Rachel Zegler, the star of Disney’s live-action Snow White, appeared to be walking back her controversial comments about the original 1937 animated classic in a recent interview—but in a way that felt more carefully crafted by corporate PR rather than a genuine change of heart.
In a recent interview with Vogue Mexico, Zegler rebranded the backlash against the film and her earlier remarks as a sign of “passion” from fans.
Rachel Zegler singing in the Snow White Trailer – YouTube, Disney
“I interpret people’s sentiments towards this film as passion,” Zegler said. “What an honor to be a part of something that people feel so passionately about. We’re not always going to agree with everyone who surrounds us and all we can do is our best.” (Quotes translated from Spanish to English by Variety)
While this may sound like a diplomatic response, it sharply contrasts with her tone from months ago when the Snow White remake first came under fire. Zegler originally criticized the 1937 classic, calling it “dated” and referring to the prince as someone who “literally stalks” Snow White. She dismissed the original storyline by saying, “It’s not 1937 anymore, and very evidently so,” signaling her disapproval of the film’s core themes. She balked at the idea of Snow White’s primary dream being finding true love, as though love and happiness isn’t something anyone should aspire to.
Rachel Zegler as Maria in 20th Century Studios’ WEST SIDE STORY. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2021 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Now, by labeling fan backlash as “passion,” Zegler is attempting to reframe the conversation in a more positive light, a classic corporate PR tactic. Instead of directly addressing her past comments or issuing an apology, she’s chosen to reinterpret the criticism as rooted in love for the original film rather than disapproval of her.
This approach allows her to appear gracious while sidestepping responsibility for the controversy she fueled.
The Shift in Tone: From Defiant to Diplomatic
When Zegler was first cast as Snow White, her statements were bold, defiant, and unapologetic. She made headlines for declaring, “Yes, I am playing Snow White. No, I am not bleaching my skin for the role,” a comment that sparked widespread debate even though there was no significant public call for her to do so.
Her early comments were clearly meant to paint her as someone willing to challenge the status quo, but they instead alienated many fans who felt she was disrespecting a beloved classic.
Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Snow White (2025), Walt Disney Studios
Fast forward to now, and her language has softened. “What an honor to be a part of something that people feel so passionately about,” Zegler now says—a stark contrast to her previous dismissals of the original film.
The shift feels less like a personal realization and more like an orchestrated attempt to mend public perception.
Invoking Identity to Shift the Narrative
In her Vogue Mexico interview, Rachel Zegler also brought the conversation back to her heritage and the challenges of representing diverse communities in Hollywood.
“I understand that the conversation comes from the community not wanting to be seen as a monolith, but the reality of being Latino and working in this industry is that we try to represent the entire diaspora,” she said. “I know where I’ve been, I represent it in my narrative, and I carry it in my heart every day. No one can ever tell me that it’s not a part of me.”
Rachel Zegler via Variety YouTube
The timing of this statement is notable. By invoking her identity, Zegler subtly shifts the focus away from the original criticisms about the film’s content and her comments, reframing the conversation around diversity and inclusion. It’s another classic PR strategy: redirect the narrative to a broader issue to deflect individual criticism.
Why This Feels Disingenuous
The biggest reason Zegler’s recent comments feel hollow is that we’ve seen how she really behaves in unscripted moments. This latest Rachel Zegler interview reads more like a polished PR statement than the outspoken personality audiences have come to know—especially when compared to her public outbursts.
A prime example is her reaction following the last U.S. presidential election. Zegler faced major backlash after posting an emotional outburst on social media, where she lambasted President-elect Donald Trump and his supporters, stating they should “never know peace.” The backlash from that post was so intense that she was forced to issue a formal apology.
A screenshot of Rachel Zegler’s Incendiary tweets about Donald Trump and his supporters – Photo Credit Steph Anie, @MyNerdyHome Via X
That Rachel Zegler apology, much like her recent Vogue Mexico interview, echoed all the hallmarks of corporate damage control—carefully worded, vague on specifics, and aimed at calming the storm rather than expressing genuine remorse.
Her new comments about Snow White feel eerily similar. The same polished, diplomatic language used in her apology is now being applied to her comments about the film’s backlash. It’s difficult for audiences to reconcile this toned-down rhetoric with the more combative and defiant Zegler they’ve seen in interviews and on social media.
Is Disney Behind the Curtain?
It’s hard to ignore the possibility that Disney’s PR team had a hand in crafting these statements. With Snow White facing dismal box office projections and a slew of negative press—from trailer dislike ratios hitting the millions to the controversies surrounding the film’s portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs—there’s clear pressure to course-correct the narrative. Zegler’s comments now read less like a personal reflection and more like corporate damage control.
Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Snow White (2025), Walt Disney Studios
This shift also aligns with Disney’s recent marketing strategies. As covered in previous articles, the studio has been steadily reducing Zegler’s screen time in promotional materials, focusing instead on Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen. Trailers have cut Zegler’s presence by nearly 50%, and even recent TV spots lean heavily on nostalgia from the 1937 film, attempting to remind audiences of the original magic while downplaying the significant changes in the remake.
Will This Snow White PR Strategy Work?
Zegler’s recent comments may soften the backlash, but for many fans, it might be too little, too late. The internet rarely forgets, and the stark contrast between her earlier defiant tone and her new diplomatic approach makes this shift feel disingenuous. With Snow White already facing lackluster projections—expected to open between $63-$70 million domestically against a $300 million budget—this PR spin may not be enough to salvage the film’s reputation.
Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Disney’s live-action SNOW WHITE. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
In the end, Zegler’s backpedaling highlights a broader issue: audiences can spot inauthenticity a mile away. On top of that, the new media, composed of bloggers, YouTube personalities, and independent news organizations outside the Hollywood bubble, won’t buy into the spin the way the mainstream access media always has.
While Disney and its stars scramble to control the narrative, fans remain unconvinced, and Snow White continues to face an uphill battle as its release date draws near.
What do you think about this Rachel Zegler interview? Sound off in the comments below and let us know!
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