- The “Snow White” controversy intensified after Jonah Platt, son of producer Marc Platt, criticized actress Rachel Zegler for bringing politics into the film’s promotion. He referenced her 2024 “Free Palestine” post and claimed it hurt the movie’s success.
- Co-star Gal Gadot, who is Israeli, has faced backlash, including death threats, for her outspoken support of Israel, adding further tension to the film’s release.
- The controversy, along with criticism of Zegler’s casting and the film’s political undertones, has been tied to its poor box office performance, with just $42 million earned in its opening weekend.
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The “Snow White” controversy continues to spark debate, especially after underperforming at the box office. Now, the producer’s son is calling out actress Rachel Zegler for dragging politics into the fairytale.
Jonah Platt — son of “Snow White” producer Marc Platt — took to Instagram to defend his father. In a now-deleted reply, he responded to Zegler supporters who called Marc Platt “creepy” for allegedly reprimanding the actress.
Jonah Platt slams Zegler’s political post
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jonah Platt didn’t hold back. He wrote that his father “had to leave his family to fly across the country to reprimand his 20-year-old employee for dragging her personal politics into the middle of promoting the movie for which she signed a multi-million dollar contract.”
The “Snow White” controversy stems from a 2024 social media post by Zegler. After sharing the movie’s trailer and thanking fans, she replied to her own post saying, “And always remember, free Palestine.” That post is still up as of March 28.
Jonah Platt, who is Jewish, wrote that “tens of thousands of people worked on that film,” and accused Zegler of hijacking the conversation “for her own immature desires.” He claimed her actions put the crew and “blue collar workers” at risk by endangering the movie’s success.
According to Variety, Zegler’s post prompted concern from a Disney executive. That concern reportedly led to Marc Platt flying to New York to speak to Zegler directly.
Co-star Gal Gadot also involved
The “Snow White” controversy doesn’t end there. Zegler’s co-star Gal Gadot, who is Israeli, reportedly receives death threats.
Gadot has been outspoken in her support for Israel during the war with Hamas. During her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on March 18, pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protesters showed up outside the event.
Controversy follows Zegler’s career
This is not the first time Rachel Zegler has faced backlash. Since being cast in “Snow White,” critics online have said she doesn’t match the fairytale’s original description of having “skin as white as snow.” Zegler is of Polish and Colombian descent.
The actress also faced identity scrutiny during her time in “West Side Story.” According to The Guardian, Disney executives repeatedly asked her to prove her Latina heritage despite her background.
Zegler’s political voice has also stirred conversation. After then-former President Donald Trump’s re-election, she posted to Instagram.
“May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace,” Zegler wrote.
She later apologized, saying she let her emotions get the best of her.
Box office blues for “Snow White”
The “Snow White” controversy is now tied directly to its commercial performance. The movie opened on March 22 and brought in just $42 million in its first weekend.
According to Deadline, it’s expected to drop 53% or more in its second weekend — a steep decline for an already struggling film.
