitude sank this ship,” while others blame Disney’s casting and budget missteps.
Rumors of Zegler addressing this vitriol in a fiery Instagram Live have electrified the conversation. Though no verified footage has surfaced, the claim alone—that she “officially lost it”—has fueled speculation about what she might have said. Did she lash out at critics? Defend her role with passion? Or crack under the pressure of a sinking project? Without evidence, it’s impossible to say, but the rumor fits a narrative of an actress caught in a perfect storm of expectation and disappointment.
Disney’s Live-Action Slump
Snow White’s flop isn’t an isolated misstep—it’s part of a rough patch for Disney’s live-action remakes. The 2020s haven’t delivered the billion-dollar hits of yesteryear, like Aladdin ($1.05 billion) or The Lion King ($1.66 billion). Recent efforts, including The Little Mermaid (2023) and Mufasa: The Lion King (2024, $626.7 million), have underperformed, and Snow White’s trajectory suggests it may fare worse than 2019’s Dumbo ($283.8 million). Disney’s decision to halt a Tangled remake signals caution, hinting at a need to rethink budgets and fan expectations.
The $250 million price tag on Snow White looms large. For context, recent hits like Creed III ($276.1 million) and The Garfield Movie ($257.2 million) thrived on far leaner budgets, making Snow White’s shortfall sting harder. If it had cost less, its current haul might’ve been a win—but at this scale, it’s a gamble Disney lost.
Can Zegler Rise Above?
For Zegler, Snow White is a bruising chapter in a career still brimming with potential. If she did vent on IG Live, it wouldn’t be her first time engaging critics—she’s known for sharp, witty retorts on social media. But the intensity of this backlash, amplified by Snow White’s failure, tests her resilience. Fans on X are divided: some admire her boldness, others see her as out of touch. Her next moves—whether in upcoming roles or public statements—will shape whether she can shake off this setback.
Disney, meanwhile, is looking to Lilo & Stitch (May 2025) and Moana (July 2026) to break its live-action curse. Both carry strong brand recognition, but so did Snow White—proof that nostalgia alone isn’t enough. Tighter budgets and a sharper ear for fan sentiment could be the studio’s path forward.
A Tale Without a Happy Ending?
Snow White’s collapse has left scars, and Zegler’s rumored IG Live meltdown—whether real or exaggerated—captures the raw emotion of a dream gone sour. The film’s failure isn’t hers alone; it’s a shared miscalculation by a studio chasing fairy-tale gold in a skeptical world. As Zegler navigates the fallout, her story mirrors Snow White’s own: a heroine facing dark forests, hoping for light on the other side. For now, the internet’s watching, waiting to see if she’ll fight back or let the trolls win.
