In August 2024, Rachel Zegler, the star of Disney’s Snow White, celebrated the film’s trailer hitting over 120 million views in just 24 hours. However, things took a turn when she posted a tweet with the phrase “free Palestine,” sparking political controversy. Disney executives grew concerned about how this could affect the film’s commercial prospects.
Rising Tensions and Security Concerns
As the situation unfolded, things worsened when Gal Gadot, an Israeli actress in the film, began receiving online death threats. In response, Disney stepped in to increase her security. A source told Variety that Rachel Zegler didn’t fully grasp the impact of her actions, which led to further tension between her and the studio.
Producer’s Attempt to Resolve the Issue
To address the growing tension, producer Marc Platt flew to New York to speak with Zegler directly. However, Rachel Zegler refused to delete her controversial post. Her relationship with Disney became even more strained after she made additional political posts criticizing Donald Trump and his supporters following the U.S. presidential election.
Disney’s Effort to Regain Control
To manage the situation, Disney hired a social media specialist to monitor Zegler’s online activity. Despite these efforts, Snow White underperformed at the box office, earning only $87 million globally, far below the expectations for a $270 million production. This failure mirrored broader challenges Disney has faced with recent live-action remakes.
Gadot Speaks Out on Online Hostility
Reflecting on the growing online hostility, Gadot shared her thoughts with Variety, saying, “There is a challenge for people to speak… so much hate going on and so many bots.”
