A Christmas Day preview of the upcoming Disney Snow White remake is once again amassing the wrong kind of attention. The video garnered a huge dislike ratio that seems to center around the film’s deeply unpopular star, Rachel Zegler.
If Disney thought its Snow White detractors might have been feeling generous or in the holiday spirit when it dropped its latest preview for the upcoming film, they were proven wrong. In what has become a predictable trend, viewers turned out in droves to click the thumbs down button on the House of Mouse’s latest Zegler-centric video.
The Christmas Day premiere featured a sneak peek showcasing star Rachel Zegler performing an original song titled “Waiting on a Wish.”
Unfortunately for Disney, the reception on YouTube was once again overwhelmingly negative, with the song amassing around 16,000 dislikes compared to just 2,900 likes as of this writing.
The Snow White special preview Dislike Ratio as of 12/24/24 – YouTube, Disney
Such an unfavorable response isn’t isolated to the song alone. Every trailer released for Snow White has been met with a similar tide of dislikes, signaling deeper issues behind the film’s troubled launch.
One of the primary criticisms revolves around the movie’s visual and technical aspects. Many viewers have taken issue with the CGI dwarves, describing them as laughable and failing to meet the high standards traditionally associated with Disney productions. Additionally, Rachel Zegler’s portrayal of Snow White has been met with skepticism. Fans argue that she doesn’t convincingly embody the iconic character, questioning her suitability for the role that has been cherished for decades.
However, the backlash extends beyond technical shortcomings.
Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Snow White (2025), Walt Disney Studios
A significant portion of the negative sentiment appears to be directed at Rachel Zegler herself, stemming from her highly publicized meltdowns and controversial behavior since being cast as Snow White.
From the outset, Zegler has been a polarizing figure. She made headlines by clarifying that she wouldn’t bleach her skin to play Snow White, a stance that some interpreted as a defensive reaction to the casting of a Hispanic actress in a traditionally white role. This declaration set the tone for a series of actions and statements that have alienated many potential fans.
The Dislike Ratio for Disney’s Snow White Trailer as of 12/11/24 – YouTube, Disney
Zegler’s interviews have often been described as outlandish and tone-deaf. She has made comparisons likening herself to priceless sculptures in the Louvre, a statement that many found cringeworthy and disconnected from the reality of her role in Hollywood.
Her criticism of the original Snow White painted the Walt Disney animated classic as sexist and outdated, comparing Snow White’s prince to a stalker—a comparison that seemed both inappropriate and unnecessary.
The situation deteriorated when Zegler used the Snow White teaser trailer and its publicity to advocate for Palestine. This move was met with backlash, especially given that her co-star, Gal Gadot, is a veteran of the Israeli army.
Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action SNOW WHITE. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The political tension escalated following the 2024 US presidential election, culminating in Zegler launching a social media tantrum tirade against President-elect Donald Trump and his supporters. Her statement, “may Trump and his supporters never know peace,” ignited outrage so intense that she was compelled to issue an official apology on social media—a gesture that many questioned in terms of its authenticity and sincerity.
A screenshot of Rachel Zegler’s Incendiary tweets about Donald Trump and his supporters – Photo Credit Steph Anie, @MyNerdyHome Via X
Adding to the tumult, Zegler’s recent film Y2K failed to make a significant impact at the box office, grossing a mere $4,210,306. This underperformance has only compounded the negative perception surrounding her career choices and public persona.
The culmination of these factors has severely impacted Disney’s Snow White project. The high number of dislikes on promotional materials reflects a broader dissatisfaction that could potentially influence the movie’s performance upon release. Such a combination of technical criticisms and the public’s growing disapproval of Rachel Zegler presents a formidable challenge for Disney as it seeks to revive a beloved classic this spring.
Do you think Snow White will bomb when it releases next year? Are you surprised by the Snow White dislike ratio? Will Disney continue casting controversial performers? Sound off in the comment section below and let us know!
