TheQuartering [10/27/2023]
Disney’s live action “Snow White” film star Rachel Zegler has recently spoken out on some of the backlash she has received for her “outspokenness” throughout her Hollywood career.
In a quote she provided The Wrap for her feature in its 2023 “Latino Power List,” the actress of Colombian and Polish descent acknowledged “backlash” she has gotten for her “outspokenness.” The statement follow months of backlash the actress received for her comments on how outdated the original animated “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” was.
Not apologizing for courting any controversy, Zegler’s statement indicated that she believes the pushback and criticism she has received are what comes with her being “fearless and loud” to earn her place in Hollywood.
She began by telling the outlet, “It’s an honor to be recognized in a way that both celebrates our heritage and lifts up the contributions we all make to this industry, where it can be particularly hard for us to be seen and heard in a meaningful way.”
The Wrap’s blurb on the Latina actress mentioned that her role in the upcoming “Snow White” reboot has “drawn its fair share of controversy,” though it added, “to see a new generation of young girls see a Latina actress in the role will be revolutionary.”
Zegler commented on being this role model in the face of the heat she has taken, stating, “To young Latino performers coming up in the industry, I would tell them to know their worth, and to make sure they’re loud about having seats at the tables they deserve to be at.”
“I have learned the hard way that we have to be fearless and loud in order to be heard, and to prepare for the backlash that occasionally comes with that outspokenness,” she added.
A rep for Zegler told Fox News Digital that the actress statement represented “her thoughts on the industry in general,” adding that “Snow White was not mentioned in her quotes.”
Zegler and her upcoming Snow White reboot have been the center of controversy for months now after it was revealed that the new film would replace some of the classic elements of the original 1937 animated film with more progressive ones.
Over the summer, new set photos from the film’s production appeared to confirm that Disney decided to replace the seven dwarves with seven “magical creatures” of various sizes, races and genders.
The move followed public criticism of the production by “Game of Thrones” actor Peter Dinklage.
During a podcast last year, Dinklage – who has dwarfism – claimed, “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.’ Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me.”
He added, “You’re progressive in one way, but then you’re still making that f—ing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f— are you doing, man?”
Zegler herself incited public anger when recent videos of her ridiculing the seemingly anti-feminist themes of the old Snow White went viral on social media this summer.