Rachel Zegler Reportedly Refused To Delete Palestine Tweet Despite Disney Pressure Disney

The newly released live-action Snow White movie has been one of Disney’s most controversial films and not just because punters are sick of the constant reimaginings of our childhood faves. It all started last year with a tweet by lead star Rachel Zegler in support of Palestine.

On August 12, 2024, Zegler stirred up a storm after thanking fans for clocking up 120 million views on the movie’s trailer in 24 hours and ending it with: “and always remember, free Palestine”.

This brief statement, as reported by Variety, sent shockwaves through Disney’s executive ranks and resulted in mass criticism of both Zegler and the film itself.

The Snow White and Rachel Zegler controversy, explained

The reaction was swift and intense. A Disney executive raised concerns with Zegler’s team, while the film’s producer Marc Platt apparently went the extra mile and flew to New York for a face-to-face meeting with the actress. Their mission was clear: convince Zegler to delete the tweet. However, Zegler stood her ground, refusing to back down from her political stance so the tweet remained and gained a staggering 9.3 million views.

This wasn’t Zegler’s first brush with controversy related to the film. At D23, she had criticised the original 1937 Snow White, noting that the “[prince] literally stalks [Snow White]”. Is she wrong though?

Variety reports that Disney appointed a social media guru to monitor Zegler in the lead up to the film’s release.

Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler: Co-stars clashing

The controversy highlighted the stark contrast between Zegler and her co-star, Gal Gadot. While Zegler has been outspoken in her support for Palestine, Gadot, an Israeli actress, posted support for the IDF and civilian hostages taken during the October 7 Hamas attack.

Zegler and Gadot at the 97th Academy Awards. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

According to Variety, behind the scenes, the situation escalated further. Death threats toward Gadot spiked, forcing Disney to pay for additional security for the actress. The tension between the two stars became increasingly evident, with sources noting that Gadot maintained a certain distance and minimal interaction with Zegler during joint interviews and promotional events.

Variety reported that Disney scaled back the film’s premiere to only include photographers and a house crew on the red carpet as opposed to multiple media publications being invited as is normal for a movie premiere. Fans also noticed that at the March 15 premiere the two stars mostly kept apart.

Entertainment Tonight reported a source that said the co-stars were “very controlled” at the event and “kept it friendly” while posing on the red carpet together.

“There has definitely been tension between them, and they are not close by any means,” the source said.

Is Rachel Zegler really to blame for Snow White flopping?

While Zegler’s controversial tweets have grabbed headlines, they’re far from the only reason Snow White underperformed at the box office. Let’s break down the numbers and other factors that played a role:

Critical reception: The film received mixed reviews, holding a 42 per cent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing. Critics roasted the movie for its mid visuals and inability to capture the charm of the animated classic (despite its estimated $270 million to produce).
Production issues: The film faced several setbacks, including COVID-related delays, a fire on set, and the actors strike. It’s safe to say there was a lot going on.
Remake fatigue: Live-action remakes are literally EVERYWHERE and Disney’s live-action remakes have seen diminishing returns in recent years, with films like Dumbo and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil bombing and Peter Pan & Wendy getting shipped to Disney+.
Controversy beyond Zegler: The film faced criticism over its casting choices, the portrayal of dwarves, and attempts to modernise the story. Zegler’s casting as Snow White, a character traditionally depicted as European, also sparked a lot of racist backlash.
Market Conditions: The overall box office for 2025 is reportedly 4.6 per cent behind 2024’s figures, per Box Office Mojo by IMDB, indicating broader industry challenges.