Rachel Zegler’s polarizing political activism and public criticism of Disney’s original Snow White narrative collided with Hollywood’s business realities, creating a perfect storm that tanked the film’s box office prospects and damaged her career trajectory. Here’s how:

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– : Zegler tweeted “free Palestine” while promoting the film’s trailer in August 2024, sparking backlash against Israeli co-star Gal Gadot, a former IDF soldier and staunch Israel supporter. Gadot reportedly received death threats, forcing Disney to increase her security .
– : After Trump’s 2024 election win, Zegler posted, “May Trump supporters never know peace,” alienating conservative audiences. Disney intervened, flying producer Marc Platt to New York to reprimand her and assigning a social media “guru” to vet her posts .

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– : Zegler called the 1937 Snow White “extremely dated,” mocked Prince Charming as a “stalker,” and insisted the remake focus on female empowerment over romance. Critics accused her of disrespecting the source material .
– : Jonah Platt, son of producer Marc Platt, condemned Zegler for “hijacking the conversation for her own immature desires,” arguing her activism jeopardized jobs for thousands of crew members. He emphasized that “free speech doesn’t mean no repercussions” in private employment .

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– : Despite a $270 million budget, the film opened to just $42 million domestically and $87 million globally, with a projected 53% second-weekend drop. Critics panned its “lazy, visually repellent” execution and “woke” themes, such as CGI dwarfs replacing live actors .
– : Zegler’s politics signaled to half the potential audience that the film wasn’t for them. Combined with Disney’s “diverse” casting controversies and story changes, the movie became a lightning rod for broader cultural grievances .

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While Zegler has the right to personal opinions, Disney’s multi-million-dollar contracts require stars to avoid alienating paying audiences. Glenn Beck and others argue this isn’t about censorship but accountability: . The backlash underscores a generational divide, with older Hollywood figures viewing Zegler’s actions as reckless entitlement.

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– : Zegler’s reputation as a “politically salacious” figure risks limiting future roles, mirroring the careers of activists like Brie Larson, who faced similar industry skepticism .
– : Some allies, like Meghan McCain, argue she’s a “23-year-old learning lessons,” but studios may hesitate to cast her in family-friendly franchises after this debacle .

Disney’s Snow White serves as a cautionary tale: mixing activism with mass-market storytelling often backfires, leaving audiences—and careers—in the wreckage.