Disney’s Snow White remake was supposed to be a surefire hit. Instead, it became one of the studio’s most controversial misfires in years. The film was dogged by criticism before release, marred by political firestorms during promotion, and ultimately collapsed at the box office. Now, Gal Gadot—the actress behind the Evil Queen—has drawn renewed attention to Snow White after candidly suggesting that anti-Israel backlash was to blame for the movie’s failure.
Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action SNOW WHITE. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Days later, as headlines erupted, she softened her position, admitting politics weren’t the sole factor.
Gadot’s First Remarks: “Pressure to Speak Out Against Israel”
Appearing on Israeli TV program The A Talks, Gal Gadot said she had been confident Snow White would be “a huge success” before the events of October 7th in Israel reshaped the cultural climate.
“There was a lot of pressure on celebrities to speak up against Israel,” Gadot explained.
Gal Gadot as Linnet Ridgeway Doyle in 20th Century Studios’ DEATH ON THE NILE. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
She added that critics viewed her “first and foremost as an Israeli, not as an actress,” describing the backlash she endured as personal and political. The implication was clear: the film hadn’t failed on its creative merits alone—it had been dragged down by cultural battles far beyond the studio lot.
The Rachel Zegler Connection
Gal Gadot and her comments can’t be separated from the most visible flashpoint surrounding the Snow White and Israel: Rachel Zegler and her “Free Palestine” post in August 2024.
While promoting the film’s trailer on X, Zegler wrote: “and always remember, free Palestine.” The message went viral, racking up millions of views.
Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Snow White (2025), Walt Disney Studios
The fallout was swift. Gadot reportedly received threats to both her life and the lives of her family, including her small children. This forced Disney to provide additional security for her and her family. According to trade reporting, producer Marc Platt even flew to New York to speak with Zegler about the situation.
The post stayed up, and Disney reportedly brought in a social media consultant to pre-approve Zegler’s posts ahead of release.
For many observers, even though Gal Gadot never mentioned Rachel Zegler by name or cast any blame on her in those August 2025 remarks, it certainly sounded like confirmation that the political controversy Zegler ignited was exactly what she believed had poisoned the film’s chances.
Clarifying Her Position
After her comments spread widely, Gadot issued a clarification. Posting to Instagram and speaking further in interviews, she acknowledged that her first remarks came from “an emotional place.”
“The film didn’t fail solely because of external pressures,” she wrote. “There are many factors that determine why a film succeeds or fails… success is never guaranteed.”
This walk-back reframed her stance. Politics, she emphasized, were only part of the story. Audience reception, marketing choices, and creative changes also played roles in the box office collapse.
Addressing Feud Rumors
Gadot also attempted to push back on widely circulated reports suggesting she and Zegler hated each other.
Rachel Zegler via Good Morning America YouTube
In her comments, Gadot described working with Zegler as “fun” and said they “shared a lot of laughter” on set—her effort to downplay speculation of hostility between the film’s two leads.
A Fairytale Lesson in Modern Hollywood
The Snow White saga will be remembered not for its visuals or story, but for the controversies that overwhelmed it. Zegler’s activism, Gadot’s Israeli identity, and Disney’s bungled management combined to turn a children’s fairytale into a cultural battlefield.
Gadot’s evolving words capture the dilemma: first, blaming anti-Israel backlash as the decisive factor in the film’s failure; then, retreating to a more nuanced explanation under the weight of headlines.
(L-R): Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen and Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Disney’s live-action SNOW WHITE. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Either way, her remarks demonstrate how little room Hollywood now has to separate politics from entertainment. In the modern era, box office numbers are no longer determined solely by what’s on the screen—but by everything that surrounds it.
How do you feel about Gal Gadot and her comments concerning Snow White and Israel? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
