Rachel Zegler’s political outspokenness stirs the pot, as Jonah Platt points the finger at her for Snow White’s box office struggles.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. But in the world of Hollywood, it seems this ounce came far too late. If you ask Jonah Platt (son of the film’s producer, Marc Platt), Rachel Zegler’s personal politics may have single-handedly transformed the much-anticipated Snow White remake from a fairy tale dream into a cautionary tale.

A tale of narcissism and misplaced activism, Zegler’s vocal stance on politics during the film’s promotion, particularly her “Free Palestine” post, allegedly jeopardized not only her career but also the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working colleagues.

Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Disney’s Snow White | Credits: Disney

Platt called her actions “immature” and “narcissistic,” and he didn’t stop there. With the Snow White remake stumbling at the box office, making only $92 million on its $270 million budget, it’s no wonder he is voicing his frustration.

Rachel Zegler: Narcissist or victim of a media storm? Jonah Platt’s rant raises a firestorm

Rachel Zegler, known for her role as the iconic princess in Disney’s live-action Snow White remake, has found herself at the center of a media storm that goes far beyond her on-screen performance.

The movie, a re-imagining of Disney’s 1937 classic, should have been a huge success. After all, their remakes are almost always a cash cow, right? Yet, Snow White grossed a measly $87.3 million in its opening weekend—less than the studio had hoped for. Was it just bad timing, or did Zegler’s outspoken politics play a role?

Disney’s Snow White | Credits: Disney

Jonah Platt, son of the film’s producer Marc Platt, seemed to believe the latter. After an incident where Zegler’s controversial “Free Palestine” post caught the attention of Disney executives, Platt couldn’t help but air his grievances on social media (via THR).

In a now-deleted Instagram response, he accused Zegler of “dragging her personal politics” into the movie’s promotional cycle and jeopardizing the careers of the tens of thousands of people who worked tirelessly on the film. “This is called adult responsibility and accountability,” Platt said, adding:

Her actions clearly hurt the film’s box office.

The actress had signed a multi-million dollar contract to promote the movie, and according to Platt, she failed to keep the focus where it belonged—on the film. Instead, she turned the spotlight on herself, using the platform to further her own agenda. He further claimed:

Narcissism is not something to be coddled or encouraged.

He is clearly pointing at Zegler’s behavior as a contributing factor to the film’s poor reception.

Jonah Platt slams Rachel Zegler for her political stance: Did her views jeopardize Snow White’s success?

Jonah Platt’s accusations weren’t only about the political opinions Rachel Zegler shared, but about the timing of those opinions. In particular, his father, Marc Platt, reportedly had to fly to New York to personally meet the actress after she posted a “Free Palestine” message.

According to the Variety report, this was a failed attempt to get Zegler to remove the “F*ck Donald Trump” and “May Trump supporters … never know peace” post—an effort that added more fuel to the fire.

Platt, however, believed his father’s actions were justified. He said in his Instagram deleted post:

Tens of thousands of people worked on that film, and she hijacked the conversation for her own immature desires. All the colleagues and blue-collar workers who depend on that movie to be successful were put at risk.

Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Disney’s Snow White | Credits: Disney

Recently, she stirred up social media by vocalizing her strong support for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. In a post that left little room for interpretation, Zegler urged her followers to vote for Harris, stating:

Vote for Kamala Harris. And it’s actually non-negotiable. Our rights are on the line, folks. Our reproductive rights. And if you disagree with this sentiment, you can hit the unfollow button. I don’t need your business.

Zegler’s constant stream of political commentary was a bold, albeit risky, move. But sometimes, personal beliefs shouldn’t come at the cost of professional responsibility. And, as Jonah Platt rightly pointed out, the film industry is about collaboration, not about one person making it all about themselves.

Snow White is available in theaters.