Rachel Zegler received support from actresses Helen Mirren and Ariana Grande in the wake of criticism over her casting as Snow White. Zegler, known for her role as Maria in the 2021 West Side Story remake, faced backlash when she was chosen to portray the princess in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs.
The 23-year-old actress, of Latina descent, faced scrutiny for playing a character described as having skin “as white as snow.” Despite the online backlash, Zegler expressed gratitude for the defenders but requested not to tag her in comments.
In an interview with Allure magazine, Zegler praised British actress Jameela Jamil for her support and advocacy for diverse casting in traditional roles. She also credited Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu as her pillars of strength during challenging times.
Zegler recounted a gesture of kindness from Ariana Grande, who reached out to offer support, showcasing admiration for Grande’s resilience in the face of public scrutiny.
The actress hopes that her portrayal of Snow White will inspire young audiences to embrace kindness and positive change without resorting to anger or division.
Reflecting on her experiences, Zegler discussed challenges faced as a Latina actress in the industry, emphasizing the importance of representation and identity validation.
Disney’s upcoming Snow White premiere has drawn attention following criticism from actor Peter Dinklage regarding the portrayal of the dwarves in the film. Disney responded by consulting the dwarfism community to address concerns and opted for CGI for the dwarf characters.
Zegler is set to star as Eva Peron in the musical Evita at the London Palladium later this year.
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