Hudson Williams faces online backlash after old Rachel Zegler Letterboxd review resurfaces

Hudson is facing criticism for his comments on Zegler's role in 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes'

A resurfaced film review written by actor Hudson Williams has prompted online backlash, with fans criticising his comments about Rachel Zegler’s performance in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.

Screenshots from Williams’ deleted Letterboxd account show he awarded the 2023 prequel three stars while singling out Zegler as the weakest performer.

In the review, he wrote that “most of the acting was really good and Tom was fantastic but Rachel was probably the least embodied performance I’ve seen in the last 5 years or so if I’m being brutally honest.” He added that she “really struggled to sell the idea of being someone born in the districts” and felt like “a musical theatre kid trying way too hard.”

As the review circulated again this week, social media users responded harshly. One widely shared post read, “Hudson Williams having the audacity to speak on Rachel Zegler’s acting when he’s the worst actor in a show filled with bad acting.” Another fan wrote, “Rachel was absolutely phenomenal in tbosas, which just makes me think he was subscribing to the misogynistic hate train against her.”

Critics have also accused Williams of hypocrisy, with some questioning his own acting credentials. Supporters of Zegler argue that the comments reflect broader patterns of disproportionate scrutiny faced by young female performers.

The review, originally posted in December 2023, has resurfaced as Williams promotes the success of Heated Rivalry and prepares for a scheduled appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.