Actor Rachel Zegler has called for a ceasefire in Gaza—and people are worried that this could make for an awkward Snow White press tour.
The live-action remake of the classic 1937 animated movie, which is set to be released by Disney in 2025, stars Zegler as the titular character and Israeli actor Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. Both women are no strangers to sharing their opinions online and their social media posts have shown that they have very different thoughts on the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Newsweek contacted Disney and representatives for Zegler and Gadot for comment via email Monday.
Gadot has been vocal in her support for Israel after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, which they said was retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians. In response, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, followed by extensive ground operations. At least 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, while more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed, with many more injured and over 1.5 million internally displaced in Gaza, according to the Associated Press.
The Wonder Woman actor has become a divisive figure in Hollywood in recent years because of her public support of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in which she served as a fitness instructor. Gadot has dedicated her social media accounts to supporting the people of her native country and on October 7 she posted to her Instagram: “I stand with Israel you should too. The world cannot sit on the fence when these horrific acts of terror are happening!”
Gadot also helped facilitate an LA screening of a film showing the October 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas militants, which was marred by a mass brawl outside the venue.
In contrast, Zegler shared a post to her Instagram story on January 28 urging people to ask their representatives to support a ceasefire. She shared a donation link to emergency relief for Gaza and wrote: “have you donated today? have you called your government leaders to put pressure on world leaders to call for a ceasefire? your activism should go beyond your social media.”
This isn’t the first time that the The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes actor has made her opinion on the situation in the Middle East known. In 2021 Zegler posted to X, formerly Twitter, writing: “it will always be free palestine.”
Now people online are pointing out that the two women’s differing views could make for an awkward press junket for their upcoming movie together.
“snow white press tour with gal gadot is gonna be interesting,” one person wrote.
“this is how the snow white press tour is gonna go,” someone else posted alongside a GIF of two men awkwardly staring at each other.
A third added: “Oh that Snow White movie gonna be hella awkward during press junket.”
Others took the opportunity to throw their support behind Zegler while also criticizing Gadot.
“She truly is the Snow White to Gal Gadot’s EVIL (Zionist) Queen,” one X user posted.
“she’s been pro palestine for many years now. that’s MY lucy gray baird. rachel zegler they could never make me hate you,” said another.
“That Snow White press tour is going to be VERY awkward with Genocide Barbie but good she’s speaking for what’s right. I don’t see how you can be in a Hunger Games movie and be pro-Isr**l in this conflict,” a third person commented.
“So many fans bullied this poor girl for her role as Snow White when Gal Gadot is supporting the genocide of Palestinians. Meanwhile, Rachel Zegler shows her support for Palestine. At least, I would rather spend with Rachel than being friends with a Zionist Evil Queen,” someone else wrote, referencing the fact that Zegler has frequently been the target of online trolls taking aim at her outspoken views.
While there is now a lot of support for Zegler online, different X users think she is being hypocritical considering she is starring in Snow White alongside Gadot in the first place. Some even think that her post is too little too late.
“Its insane and so awkward to me that she apparently supports Palestine for a while now, but she is acting alongside a known Zionist actress,” one person said.
“You’re literally sharing a movie with Gal Gadot,” another person wrote alongside a slew of cry-laughing emojis.
A third added: “i love how she waited until the press for the hunger games ended and all her deals were finalised and guaranteed to sign the ceasefire letter, its not like she willingly worked w and befriended gal gadot or anything. anyways better late than never ig [I guess]!”
The new Snow White movie hasn’t been without controversy as Disney previously sparked backlash after its decision to use CGI to recreate the seven dwarfs.
Instead of hiring individual actors with dwarfism for the roles, Disney cast Martin Klebba to play all seven parts, using CGI for scenes with the dwarfs together. The decision led to uproar online, with social media users suggesting the film should be “canceled.”
