Ariana DeBose faces backlash for resharing criticism of Rachel Zegler

In the United States, Ariana DeBose, known for her role in West Side Story, reshared a post on Instagram that included a quote criticizing her co-star, Rachel Zegler. The now-deleted post, which DeBose shared on a Monday, stated, 'Narcissism is not something to be coddled or encouraged.' This quote originally came from Jonah Platt, the son of Snow White's producer, Marc Platt, and it targeted Zegler directly for the film's poor box office performance. Initial reports indicated that Zegler's strong opinions regarding the film's representation and her past social media activities had been viewed unfavorably by some industry figures, contributing to the backlash against her. The movie, a remake of Disney's Snow White, had grossed only $43 million in its opening weekend against a $270 million production budget, stirring controversy and discussion around its expectations and Zegler's role in its marketing. DeBose expressed her regret for not researching the quote’s context before sharing it, as she remarked, 'I have no intention of inserting myself into a news cycle.' Her post led to confusion and backlash, as it linked her with Platt's disparaging remarks about Zegler. The relationship between the two actors was already strained due to Zegler’s outspoken nature, particularly regarding political issues like the ongoing conflict in Palestine, which some feel affected their promotional efforts for the film. After receiving comments pointing out the nature of the quote that she shared, DeBose acknowledged the impact of her actions and promised to 'verify the sources of quotes' before sharing again. This incident adds to the complicated narrative surrounding Snow White's casting decisions. Zegler's advocate for modernizing fairy tales has sparked considerable debate, especially concerning her interpretation and structural changes to character dynamics. The tumultuous relationship surrounding promotional activities for Snow White highlights tensions within the film industry regarding social media's influence and the responsibilities of actors. Many see the criticism of Zegler's personal beliefs as detrimental to the collective efforts of those who worked on the film, with Jonah Platt being particularly vocal about the consequences of Zegler's online presence. His claims that her social media posts and 'personal politics' hurt the project’s box office have drawn ire from sections of the audience who believe artistry should allow for personal expression. Ultimately, this situation reflects the ongoing challenges faced by actors in balancing personal beliefs with the expectations of their roles in a cinematic landscape evolving with the times.