Rachel Zegler may be just 23, but her latest role puts her at the heart of one of Hollywood’s most heated cultural conversations—and one of Disney’s most iconic stories. As the star of the upcoming Snow White live-action remake, Zegler is not just stepping into a legendary role, but reshaping what it means to be a modern Disney Princess.
At a fitting in Christian Dior’s VIP salon in Manhattan, Zegler gazes at her reflection in a floor-length mirror wearing a custom silk taffeta gown, complete with a corset bodice, cinched waist, and butterfly appliqués—a vision she plans to wear to the LA premiere. “I feel like an actual princess,” she says. Crafted over 400 hours, the dress is pure fantasy and serves as a symbolic bridge between classic fairy tale glamor and Zegler’s own journey.
Zegler’s casting as Snow White sparked backlash the moment it was announced—an echo of the uproar surrounding Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel. Critics argued Disney was straying too far from “tradition.” But this tradition, Zegler and others argue, isn’t about skin color—it’s about spirit, bravery, and kindness. In a world currently rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Zegler’s casting matters. “If young Latinas see themselves in Snow White,” she says, “it’s not rewriting history—it’s acknowledging the country as it is today.”
Born to a Colombian mother, Zegler is no stranger to identity scrutiny. She faced similar questions when cast as María in West Side Story, with industry figures asking her to "prove" her heritage. “Do you want me to bring my abuelita in?” she remembers thinking. “I will.”
Her talent, not her background, got her the job. “The reality is, I was given a chance because I could sing,” she says, reflecting on her audition. At the time, Spielberg’s West Side Story hadn’t even been released. There were no credits to rely on—only her voice, her presence, and a screen test that moved producers to tears.
Director Marc Webb recalls: “She made us cry during her audition with ‘Waiting on a Wish.’ And she understood the tone—nostalgic but fresh. Fairy tale magic, with modern heart.”
Snow White, as reimagined in this new adaptation, opens with a blizzard at her birth—symbolizing her resilience, not her race. The character is updated to reflect the complex strength of modern womanhood, something Zegler herself has come to embody. “Snow White chooses kindness and still makes change,” she says. “Power takes many forms.”
Zegler draws strength from the supportive women in her life, including mentors like Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu, and friends like Ariana Grande, who reached out “just to say I’m here if you need anything.” She's also found inspiration in Gerwig’s Little Women—“Just because my dreams are different doesn’t mean they’re unimportant,” a line she quotes often.
Despite past backlash from a 2022 interview in which she called the original film “dated,” Zegler now celebrates Snow White’s evolving storyline, including a reimagined romance. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting love,” she says. “The way the story unfolds, love happens naturally—it’s not the goal, but a beautiful surprise.”
Zegler’s Snow White isn’t waiting for rescue. She is, in her own words, “everything you’ve been wishing and waiting for.” It’s a message not just for girls watching—but for everyone wondering what kind of future we want to imagine.
