Opinions Shift on Rachel Zegler

After the release of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the media’s opinions on Rachel Zegler changed from her recent controversy in Disney’s live-action Snow White.

Rachel Zegler gained media attention from a recent controversy during the filming process of Disney’s live-action Snow White. The actress was cast as Snow White along with Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. 

Zegler stated in a recent interview, “I was scared of the original version. I think I watched it once and never picked it up again. I’m being so serious.” This caused conflict with Disney fans as they opposed the fact Disney cast an actress to portray a character who doesn’t have a meaningful connection with the character personally.

Sophomore Nora Campbell stated, “People are obviously mad that someone who hates Snow White is going to be playing her.”

Fans were even more enraged when Zegler stated that the new film was modernizing the perspective on the beloved original character of Snow White because “it’s no longer 1937.” Throughout her interviews, Zegler constructed hate against the character of Snow White dreaming of true love and being saved by the prince. Instead, Zegler and Gadot hint at a difference in the new film by explaining the new perspective on Snow White wanting to be a leader.

“She brings up some fair points on the way the prince treats her when he finds her body in the woods, however, girls need to understand that being in love is ok. It shouldn’t be taught that women have to choose between love and a successful career,” Sophomore Allison Goode stated.

The hate against the new film resulted in the release date being pushed back by over a year. 

This controversy has caused Zegler many mixed opinions on her as a person, but the release of The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes has seemed to change the public’s perception of the actress.

The release of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes on November 17 overperformed at the box office passing the $100M mark on only its 11th day after its release. This didn’t shock too many people as the comeback of Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games was anticipated after an eight-year break from the series.

Starring in the film was none other than Rachel Zegler, but the public’s opinion seemed to have changed since her previous controversy during the filming process of Disney’s Snow White.

Fans express that Zegler perfected the role of Lucy Gray from her magnetic personality to her bold singing. 

Once again, Zegler gained attention from the media, but this time in a positive manner as her portrayal of Lucy Gray completely opposed her hatred for the original Snow White.

“After The Hunger Games came out she seemed [a] more positive [role model], but before she was more negative,” stated sophomore Allissa Valcore.

There’s no question that Zegler’s acting paired with Tom Blyth’s depiction of Cornelius Snow rapidly increased the popularity of the movie. The pair had the perfect chemistry between their characters that audiences adored in theaters.

Goode stated, “She has a presence on screen that is captivating.”

Overall opinions on Rachel Zegler have drastically changed throughout the year. From being a negative representation to an idolized role model, many people have forgiven Zegler for the Snow White controversy as a whole.