Happily never after?
Rachel Zegler fired back at a critic on social media after they claimed she’s not a soprano in Disney’s “Snow White” live-action film.
The Golden Globe winner, 23, who is the lead star of the adaptation, attended a promotional event in Segovia, Spain, on Tuesday ahead of the film’s release on March 21.
Rachel Zegler fired back at a critic on social media after they claimed she’s not a soprano in Disney’s “Snow White” live-action film. Getty Images for Disney
Disney’s official Instagram account posted a video from the night, which saw Zegler perform “Waiting on a Wish” in front of Alcázar de Segovia Castle, which served as the inspiration behind the castle in the original 1937 film.
However, some fans weren’t impressed with the lead star’s vocals.
“NO thanks. Disney wasn’t [sic] so difficult to cast a soprano ???” one user critiqued.
To which Zegler responded, “I am a soprano! West Side Story is now streaming on Disney+! ❤️🍎.”
The actress notably won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in 2021 for her starring role in the musical.
After a string of controversies plagued the yet-to-be-released film, Disney made the executive decision to scale back the press tour and avoid all over-the-top premieres.
As a result, the film’s upcoming March 15 premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles will be a quiet affair, with the screening being limited to photographers and an in-house crew, Variety reported.
The Golden Globe winner, 23, who is the lead star of the adaptation, attended a promotional event in Segovia, Spain, on Tuesday ahead of the film’s release. Getty Images for Disney
Some fans weren’t impressed with the lead star’s vocals at Tuesday’s event.
Zegler and her co-star Gal Galdot, 39, are both expected to be at the event, however, they will not be doing a Q&A or any press interviews.
Additionally, Disney decided to sensationally pull the plug on the UK premiere of the film altogether.
Director Marc Webb’s film has been facing years-long scrutiny after he — in tandem with Disney — decided to replace the fairy tale’s seven dwarfs with CGI to “avoid reinforcing stereotypes” from the original film.
The decision sparked mass outrage from critics and fans of the 1937 classic, with many accusing the company of being too “politically correct” and “woke.”
Disney made the executive decision to scale back the press tour and avoid all over-the-top premieres following a string of controversies. Walt Disney Co.
Zegler stars opposite Gal Gadot in the live adaptation of the 1937 classic. Giles Keyte
The outrage was echoed by “Game of Thrones” actor Peter Dinklage, who has dwarfism.
“Literally no offense to anyone, but I was a little taken aback [when] they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, but you’re still telling the story of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’” the actor, 55, said on Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast in 2022.
He added, “You’re progressive in one way, but then you’re still making that f–king backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together. What the f–k are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough.”
The film faced further scrutiny when it was announced that Zegler, a Latina actress, was cast as the lead.
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Zegler later faced even more backlash after calling the original animated “Snow White” “extremely dated,” and declaring that the remake wouldn’t highlight her character as a damsel in distress.
The film also faced mass boycotts after Zegler went on a social media rant against those who voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
The film faced further scrutiny when it was announced that Zegler, a Latina actress, was cast as the lead. Walt Disney Co.
David Hale Hand, whose late father, Disney animator David Hand, was the supervising director for the original 1937 “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” said the new live-action would make his father and Walt Disney “roll in their graves.”
“The original was the way it should be. From what I’ve read, [the new film] bears no reflection to the original story. It’s so far off-base that it’s ridiculous,” Hand, 93, said. “They’ve taken it and moved into the politics of what is woke.”