Disney’s live-action Snow White remake is shaping up to be less of a fairy tale and more of a PR nightmare, as alleged tensions between its two leading stars—pro-Palestine Snow White Rachel Zegler and pro-Israel Evil Queen aka Gal Gadot—have reportedly put the studio in a tight spot.
According to multiple sources, Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot “have nothing in common,” with their political ideologies reportedly creating a clear rift. Zegler, a vocal supporter of Palestine, has used her platform to condemn violence against children in Gaza, while Gadot, a former member of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), has publicly supported Israel and advocated for the release of Israeli hostages.
“Gal’s attitude is that you don’t criticize and cause drama for a project you signed on to do. She just doesn’t get it,” an insider revealed. Another source added, “Gal is annoyed by the movie drama… She was fine with Rachel, but they are not friends.”
The alleged tension has reportedly spilled over into the film’s promotional campaign, forcing Disney to tread carefully.
In what appears to be a strategic move to avoid politically charged questions, Disney opted for a “celebratory, family-friendly” premiere in Los Angeles on March 15—without traditional red-carpet press access.
While the studio claims this decision aligns with the film’s tone and target audience, industry insiders see it as a way to sidestep the growing controversy.
This isn’t the first time a studio has taken such measures. Warner Bros. employed a similar strategy for The Flash amid lead actor Ezra Miller’s legal troubles. However, in this case, Zegler’s “crime” is speaking out about Palestine while starring opposite an Israeli superstar like Gadot.
Both actresses have faced their share of online criticism. Gadot’s social media posts supporting Israel have sparked backlash, with some accusing her of promoting Israeli policies. A recent rumour even alleged that Gal Gadot refused to present the Best Documentary award at the Oscars to a Palestinian film—a claim her team has denied, stating she was never asked.
Meanwhile, Rachel Zegler has continued to voice her solidarity with Palestinians, stating, “I can’t watch children die.” Critics have accused her of politicizing a children’s film, but her supporters argue she’s one of the few Hollywood voices willing to speak out against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement has also weighed in, calling for a boycott of the film due to Gadot’s involvement. In a statement, BDS labeled Gadot “a proud supporter of Israel’s genocidal war,” accusing Hollywood of “whitewashing and promoting Israeli apartheid.”
Despite the off-screen drama, Snow White is still tracking well for its domestic release, with projections estimating an opening weekend between $50 million and $56 million. Optimists are comparing its potential to 2015’s Cinderella, which debuted at $67 million.
However, the film’s global promotional plans appear fractured. Instead of a traditional UK premiere, Disney is hosting a musical performance by Zegler in Segovia, Spain, before flying her back to Los Angeles for the main event.
While Zegler and Gadot have made select appearances together—such as at Disney’s D23 Expo in 2022 and more recently presenting at the Oscars—their strained dynamic is hard to ignore.
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