Rachel Zegler, the embattled star of Disney’s live-action Snow White, has once again found herself at the epicenter of controversy following a viral claim by conservative commentator Brett Cooper that Disney is seeking a “substitute” for the 23-year-old actress due to her role in the film’s $115 million box office disaster. In a shocking and fiery response, Zegler took to social media in April 2025 to slam Cooper and her critics, defending her career and accusing detractors of fueling a “toxic” narrative. The clash, amplified by heated exchanges on platforms like X, has reignited debates about Zegler’s tenure with Disney, the fallout from Snow White’s failure, and the broader cultural wars surrounding Hollywood’s casting and storytelling choices. This 1500-word article explores the origins of Cooper’s claim, Zegler’s explosive rebuttal, and why this confrontation has captivated audiences and industry insiders alike.

The Spark: Brett Cooper’s Disney Substitute Claim

On April 20, 2025, Brett Cooper, a 23-year-old YouTuber and host for The Daily Wire, posted a video titled “Disney’s DESPERATE Move: Replacing Rachel Zegler After Snow White FLOP?” that quickly went viral, amassing over 2 million views. In the video, Cooper claimed that Disney insiders were “scrambling” to find a “substitute” for Zegler in future projects, citing her controversial comments about the 1937 Snow White film, her pro-Palestine activism, and her anti-Trump social media posts as reasons for the studio’s alleged pivot. Cooper pointed to Snow White’s dismal $194.9 million global gross against a $270 million budget, alleging that Zegler’s “woke” persona alienated audiences and tanked the film. She speculated that Disney might sideline Zegler for a “less divisive” actress in upcoming remakes, naming Hailee Steinfeld as a potential replacement for projects like Tangled.

Cooper’s claims, while unconfirmed by Disney, were fueled by industry reports of the studio’s frustration with Zegler. A Variety article from March 2025 detailed how producer Marc Platt flew to New York to address Zegler’s “free Palestine” tweet, which garnered 8.8 million views and prompted death threats against co-star Gal Gadot, requiring Disney to bolster security. Jonah Platt, Marc’s son, publicly criticized Zegler’s “narcissistic” social media behavior, accusing her of dragging politics into the film’s promotion. Cooper’s video amplified these sentiments, framing Zegler as a liability whose outspokenness cost Disney dearly. Posts on X echoed this, with one user stating, “Brett Cooper spilling the tea on Disney wanting a Rachel Zegler substitute is GOLD. Snow White was a disaster because of her.”

Zegler’s Shocking Response: A Social Media Firestorm

Rachel Zegler did not take Cooper’s claims lying down. On April 21, 2025, she posted a series of fiery messages on Instagram and X, directly addressing Cooper and her critics. “I’m done with the lies and the toxicity,” Zegler wrote. “Brett Cooper doesn’t know me or my work. She’s profiting off tearing down a 23-year-old Latina trying to do her job. Disney hasn’t ‘replaced’ me—I’m booked for Evita and prouder than ever. Stop weaponizing my name for your agenda.” Zegler also defended her Snow White performance, citing positive reviews that praised her “luminous” singing and charm, and accused detractors of “review-bombing” the film out of bias. She concluded, “I’m not going anywhere, so get used to it.”

Zegler’s response, which garnered over 5 million views on X, was both defiant and emotional, referencing the racist and misogynistic harassment she’s faced since her 2021 casting as Snow White. She highlighted support from peers like Melissa Barrera, who was fired from Scream 7 for pro-Palestine posts and called Zegler “cool as hell” for her integrity. Zegler also addressed the broader narrative, writing, “The ‘woke’ label is just a dog whistle for hating women of color who speak their truth.” Her posts sparked a polarized reaction, with supporters rallying under #StandWithRachel and critics doubling down, accusing her of playing the victim. One X post read, “Rachel Zegler firing back at Brett Cooper just proves she can’t handle criticism. Disney’s right to move on.”

The Snow White Fallout: A Perfect Storm of Controversy

The Snow White remake, released on March 21, 2025, is central to this drama. The film’s $115 million loss, driven by a $43 million opening weekend and a 66% second-weekend drop, marked a historic low for Disney’s live-action remakes. Zegler’s pre-release comments—calling the 1937 original “dated” and its prince a “stalker”—alienated fans who cherished the classic, while her refusal to sing “Someday My Prince Will Come” was seen as dismissive. Her political posts, including a pro-Palestine tweet and an anti-Trump Instagram rant post-2024 election, further polarized audiences, with boycotts from both pro-Israel and conservative viewers. The decision to use CGI dwarfs, prompted by Peter Dinklage’s critique, also drew backlash from little people like Jason Acuna, who felt it robbed them of roles.

Disney’s response exacerbated the situation. The studio scaled back the film’s premiere to avoid press scrutiny over Zegler and Gadot’s conflicting politics, and hired a “social media guru” to vet Zegler’s posts, a move she reportedly resented. Insiders, per Variety, blamed Zegler for the film’s failure, a narrative Cooper’s video amplified by suggesting Disney was “done” with her. However, reports confirm Zegler was not fired, completing her promotional duties through the March 15, 2025, premiere. The Family Guy parody in April 2025, mocking Zegler as “Woke-chel” and Snow White’s flop, added to her woes, with her emotional breakdown over that episode foreshadowing her fiery response to Cooper.

The Cooper-Zegler Clash: A Cultural Flashpoint

Brett Cooper’s claim, while speculative, tapped into a broader backlash against Zegler, who has become a lightning rod in Hollywood’s culture wars. Cooper, known for her conservative commentary on YouTube and The Daily Wire, framed Zegler as emblematic of “woke” Hollywood, accusing her of alienating Disney’s core audience with progressive activism. Her suggestion of a “substitute” resonated with fans frustrated by Snow White’s failure, with X posts speculating about actresses like Sydney Sweeney or Florence Pugh taking Zegler’s place. Cooper’s video also cited Disney’s reported pause on remakes like Tangled, suggesting Zegler’s controversy prompted a strategic “anti-woke” shift.

Zegler’s rebuttal, however, flipped the narrative, positioning Cooper as a profiteer exploiting her struggles for clicks. Supporters argue that Zegler, like Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid) and Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars), is a victim of racist and sexist trolling, with her Latina heritage and outspokenness making her a target. Film critic Kelechi Ehenulo called her a “culture wars” casualty, noting that actors of color often face disproportionate backlash. Zegler’s defiance—refusing to delete her pro-Palestine tweet despite Disney’s pressure—has earned praise from peers like Barrera, who see her as a symbol of integrity. Yet, critics like Sean Ono Lennon, who labeled her a “disconnected brat,” argue her behavior justified the backlash.

The Industry Context: Disney’s Dilemma and Zegler’s Future

Disney’s handling of Zegler has drawn scrutiny. The studio’s failure to defend her against trolls, as noted by Vulture, contrasts with its aggressive promotion of stars like Emma Watson (Beauty and the Beast). Insiders’ attempts to scapegoat Zegler, per Vanity Fair, have backfired, turning her into an “icon” for some while alienating others. The Snow White flop has prompted Disney to rethink its remake strategy, with new executive David Greenbaum favoring original stories over retreads. Reports of Zegler being dropped from projects like Paddington in Peru or Pirates of the Caribbean are unconfirmed, but her booking for Evita on London’s West End in June 2025 suggests she’s pivoting to theater, a safer space to rebuild her image.

The Family Guy and South Park parodies, which mocked Zegler’s Snow White role, highlight the cultural pile-on she faces. Her $100 million lawsuit against South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, filed in April 2025, is ongoing, but legal experts doubt its success due to parody’s First Amendment protections. The Family Guy episode, which prompted her breakdown, has fueled speculation about further legal action, though Zegler’s response to Cooper focused on public rebuttal rather than litigation. Her career, battered by four box office flops (West Side Story, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Y2K, Snow White), hinges on Evita and potential future roles, with critics still praising her “sublime” talent.

Fan and Online Reactions

The Zegler-Cooper clash has dominated X, with posts reflecting deep divides. Critics of Zegler, emboldened by Cooper’s video, argue she “sabotaged” Snow White with her “woke outbursts,” with one user writing, “Brett Cooper’s right—Disney needs a new face. Rachel’s done.” Supporters, however, rally behind Zegler, citing her resilience against harassment. “Rachel Zegler clapping back at Brett Cooper is everything,” one X post read. “She’s 23, facing racist trolls, and still standing tall.” Hashtags like #ProtectRachel and #BrettCooperHate trend alongside memes mocking both sides, from Zegler crying to Cooper’s smirking thumbnail. The debate mirrors broader Hollywood controversies, like Melissa Barrera’s Scream 7 firing, where political expression clashed with studio priorities.

The Bigger Picture: Satire, Scapegoating, and Hollywood’s Divide

The Zegler-Cooper feud encapsulates Hollywood’s current fault lines: the tension between free speech and accountability, the scapegoating of young stars, and the politicization of casting. Zegler’s outspokenness, while divisive, aligns with a generation raised on social media, where authenticity often trumps diplomacy. Cooper’s commentary, rooted in conservative critique, reflects a growing backlash against perceived “woke” excess, with Snow White’s failure seen as proof of audience fatigue. Disney’s failure to mediate—neither fully supporting Zegler nor distancing itself—has left her vulnerable, a dynamic critics like Mark Harris have called a “hit job”.

The clash also raises questions about satire’s role in 2025. Family Guy and South Park’s parodies, while protected, amplified Zegler’s harassment, prompting debate about comedy’s limits when it fuels real-world vitriol. Zegler’s response to Cooper, while cathartic, risks further polarizing her image, with some fans urging her to “log off” to avoid escalation. For Disney, the saga underscores the risks of remakes in an era of heightened scrutiny, with Snow White’s failure joining The Marvels as a cautionary tale.

Looking Ahead: A Star’s Resilience

Rachel Zegler’s fiery rebuttal to Brett Cooper marks a defiant stand against a narrative seeking to define her as Hollywood’s scapegoat. Her Evita role offers a chance to reclaim her narrative, leveraging her acclaimed singing and stage presence. Disney, grappling with Snow White’s fallout, may distance itself from Zegler publicly while privately reevaluating its approach to controversial stars. Cooper, thriving on the controversy, is likely to continue her critique, with her YouTube channel gaining subscribers post-clash.

The Zegler-Cooper showdown is a snapshot of 2025’s cultural battles, where a young Latina actress’s voice becomes both her greatest asset and her biggest liability. As Zegler navigates this storm, her resilience—and the industry’s response—will shape whether she emerges as a lasting star or a cautionary tale in Disney’s fractured fairy-tale empire.