Rachel Zegler Blasts Snow White & West Side Story Casting Controversies

Rachel Zegler has spoken out about the backlash surrounding her being cast in Snow White and her earlier breakthrough role in West Side Story. In a recent interview, the actress spoke candidly about the backlash she faced early in her career, including debates over her heritage and roles.

Rachel Zegler discusses controversies about her casting in Snow White and West Side Story

Rachel Zegler has addressed the criticism and online backlash that followed her casting in the 2025 live-action Snow White film as well as the public reaction surrounding her breakout role in 2021’s West Side Story. Speaking in a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar UK, the actress reflected on the backlash and how it affected her during the early years of her career.

Zegler said the reaction to her casting often focused on her heritage. The actress, who has Colombian and Polish roots, explained that she received conflicting criticism from different audiences. According to her, she was told that she was not “enough of one thing” for her role in West Side Story while being considered “too much of another” when she was later chosen to play the lead in Snow White. “It was a really confusing time to be in my early twenties and hearing that,” she said. 

Zegler explained that she has always taken pride in her background and the cultural traditions she grew up with. However, she added, “But I do think there’s an argument to be made that, in the public eye at least, when you’re two things, you’re simultaneously nothing. But I refuse to assimilate for anybody else’s comfort.” 

Looking back on that period, she said the level of attention and hostility was overwhelming. “If I’d been able to predict everything that would come my way, the threats to my safety, I would have just thrown my phone into the ocean. I think any sane person would have,” the actress noted.

Source: Comingsoon.net