Rachel Zegler’s Career Crisis: Has She Lost Everything, or Is Hollywood’s Next Star Still Rising?
Rachel Zegler, once hailed as a rising star after her Golden Globe-winning debut in West Side Story, is at the center of a dramatic narrative: she’s allegedly “lost everything” as a mysterious “successor” has “taken over the whole game.” This claim, fueled by social media speculation and tabloid headlines, paints a dire picture of a young actress whose career has collapsed amid the fallout from Disney’s Snow White remake. But how much truth lies behind this sensational story? This article examines Zegler’s recent challenges, the Snow White controversy, the absence of a clear successor, and her ongoing projects, offering a balanced perspective on whether her star has truly faded or if Hollywood’s competitive landscape is simply testing her resilience.
The Snow White Debacle: A Perfect Storm
Zegler’s role as Snow White in Disney’s live-action remake, released in March 2025, was meant to cement her as a leading lady. Instead, the film became a lightning rod for controversy, grossing a disappointing $150 million worldwide against a $200 million budget and incurring an estimated $115 million loss after ancillaries. The film’s failure was compounded by a re-release that earned a pitiful $252 per screen across 1,000 US cinemas, marking it as one of Disney’s biggest flops. Several factors contributed to this disaster, with Zegler often unfairly shouldered with the blame.
From the outset, Zegler’s casting sparked debate. Critics questioned her suitability as Snow White, a character traditionally described as having “skin as white as snow,” given Zegler’s Colombian-Polish descent. This led to racist backlash, with trolls targeting her ethnicity and appearance, some arguing she didn’t match the fairy tale’s aesthetic. Zegler’s comments at the 2022 D23 Expo, where she called the 1937 animated film’s love story “outdated” and emphasized a more empowered Snow White, further alienated traditionalists. She later clarified her intent was to modernize the character, but the damage was done, with figures like Megyn Kelly labeling her remarks “disrespectful” and urging a boycott.
Zegler’s social media activity intensified the backlash. In August 2024, she posted “and always, free Palestine” alongside Snow White promotional content, prompting producer Marc Platt to reportedly fly to New York to urge restraint. Her refusal to delete the post, followed by a November 2024 Instagram outburst—“f*** Donald Trump” and a jab at his supporters—drew accusations of politicizing the film. These incidents, combined with a rumored feud with co-star Gal Gadot over their differing views on Israel, painted Zegler as a polarizing figure. Social media posts on X, like @Pro__Trading’s on March 27, 2025, branded her “box office poison,” predicting major studios would avoid her.‽post:0
The film itself faced scrutiny for production choices, such as using CGI dwarfs instead of actors with dwarfism, which sparked ableism accusations. Critics also panned the narrative shift from romance to leadership, with podcast host Zack Peter arguing Disney strayed too far from the classic formula. Despite these issues, Zegler’s performance was a bright spot, with outlets like Yahoo praising her “sublime” singing and screen presence, suggesting she delivered despite the film’s flaws. Yet, the narrative of Zegler as the flop’s scapegoat persisted, with Jonah Platt, son of producer Marc Platt, publicly slamming her as “narcissistic” in a now-deleted post, a sentiment echoed by some fans but retracted by Zegler’s West Side Story co-star Ariana DeBose after she inadvertently shared it. ‽web:20,14,18,19
“Loses Everything”: A Career in Peril?
The claim that Zegler “lost everything” exaggerates her situation. The Snow White fallout has undeniably dented her reputation, with reports suggesting Disney is reevaluating its live-action remakes and shelving projects like a Tangled adaptation. X posts, such as @Nelbon888’s on May 21, 2025, falsely claimed Zegler’s “entire team” quit, amplifying perceptions of collapse. Another post by @ThePatricIsReal on May 20, 2025, noted she “takes the most hits,” reflecting sympathy for her disproportionate blame. However, Zegler’s career is far from over. ‽post:6,7
Since Snow White, Zegler has secured new roles, signaling resilience. In April 2025, she was cast opposite Marisa Tomei in the indie dramedy She Gets It From Me, playing a woman searching for her ex-punk rocker birth mother. The film, shopped at Cannes, marks a pivot to smaller projects, a move some compare to Melissa Barrera’s post-Scream indie phase after similar backlash. Zegler is also set to star as Eva Perón in a June 2025 London Palladium revival of Evita, though ticket sales are reportedly sluggish, with a May 13, 2025, Daily Mail article noting her excitement despite the challenge. Her performance in the 2024 horror-comedy Y2K, streaming on Max, earned praise for subverting the “popular girl” trope, further showcasing her versatility. ‽web:5,6,9,10
Zegler’s earlier successes bolster her prospects. Her breakout in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021) earned a Golden Globe, and her role as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) helped the film gross $348 million worldwide. She also appeared in Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), proving her range across genres. Her recent Instagram Stories, congratulating Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping cast member Peak for carrying the Baird family legacy, show her continued connection to the franchise, even if she’s unlikely to reprise her role. These projects and her vocal talent—evident in four musical films since 2021—suggest Zegler remains a viable talent, not a has-been. ‽web:5,8,12
The “Successor” Myth: Who’s Taking Over?
The claim of a “successor” instantly taking over “the whole game” is vague and unsupported. No specific actress has been credibly linked to replacing Zegler in Hollywood’s hierarchy. An X post by @vinhlegacy on May 1, 2025, juxtaposed Zegler’s “fall” with Florence Pugh’s “rise,” citing Pugh’s acclaimed roles in Dune: Part Two and We Live in Time. However, Pugh, 29, operates in a different lane, with an established career predating Zegler’s debut, making her an unlikely “successor.” Other young actresses, like Anya Taylor-Joy or Zendaya, are thriving but not positioned as direct replacements. The “successor” narrative seems to reflect Hollywood’s competitive nature, where one star’s stumble fuels speculation about the next big thing, rather than a concrete handover. ‽post:3
The absence of a named successor underscores the claim’s sensationalism. Hollywood’s talent pool is vast, and Zegler’s niche—musical theater-trained, Latina, early 20s—remains underserved, giving her a unique edge. While Snow White’s failure may limit her blockbuster opportunities, her indie and stage roles suggest a pivot, not erasure. The industry’s history of comeback stories, like Robert Downey Jr.’s post-scandal resurgence, shows that talent and strategic choices can overcome setbacks.
Hollywood’s Shifting Dynamics
Zegler’s challenges reflect broader trends in Hollywood. The Snow White flop has intensified scrutiny of Disney’s live-action remakes, with fans and critics questioning their necessity after hits like The Little Mermaid (2023) but flops like Mufasa: The Lion King. Zegler’s outspokenness, particularly on political issues, mirrors a generational shift where young stars like Barrera or Ayo Edebiri use platforms to express views, often clashing with studios’ desire for neutrality. X posts, like @dmc_dmcc’s on March 26, 2025, suggest Disney and media outlets scapegoated Zegler to deflect from the film’s broader issues, a tactic seen in other high-profile flops. ‽post:4
The backlash against Zegler also highlights cultural divides. Her “free Palestine” post and Trump criticism alienated conservative audiences, with Israeli consul Ofir Akunis publicly slamming her. Yet, she’s garnered support from peers like Helen Mirren and Ariana Grande, who privately reached out, and fans on X defending her against racist trolls. This polarization reflects Hollywood’s struggle to navigate social media’s amplifying effect, where a single post can derail a project. Zegler’s case parallels Halle Bailey’s Little Mermaid backlash, where talent ultimately outshone controversy. ‽web:16,17,21,24
Critical Analysis: Exaggeration or Endgame?
The “loses everything” narrative is hyperbolic. Zegler’s Snow White role was a setback, not a career-ender. The film’s failure stemmed from multiple factors—casting debates, production missteps, and a polarized audience—not just Zegler’s actions. Her social media missteps, while poorly timed, reflect a young actress navigating fame without the “training” Disney reportedly failed to provide. The “successor” claim lacks substance, as no single actress has usurped her place, and her new projects show she’s far from blacklisted. X posts like @Draculordx’s on May 17, 2025, falsely claiming Zegler was forcibly removed from Evita rehearsals, illustrate how misinformation fuels the narrative, but no credible evidence supports such drama. ‽web:14post:5
Zegler’s talent remains her strongest asset. Critics universally praise her singing and screen presence, and her pivot to indie films and theater suggests adaptability. The industry’s bias against outspoken women, especially women of color, may pose challenges, but Zegler’s youth (23) and track record position her for recovery. Disney’s reported frustration, per a March 25, 2025, Variety report, centers on her social media, not her performance, indicating studios may hesitate but not abandon her. ‽web:21
Looking Ahead
Zegler’s next steps will define her trajectory. She Gets It From Me offers a chance to showcase dramatic range alongside Tomei, while Evita tests her stage prowess. A successful London run could reframe her as a theater star, less tethered to Hollywood’s blockbuster machine. She may also benefit from a strategic pause, refining her public persona to balance authenticity with diplomacy, as peers like Zendaya have done. Hollywood’s cyclical nature favors comebacks, and Zegler’s vocal talent and fanbase—evident in supportive X posts—provide a foundation.
The “successor” narrative may persist as new stars emerge, but Zegler’s unique profile ensures she’s not easily replaced. Disney’s loss could be indie cinema’s gain, with smaller projects offering creative freedom. The Snow White saga, while bruising, is a chapter, not the story’s end.
Conclusion
The claim that Rachel Zegler “lost everything” as a successor took over is a sensationalized distortion. The Snow White flop, driven by casting backlash, production choices, and Zegler’s controversial comments, hurt her standing, but her new roles in She Gets It From Me and Evita prove she’s still in the game. No “successor” has emerged to claim her spot, and the narrative thrives on misinformation, like unverified X claims of team desertions or Evita chaos. Zegler’s talent, resilience, and youth position her for a comeback, even as Hollywood’s polarized landscape tests her. The buzz around her fall is loud, but her story is far from over—and that’s what’s keeping fans and critics talking.
