Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old star of Disney’s live-action Snow White, is reportedly reeling after the film’s catastrophic box office performance was overshadowed by the resounding success of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch live-action remake. Snow White, released on March 21, 2025, with a $270 million budget, grossed a mere $168.6 million worldwide, resulting in an estimated $115 million loss for Disney. In stark contrast, Lilo & Stitch, released on April 18, 2025, has been projected to rake in $100 million in its opening weekend alone, with early buzz suggesting it could surpass $500 million globally. The stark disparity has left Zegler shaken, with sources claiming she’s grappling with the fallout from Snow White’s failure, compounded by controversies over her political comments and casting. As fans on platforms like X celebrate Lilo & Stitch’s triumph and dissect Zegler’s struggles, this Hollywood showdown has sparked heated debates about Disney’s remake strategy, cultural representation, and Zegler’s future. Here’s the full story behind this dramatic clash.
The Box Office Battle: Snow White vs. Lilo & Stitch
Snow White, directed by Marc Webb and starring Zegler as the titular princess alongside Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, was meant to be a cornerstone of Disney’s live-action remake empire. However, the film faced relentless challenges from the start. Zegler’s comments during promotion, including calling the 1937 animated classic “dated” and its prince a “stalker,” alienated nostalgic fans. Her political posts, notably an August 2024 X statement, “and always remember, free Palestine,” and post-election Instagram rants like “F*** Donald Trump,” triggered boycotts and death threats against Gadot, an Israeli actress, prompting Disney to bolster security. The film’s $43 million domestic opening weekend and 40% Rotten Tomatoes score reflected its rejection, with critics like The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey slamming its “lazy” script and “visually repellent” CGI dwarfs. By May 5, 2025, Snow White had limped to $142.7 million globally, far from breaking even.
In contrast, Lilo & Stitch, directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, has emerged as a surprise juggernaut. The remake, starring Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Sydney Elizabeth Agudong as Nani, with CGI for the alien Stitch, tapped into millennial nostalgia for the 2002 animated original. Its Super Bowl trailer, showcasing a vibrant blend of Hawaiian culture and Stitch’s chaotic charm, garnered widespread praise, unlike Snow White’s divisive first look. Early projections suggest Lilo & Stitch could hit $100 million domestically in its opening weekend, with global estimates eyeing $500 million or more. Fans on X have hailed its “heartfelt” adaptation, with one user posting, “Lilo & Stitch is what Snow White should’ve been—fun, nostalgic, and respectful.” The film’s success has been attributed to its faithful yet fresh approach, avoiding the cultural missteps that plagued Snow White.
Zegler’s Reaction: Shaken and Under Pressure
Reports indicate Zegler is “shaken” by Lilo & Stitch’s outperformance, which has amplified scrutiny of Snow White’s failure. A May 4, 2025, YouTube video titled “Rachel Zegler Left SHAKEN as Lilo & Stitch OUTPERFORMS Snow White” claimed she’s struggling with the public comparison, particularly as Disney insiders reportedly blame her for Snow White’s flop. Sources cited by Variety noted Disney’s frustration with Zegler’s social media activity, including her pro-Palestine post that sparked death threats against Gadot, leading to producer Marc Platt’s intervention. Her post-election outburst prompted Disney to assign a social media consultant, though Zegler later apologized, stating, “I let my emotions get the best of me.”
On X, reactions are polarized. Supporters argue Zegler’s been unfairly scapegoated, with one user posting, “Rachel’s getting all the blame for Disney’s bad choices. Lilo & Stitch’s success doesn’t erase her talent.” Critics, however, pile on, with posts like, “Zegler’s comments sank Snow White. Lilo & Stitch shows what happens when you don’t trash the original.” The comparison has fueled a narrative of Zegler as a liability, with some, like producer Marc Platt’s son Jonah, publicly blaming her “personal politics” for hurting the box office. Zegler’s somber appearance in New York, walking her dog with a makeup-free look and pimple patch, as reported by DailyMail, suggests the toll of the backlash.
The Cultural Clash: Casting and Representation
Both films have faced debates over casting and cultural representation, but with vastly different outcomes. Zegler, who is half-Colombian, endured racist vitriol for playing Snow White, a character described in the 1812 Grimm fairy tale as “white as snow.” Critics on X argued her Latina heritage clashed with the “traditional” princess, with one user posting, “Snow White’s name is literally about her skin. Casting Zegler was a mistake.” Supporters, including Zegler herself, countered that talent trumped appearance, with her telling Allure, “I was given a chance because I could sing.” The backlash, echoed in comments from former Disney designer David Hand calling the remake a “disgrace,” framed Zegler’s casting as “woke” overreach, contributing to the film’s review-bombing and boycott campaigns.
Lilo & Stitch, conversely, navigated its casting controversies more successfully. Sydney Elizabeth Agudong’s casting as Nani sparked initial backlash for her lighter skin compared to the animated character’s Pacific Islander features, with X users arguing it diluted Hawaiian representation. However, the film’s emphasis on Hawaiian culture, led by Native Hawaiian actress Kealoha and cultural consultants, won over skeptics. Positive buzz around Stitch’s CGI design and the trailer’s nostalgic appeal helped Lilo & Stitch avoid the cultural firestorm that engulfed Snow White. A Reddit user on r/blankies noted, “Lilo & Stitch is hitting because it’s nostalgic and cute. Snow White got bogged down in politics.”
Disney’s Remake Strategy: A Tale of Two Films
The contrasting fates of Snow White and Lilo & Stitch highlight the challenges of Disney’s live-action remake strategy. Since 2010’s Alice in Wonderland, Disney has churned out remakes like The Jungle Book ($966 million) and The Lion King ($1.6 billion), but recent efforts have faltered. Dumbo ($353 million on $170 million) and The Little Mermaid underperformed, while Mufasa: The Lion King ($721 million) showed audiences prefer fresh spins over rote retellings. Snow White’s failure, with its $410 million total cost (including marketing), led Disney to shelve a Tangled remake, signaling a strategic retreat. A Reddit user on r/entertainment argued, “Snow White’s from 1937—no millennial nostalgia. Lilo & Stitch is newer, so parents and kids connect.”
Lilo & Stitch’s success suggests Disney can still capitalize on nostalgia when executed well. Its 2002 original resonates with millennials, and its vibrant CGI and cultural sensitivity have broadened its appeal. Early reviews praise its “heart and humor,” contrasting Snow White’s “stale” visuals and divisive narrative. Disney CEO Bob Iger’s omission of Snow White during Q4 2024 and Q1 2025 earnings calls, while hyping Lilo & Stitch, underscores the studio’s shift toward safer bets. The pause on Tangled and the departure of remake chief Sean Bailey reflect Disney’s recalibration, with Lilo & Stitch potentially paving the way for projects like The Emperor’s New Groove.
Zegler’s Future: Resilience or Ruin?
Zegler’s shaken state reflects the personal and professional toll of Snow White’s failure, amplified by Lilo & Stitch’s triumph. Her role in Snow White was praised by some critics, with ScreenRant calling her singing “spectacular,” but the film’s broader issues—CGI dwarfs, a weak script, and boycott campaigns—overwhelmed her contribution. Disney’s reported frustration, including nearly cutting her over her Trump comments, suggests a strained relationship. The studio’s leaked narrative, as reported by Variety, paints Zegler as “erratic” and “irresponsible,” a scapegoat for systemic flaws.
Yet, Zegler is forging ahead. Her upcoming role as Eva Perón in a West End Evita revival (June-September 2025) and her lead in A24’s She Gets It From Me offer chances to rebuild her image. Evita leverages her vocal strength, while She Gets It From Me, a comedy-drama about a bride-to-be, showcases her emotional range. Fans on X are optimistic, with one posting, “Rachel’s gonna kill it in Evita. Snow White was Disney’s mess, not hers.” However, reported drama on the She Gets It From Me set, including creative clashes and “diva” allegations, raises concerns about her ability to escape the “difficult” label.
Zegler’s supporters argue she’s been unfairly targeted as a young Latina actress, with parallels to Halle Bailey’s Little Mermaid backlash. Film critic Kelechi Ehenulo noted, “Zegler’s scrutiny is about race and gender as much as her actions.” Her defenders highlight her resilience, from enduring racist trolling to navigating death threats, with one X user writing, “Rachel’s 23 and still standing. She’s stronger than the haters.” Critics, however, point to her social media missteps as self-inflicted wounds, with a Reddit user on r/OutOfTheLoop stating, “Trashing the original Snow White was a bad move. Lilo & Stitch didn’t make that mistake.”
The Cultural Significance: Nostalgia and Representation
The Snow White–Lilo & Stitch showdown reflects deeper cultural currents. Snow White’s 1937 roots lacked the millennial nostalgia that fuels Lilo & Stitch’s appeal, with the latter’s 2002 original resonating across generations. Lilo & Stitch’s focus on Hawaiian culture and family dynamics feels contemporary, while Snow White’s European fairy tale struggled to connect. Zegler’s casting, though groundbreaking for Latina representation, became a lightning rod in a “culture war” over diversity, with conservatives like David Hand decrying “woke” changes. Lilo & Stitch’s casting, despite early Nani backlash, was bolstered by cultural authenticity, showing a path forward for inclusive storytelling.
The Simpsons’s history of prescient satire adds irony, as its parodies of Disney remakes foreshadowed Snow White’s struggles. Lilo & Stitch’s success could embolden Disney to greenlight riskier remakes, like The Emperor’s New Groove, while Snow White’s failure may deter overly modernized retellings. The contrast underscores the delicate balance of honoring tradition while embracing change, a lesson Zegler’s experience embodies.
Why This Clash Matters
Rachel Zegler’s shaken response to Lilo & Stitch’s triumph over Snow White is a Hollywood saga of ambition, backlash, and redemption. The box office disparity—Snow White’s $115 million loss versus Lilo & Stitch’s projected $500 million haul—highlights Disney’s remake roulette, where nostalgia and execution are king. Zegler, caught in a maelstrom of racism, politics, and studio blame, faces a pivotal moment, with Evita and She Gets It From Me as her proving grounds. Fans on X capture the stakes, with one writing, “Rachel’s down but not out. Lilo & Stitch won, but she’s got fight left.”
This clash resonates because it’s more than a tale of two films—it’s about representation, resilience, and the price of fame in a divided world. As Lilo & Stitch stitches together a new Disney success, Zegler’s journey, shaken but unbroken, will define whether she rises above the noise or becomes a cautionary tale.
