Rachel Zegler's comments hurt box office of 'Snow White'

In March 2025, Disney's live-action remake of a classic animated film, which stars Rachel Zegler as the lead, opened poorly at the box office, earning only $42.2 million upon release against an estimated budget of $230-270 million. This dismal performance was attributed to several factors, including Zegler's controversial social media posts and the decision to include politically sensitive themes. Jonah Platt, son of the film's producer, publicly criticized Zegler's 'Free Palestine' tweet, asserting that it tarnished the film's reception. The backlash snowballed, drawing significant negative attention, prompting other critics to comment on Zegler’s remarks being ill-timed and damaging during the promotional period. As the film continued its run, the box office numbers reflected ongoing public sentiment, which had been affected by the combined impact of Zegler's comments and the negative press surrounding the film before its release. Notable figures, including comedian Tim Dillon, also weighed in, suggesting that Hollywood stars should refrain from voicing personal opinions that detract from their projects, which only added to the criticism faced by Zegler during the promotional cycle. Despite Zegler’s prior successes in the industry, her current project has placed her under scrutiny, leading to discussions about the ramifications of celebrity activism on commercial viability in the entertainment industry.