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Rachel Zegler, known for her roles in major film productions like “The Hunger Games: A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” and “West Side Story,” has demonstrated her readiness for the spotlight. However, as her star has ascended, so has the attention on her penchant for controversy. Unafraid to voice her unfiltered opinions, Zegler’s candidness has occasionally sparked disagreements.
In a 2023 interview as part of Variety’s Actors on Actors series, Zegler discussed handling online trolls, acknowledging that trying to remind people of her humanity despite being in the public eye doesn’t always yield the desired outcome. She noted that the criticism has only strengthened her, likening herself to solid Teflon.
Her outspokenness garnered attention, especially when she was cast as the lead in Disney’s 2024 live-action remake of “Snow White.” Zegler openly expressed her criticism of the original film, highlighting its dated portrayal of women and the central love story, which she found unsettling. This critique didn’t sit well with Disney purists and conservative audiences, leading to backlash on social media platforms like TikTok, where her comments were scrutinized and criticized.
Moreover, Zegler’s statements about fair compensation for her work in “Snow White” during a SAG-AFTRA event drew negative reactions, with some perceiving her comments as elitist and disconnected from the realities faced by many amid the pandemic. Her remark about joining “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” primarily for work during the pandemic also drew criticism for what some perceived as a lack of sensitivity toward others’ struggles during that time.
Additionally, a since-deleted video surfaced of Zegler doing a dramatic reading of Britney Spears’ tweets during a tumultuous period for the Spears family. This drew ire from fans who found it inappropriate to make light of Spears’ situation, prompting Zegler to issue an apology, emphasizing her love and support for Britney while acknowledging her lapse in judgment.
Furthermore, when Zegler wasn’t initially invited to the Oscars despite her role in “West Side Story,” she openly expressed disappointment on social media, prompting an eventual last-minute invite from the Oscars. Her subsequent remark at the event, coupled with Jacob Elordi’s joke, drew both laughter and acknowledgment of the situation’s reality.
Rachel Zegler’s candidness and unapologetic nature have at times sparked controversy, with her statements and actions drawing both support and criticism, showcasing her as a figure unafraid to voice her opinions, regardless of the ensuing reactions.