The Snow White disaster keeps getting worse. According to Page Six, Disney executives have been struggling to rein in lead actress Rachel Zegler, describing her as “out of control” and refusing to listen to direct requests from company higher-ups. In a desperate move to contain the damage, Disney is now leaning toward having select influencers interview Zegler rather than traditional press outlets—an apparent attempt to control the narrative and avoid further controversy.
Disney Executives Can’t Control Rachel Zegler
Insiders told Page Six that Disney has tried multiple times to get Zegler to tone down her controversial statements, but she has refused to comply.
“Disney’s lead actress is out of control,” the movie insider said. “They don’t know what to do … she’s an outspoken 20-something and Disney chiefs have called her directly and asked her to tone down her posts. They’ve called her management, but she won’t listen.”
Rachel Zegler singing in the Snow White Trailer – YouTube, Disney
The source went on to reveal that Zegler’s political outbursts, particularly her insistence on tying her activism directly to the promotion of Snow White, have made the situation even worse:
“It’s been this way the entire way through filming,” the insider said. “But it’s the tying of her politics to Snow White that is upsetting.”
These remarks add fuel to the fire that has surrounded Zegler for years, from her dismissive comments about the original 1937 film to her aggressive political rants, including her infamous post-election meltdown where she wished Trump supporters would “never know peace.”
Disney Turning to Influencers Instead of the Press
With Zegler proving to be a PR nightmare, Disney has apparently made the decision to skip traditional press interviews and instead rely on carefully selected influencers to help shape the film’s publicity.
“Disney is leaning towards having influencers to interview Rachel and Gal for promotion days on Sunday and Monday,” an industry insider told Page Six. “They want to concentrate on the content.”
Rachel Zegler as Maria in 20th Century Studios’ WEST SIDE STORY. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2021 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved
This move suggests that Disney is trying to avoid tough questions from the media and instead push positive talking points through carefully selected Disney-friendly social media personalities who won’t challenge Zegler’s past statements.
The decision also follows Disney’s bizarre handling of the film’s premiere, where the studio barred standard press from the red carpet—a tactic normally reserved for films facing massive controversy (The Flash and its Ezra Miller scandal being a prime example).
Zegler’s Role in the Backlash
Much of the hostility toward Snow White can be traced back to Zegler’s own words, which have only fueled audience resentment. At Disney’s D23 Expo, she openly mocked the original film, declaring: “She’s not going to be saved by the prince. She’s not going to be dreaming about true love. She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.”
Even before Snow White’s marketing had begun, Zegler’s open disdain for the source material alienated lifelong Disney fans. She later doubled down on her comments, dismissing the Prince’s role in the original as creepy.
Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Snow White (2025), Walt Disney Studios
“There’s a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird? Weird! So we didn’t do that this time.”
Coupled with her anti-Trump rant, anti-fan rhetoric, and Middle East activism, Zegler has become one of the most polarizing actresses in Hollywood.
Disney’s PR Disaster Keeps Getting Worse
With the film’s release just days away, Disney is clearly in damage control mode, scrambling to contain the fallout from Zegler’s uncontrollable behavior, massive fan backlash, and disastrous creative choices.
Between silencing the press, leaning on influencers for interviews, and desperately avoiding Zegler’s outspoken nature, Disney’s approach suggests they have zero confidence in Snow White’s reception.
Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Snow White (2025), Walt Disney Studios
But audiences aren’t forgetting Zegler’s past statements, and no amount of media manipulation is going to change that.
Are you surprised that Disney is unable to control Rachel Zegler? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
