In a new profile with Variety, actor Rachel Zegler reveals that a new backstory has been crafted for her turn as Snow White in the upcoming Disney live action remake — specifically, how Snow White got her iconic name.
New Details From Rachel Zegler
When Zegler was initially cast as the titular character in 2021, the internet exploded, with many online “promising to boycott the film due to the ‘woke’ casting.” Zegler’s heritage is Colombian, though the princess is described in the 1937 animated film as having “hair as black as ebony and skin as white as snow.”
To that, Zegler shares that the upcoming film will forge its own origin story for Snow White’s name.
It fell back to another version of ‘Snow White’ that was told in history, where she survived a snowstorm that occurred when she was a baby. And so the king and queen decided to name her Snow White to remind her of her resilience. One of the core points in our film for any young woman or young person is remembering how strong you actually are.
Rachel Zegler in an interview with Variety
Brandy, a musician and actor who reinvented Cinderella in the ABC 1997 TV musical movie starring Whitney Houston, had a few words to share on the importance of making the character your own and taking on the negativity surrounding her casting.
I know Rachel will be absolutely incredible in this role. You’re not taking on this role to fit the mold of the critics. You’re doing this for every little Colombian girl who has yet to see themselves in a role like a Disney princess. You’re doing this for the little girl that you once were, who grew up without that representation of her Colombian culture. You are showing her that anything is possible for someone who looks like her, and that is the most important job in the world.
Brandy, in an email to Variety
Zegler remembers the film fondly from childhood, never questioning that while Cinderella could look one way in the animated film, Brandy was also Cinderella:
I grew up in a house where that was Cinderella. Obviously, we watched the cartoon. But a child’s mind is the most amazing thing, where it’s just like, ‘OK, that’s Cinderella.’ But the blond-haired, blue-eyed, blue-dress Cinderella from the 1950s cartoon is also Cinderella. Also, Hillary Duff is Cinderella in ‘A Cinderella Story.’ I was able to comprehend those things at a young age.
Rachel Zegler
She also shares that, despite what was initially thought online the film will explore Snow White’s romance storyline with her prince, though emphasizes that “[women] can do everything.”
I would never want to box someone in and say, ‘If you want love, then you can’t work.’ Or ‘If you want to work, then you can’t have a family.’ It’s not true. It’s never been true. It can be very upsetting when things get taken out of context or jokes don’t land.
The love story is very integral. A lot of people wrote that we weren’t doing [that storyline] anymore — we were always doing that; it just wasn’t what we were tlaking about on that day.
Rachel Zegler
Disney’s live action remake of “Snow White” is set to release theatrically next spring, on March 21, 2025. The film wrapped production earlier this summer. Golden Globe winner Zegler plays the titular role, with the Evil Queen played by Gal Gadot.
Watch the teaser trailer:
Source: Variety
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