Rachel Zegler vs. Gal Gadot: The Snow White Set Drama That’s Fracturing Disney’s Fairy Tale

Disney’s live-action Snow White, released on March 21, 2025, was meant to be a triumphant reimagining of the 1937 animated classic, but instead, it has become a lightning rod for controversy, with its leading ladies, Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, at the heart of a firestorm. The $270 million production, starring Zegler as Snow White and Gadot as the Evil Queen, has been plagued by issues ranging from racist backlash against Zegler’s casting to debates over its CGI dwarfs. But the most explosive drama centers on reports that Zegler has publicly clashed with Gadot, with tensions allegedly erupting on set and spilling into social media. Fueled by their opposing political views on the Israel-Palestine conflict and a series of perceived slights, this rumored feud has turned Snow White into a cautionary tale of Hollywood egos, studio missteps, and a fandom divided. What really happened on set, and why is Zegler’s reported outburst against Gadot making waves? Let’s unravel the saga.

The Spark: A Political Divide

The roots of the Zegler-Gadot drama trace back to their starkly different stances on the Israel-Palestine conflict, which came into sharp focus during the promotion of Snow White. Zegler, a 23-year-old Latina actress of Colombian and Polish descent, has been vocal about her pro-Palestine views since 2021, signing the Artists4Ceasefire letter and posting messages like “always remember, free palestine” on X after sharing the film’s trailer in August 2024. Gadot, a 39-year-old Israeli actress and former IDF soldier, has been equally outspoken in her support for Israel, particularly following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Her Instagram posts, including one quoting Martin Luther King Jr. about love driving out hate, were interpreted by some as a subtle jab at Zegler’s activism.

This political divide set the stage for tension, with fans and media speculating about a feud. On X, posts like one from @HenMazzig claimed Disney viewed Zegler as a “nightmare” for her posts, while @nypost reported that the actresses’ “tension” stemmed from their differing views. The situation escalated when Zegler’s trailer post, which garnered 8.8 million views, drew backlash from pro-Israel groups, with some, like @StopAntisemitism, labeling her antisemitic and calling for a boycott. Gadot, meanwhile, faced death threats, prompting Disney to beef up her security. The studio’s response—sending producer Marc Platt to New York to urge Zegler to tone down her posts—only fanned the flames, as Zegler refused to delete her message.

On-Set Tensions: Fact or Fiction?

Reports of on-set drama paint a complex picture. Sources cited by Variety insist there was “no bad blood” during filming in London from March to July 2022, with Zegler and Gadot getting along well. However, the run-up to the film’s release saw things turn “awkward.” A key moment came after the pair presented together at the Oscars on March 2, 2025, where they appeared cordial but distant. Zegler’s subsequent Instagram post, calling the Snow White experience “life-changing” but omitting any mention of Gadot, was seen by fans as a snub, with one X user noting, “Rachel posted 19 photos thanking her co-stars, but didn’t mention or post photos of Gal.” Zegler’s comment in an Instagram reply, referring to Gadot as a “professional pageant queen,” was perceived as dismissive, further fueling speculation.

The Snow White premiere on March 15 at the El Capitan Theatre added to the narrative of discord. Disney scaled back the event, limiting press to photographers and house crew, a move some attributed to the Zegler-Gadot drama. The actresses were kept apart, with Zegler seated two rows ahead of Gadot and her family, and Gadot skipping the European premiere in Spain while Zegler performed in Segovia. Sources told People that Gadot was “annoyed by the movie drama” and that the pair “have nothing in common,” citing their age gap and political differences. While a source familiar with the situation insisted to People that it wasn’t a “stay away from me” dynamic, the optics suggested otherwise.

Zegler’s Outburst: The Breaking Point

The most incendiary claim emerged in early May 2025, with posts on X, such as one from @kokesh82, alleging that Zegler “broke silence” and “attacked” Gadot over their Snow White drama. While no direct quotes from Zegler confirm a public outburst, the narrative stems from her ongoing social media activity and reported frustrations with the film’s reception. Zegler’s posts celebrating Snow White’s brief stint as the #1 movie worldwide, despite its dismal $87 million global box office against a $350 million budget, were seen by some as defiant in the face of criticism. Her refusal to back down from her political stance, coupled with Disney’s decision to hire a “social media guru” to vet her posts after her anti-Trump comments in November 2024, suggests a star at odds with both her co-star and the studio.

Some fans speculate that Zegler’s frustration with Gadot may stem from the perception that Gadot’s pro-Israel stance overshadowed the film’s promotion, drawing boycotts from pro-Palestine groups. Others point to Gadot’s reported professionalism—limiting her political comments to support for Israeli hostages—as a contrast to Zegler’s outspokenness, which some insiders claim “hurt the film’s box office.” Jonah Platt, the son of producer Marc Platt, publicly criticized Zegler in a since-deleted post, accusing her of dragging politics into the campaign, a sentiment echoed by critics like Megyn Kelly, who called Zegler a “pig” for her Trump remarks.

The Bigger Picture: A Troubled Production

The Zegler-Gadot drama is just one piece of Snow White’s troubled journey. The film faced racist backlash in 2021 when Zegler, a Latina, was cast as a character traditionally described as having “skin as white as snow.” Zegler clapped back, calling critics “losers obsessed with a cartoon princess’s bloodline purity.” Her comments about the 1937 original, labeling it “dated” and the Prince a “stalker,” sparked further outrage, with some fans arguing she disrespected Disney’s legacy. The decision to use CGI dwarfs, following accusations of ableism, alienated actors with dwarfism, with Martin Klebba, who voices Grumpy, lamenting the lack of a traditional red carpet due to “controversy with Rachel.”

Production woes, including a 2022 set fire and a 2023 actors’ strike delay, compounded the issues. Reviews were mixed, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 40% critic score and praise for Zegler’s “luminous” performance but criticism for Gadot’s “hilariously bad” line reads and the film’s “garish” CGI. The New York Post called it “pointless,” while The Guardian dubbed it “exhaustingly awful.” Disney’s marketing, described as “bashful” by theater owners, failed to counter the narrative of a “woke” disaster, with advance ticket sales lagging until days before release.

The Fallout: Scapegoat or Symbol?

Disney insiders have pinned much of the blame on Zegler, with Variety reporting that the studio saw her as a liability after her political posts and Trump comments alienated half the audience. Yet, this scapegoating has backfired, with fans on X trending Zegler’s name in support, praising her courage. Vanity Fair noted that the more Disney tries to implicate Zegler, the better she looks to observers who see her as a young actress standing her ground. Her upcoming role in the West End’s Evita and her Golden Globe win for West Side Story suggest a career far from derailed, despite the Snow White flop.

Gadot, meanwhile, has maintained a lower profile, focusing on her role without engaging in the feud narrative. Her supporters, including Israeli consul Ofir Akunis, have called for Americans to back her film, framing Zegler’s actions as “outrageous.” Yet, the boycott calls from both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel groups highlight the no-win situation for both actresses, caught in a cultural maelstrom beyond their control.

What’s Next for Snow White’s Stars?

The Snow White drama underscores Hollywood’s challenge in navigating stars’ political expressions in a polarized world. Zegler’s reported outburst, whether real or exaggerated, reflects the pressure of being a young star under scrutiny, while Gadot’s restraint highlights the delicate balance of maintaining professionalism amid chaos. Disney’s scaled-back premiere and hands-off marketing suggest a studio eager to move past the debacle, but the film’s failure—grossing less than a quarter of its budget—will linger.

For fans, the Zegler-Gadot saga is a fairy tale gone wrong, with no clear villain or hero. Whether their tensions were personal, political, or purely fabricated by online sleuths, the fallout has turned Snow White into a symbol of Hollywood’s culture wars. As Zegler and Gadot move on to new projects, the question remains: can Disney’s next remake avoid the poisoned apple of controversy, or is the fairy tale dream doomed to repeat this nightmare?