Rachel Zegler promotes Snow White solo in New York as Disney’s live-action remake faces backlash

Rachel Zegler attends a low-key Snow White screening in New York amid controversy over Disney’s live-action remake.

Rachel Zegler continued promoting Disney’s live-action Snow White remake with a solo appearance at a special screening in New York City on Thursday. The event at The Whitby Hotel followed a scaled-back Los Angeles premiere, where Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot had minimal public interaction, fueling speculation of tension between them.

According to Daily Mail, the New York screening was notably understated compared to traditional Disney premieres. Instead of an elaborate red carpet, Zegler and guests posed in front of a red rose backdrop. The 23-year-old actress wore a sequined top with flared trousers and carried a gold apple-shaped purse, a nod to the Poisoned Apple from the original film. She also greeted young fans dressed in Snow White costumes.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that the $240 million remake has been a lightning rod for controversy. Criticism has focused on the film’s modernized approach, including changes to Snow White’s romance arc and the use of CGI in place of traditional dwarf actors. Zegler has also faced backlash for past comments, in which she called the 1937 animated classic “sexist” and “weird.” Adding to the drama, People reports a rumored feud between Zegler and Gadot, with sources citing differences in their age, political views, and life stages.

Despite previous critiques of the original film, Zegler shifted to a more positive stance in a Good Morning America interview earlier that day. She described playing Snow White as “the honor of a lifetime” and emphasized that the film aims to modernize the classic tale for today’s audiences.

Early reviews have been largely negative, with some critics labeling Snow White as “exhaustingly awful.” Box office projections suggest a disappointing opening weekend when the film premieres on March 21, raising concerns for Disney’s latest live-action adaptation.