The 'West Side Story' actress asks Twitter users to stop tagging her in online debate about the cast of the remake after photos of a diverse group of actors playing her character's companion surfaced online.
- Jul 17, 2023
AceShowbiz - Rachel Zegler isn't interested in engaging in discussion about the political correctness of Disney's upcoming live-action "Snow White" movie. The actress has responded online after the movie faces backlash over its "woke" cast.
The 22-year-old, who is Hispanic, is cast in the title role of the Disney princess. While some people have come to her defense against criticism over the movie's cast, she has asked fans to stop tagging her in any more of the heated discourse.
"extremely appreciative of the love i feel from those defending me online, but please don't tag me in the nonsensical discourse about my casting. i really, truly do not want to see it," she tweeted on Saturday, July 15.
Sharing her throwback photos that saw her dressing as Snow White and wearing tiaras, she added, "so i leave you w these photos! i hope every child knows they can be a princess no matter what."
"Snow White" came under fire after Daily Mail shared set photos that revealed the movie replaces seven dwarfs with "magical creatures" of all sizes and genders. The pictures showed a group of diverse actors playing the titular character's companion.
Many have since accused the movie of being too "woke," with one tweeting, "#GoWokeGoBroke." Another criticized the cast, "Looks like the Woke don't care much for dwarves. And...they have a girl swarf now."
"Snow white and the seven diversity hires," a third remarked. A fourth user asked, "Where's the dwarf equity?"
Peter Dinklage previously slammed the "Snow White" remake after it cast a Latina actress for the lead while including stereotypical dwarf characters, calling the project "backward." The "Game of Thrones" alum said in January 2022, "Literally no offense to anyone, but I was a little taken aback [when] they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, but you're still telling the story of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'."
"You're progressive in one way but then you're still making that f**king backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together. What the f**k are you doing, man?" he continued. "Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I'm not loud enough."
In response to his criticism, Disney said it was taking a "different approach" to "avoid reinforcing stereotypes" from the original film. The studio said in a statement, "We are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community."
Disney's upcoming live-action "Snow White" movie also has cast Gal Gadot as the villain, Evil Queen. It is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson.
