Rachel Zegler apologizes for post-election comments about Trump after Megyn Kelly called on Disney to fire her

Upper line

Actress Rachel Zegler, who plays Snow White in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation, apologized Thursday for comments she made after Donald Trump was named president-elect, saying she “let (her) emotions get the best of ” her — after conservative media personality Megyn Kelly called for Disney to fire Zegler over them.

Key facts

Get Forbes Breaking News text alerts: We’re launching text messages so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. SMS “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or register here.

What have Rachel Zegler’s other controversies been?

Zegler has been involved in a number of other controversies. Last year, she was criticized by Kelly and other right-wing commentators after a interview of hers resurfaced, saying the new film would be a modern depiction that doesn’t show Snow White “being saved by the prince.” Zegler said her character would dream of “becoming the leader she knows she can be” rather than “dreaming of true love.” Conservative pundit Ben Shapiro criticized Zegler’s efforts to make the film a “girl boss” story, Kelly said the film had been “radicalized to check every box they can” and criticized Disney for casting Zegler, who is Hispanic, when the story is about about a princess with “fur”. as white as snow.” Zegler was also criticized for calling the original “Snow White,” a “weird,” “extremely dated” story that focuses “on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her.” Prior to the “Snow White” controversies, Zegler made headlines for saying that press on “West Side Story” — in which she co-starred with Ansel Elgort — was “a real gut punch” because she was constantly asked about Elgort’s alleged sexual assault.

Key

When she told Disney they were remaking “Snow White” — which is set to hit theaters next March — Kelly pointed out that they fired Gina Carano “for far less than this nonsense.” Carano alleged that Disney and Lucasfilm fired her in 2021 from “The Mandalorian” after she posted things on X, formerly known as Twitter, that did not “conform to the acceptable narrative of the time.” Carano announced a lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm funded in part by billionaire – and now Trump supporter – Elon Musk and X, who said in statement at the time, it was “proud to provide financial support to Gina Carano’s lawsuit, allowing her to seek vindication of her freedom of expression at X and the ability to work without bullying, harassment or discrimination.”

What to look for

Disney’s response. The company has been silent on Zegler’s comments as of early Friday afternoon, and Forbes reached out to the company for comment.

Key background

Zegler was one of a number of celebrities who reacted negatively in the days following Trump’s victory on Tuesday. Billie Eilish called Trump’s victory “a war on women,” actresses Hilary Duff and Jessica Alba shared a message saying women are “the heartbeat of progress,” and NBA star LeBron James posted a photo with his daughter with a promise to “protect you .” Zegler, 23, rose to fame after starring in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” reboot. She went on to play roles in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” and the “Hunger Games” spinoff, “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.”

Further reading

ForbesElon Musk Helps Actress Gina Carano Sue ‘Free Speech’ After ‘Mandalorian’ FiringBy Molly Bohannon
ForbesDifferent ‘Snow White’ Remake Is the Latest Movie to Rage the Anti-‘Woke’ CrowdBy Conor MurrayForbesCelebrities react to Trump’s win: Roseanne Barr says she would work for Trump, Billie Eilish says he ‘hates women’By Mary Whitfill Roeloffs