Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old star of Disney’s live-action Snow White, has reportedly vanished to Dubai, leaving behind a trail of controversy and a $120 million box office meltdown that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood. The film, a reimagining of the 1937 animated classic, was meant to be a triumphant addition to Disney’s live-action remake empire but instead became a financial and public relations catastrophe. A YouTube video posted on May 9, 2025, titled “Rachel Zegler ESCAPES to Dubai After Disney’s $120M MELTDOWN!” fueled speculation that Disney is demanding Zegler repay millions for the film’s failure, blaming her outspoken political comments and criticism of the original story. While these claims are largely unverified, they highlight the intense scrutiny facing Zegler and Disney’s struggle to salvage its reputation after Snow White’s dismal performance.

The Snow White Debacle: A Costly Misstep

Directed by Marc Webb and produced by Marc Platt, the 2025 Snow White starred Zegler as a modernized princess who evolves from a romantic dreamer into a leader fighting her stepmother, the Evil Queen, played by Gal Gadot. The film replaced the Seven Dwarfs with CGI “magical characters” and introduced a new love interest, Jonathan (Andrew Burnap). With a $270 million production budget, plus an estimated $100 million in marketing, the $370 million total made it one of Disney’s priciest remakes. The studio hoped to replicate the billion-dollar success of Beauty and the Beast (2017) or The Lion King (2019), but Snow White fell far short.

Premiering on March 21, 2025, the film opened to a lackluster $42.2 million domestically and $87.3 million globally, compared to The Little Mermaid (2023)’s $95 million domestic debut on a $240 million budget. Its worldwide gross stalled at $202.8 million, with $86.4 million from the U.S. and $116.3 million internationally, far below the $500 million needed to break even. A Mother’s Day re-release in 1,330 theaters in May 2025 grossed a mere $335,000, averaging 17 tickets per theater. Analysts estimate Disney lost at least $115 million, with some projections reaching $300 million when factoring in marketing and distribution costs. The studio’s quarterly earnings report in May 2025 confirmed Snow White as a flop, alongside Captain America: Brave New World.

Critical reception was tepid, with a 40% Rotten Tomatoes score and a B+ CinemaScore, Disney’s lowest for a live-action remake. Critics praised Zegler’s “radiant” performance but slammed Gadot’s “uninspired” Evil Queen, the “uncanny” CGI dwarfs, and the film’s “muddled” feminist reimagining. Audiences gave a 72% Popcornmeter score, but IMDb’s 1.6/10 rating reflected review-bombing, with 91.1% of votes as 1-star. X posts captured the vitriol, with users mocking Zegler’s claim that “people will wait in line” for her films, pointing to empty theaters.

Controversies from the Start

Snow White’s troubles began long before its release. Zegler’s casting in June 2021 sparked racist backlash from some fans who argued a Latina actress didn’t fit the “skin as white as snow” description, echoing criticism of Halle Bailey’s Little Mermaid casting. Zegler’s August 2022 comments calling the 1937 film “dated” and “weird,” particularly the prince’s “stalker” behavior, alienated purists who felt she disrespected Disney’s legacy. The decision to replace the Seven Dwarfs with CGI characters, prompted by Peter Dinklage’s critique of dwarf stereotypes, drew ire from dwarf performers who felt excluded.

Geopolitical tensions added fuel. Lebanon banned the film over Gadot’s pro-Israel stance, while Zegler’s pro-Palestine posts, including a “free Palestine” tweet after the August 2024 trailer debut, sparked boycotts from pro-Israel groups. Variety reported that producer Marc Platt flew to New York to address Zegler’s social media, and Disney hired a social media guru to vet her posts after she wrote “Fuck Donald Trump” and wished “Trump supporters never know peace” post-2024 election. Tensions between Zegler and Gadot, reportedly over their political differences, led Disney to scale down the premiere to a press-free afternoon event, unlike Moana 2’s lavish debut.

The Dubai Escape Rumor

The claim that Zegler fled to Dubai surfaced in multiple YouTube videos from April 1 to May 9, 2025, alleging Disney demanded $120 million from her to cover Snow White’s losses, citing “brand damage” from her comments. Titles like “Rachel Zegler FLEES TO DUBAI After Disney DEMANDS $120 Millions Back!” and “Rachel Zegler ESCAPES to Dubai After Disney’s $120M MELTDOWN!” suggested she went silent and left the U.S. to evade legal or financial pressure. X posts amplified this, with @Draculordx claiming the Mother’s Day re-release lost Disney another $1 million, further blaming Zegler.

No credible evidence supports these claims. Disney suing or demanding $120 million from Zegler, an actor not responsible for production decisions, is legally implausible, as contracts don’t typically hold performers liable for box office failures. Reddit discussions on r/moviecritic dismissed the idea, noting Disney’s leadership, not Zegler, approved the film’s direction. Her “escape” to Dubai likely stems from her social media silence, a common strategy for celebrities under scrutiny. In April 2025, the Daily Mail photographed Zegler in New York City, looking “somber” while walking her dog, suggesting she was still in the U.S. Her Dubai trip, if it occurred, could be a personal vacation or promotional visit, not a dramatic flight from Disney.

Why the Narrative Persists

Zegler’s scapegoating reflects her status as a lightning rod. Her comments on the original Snow White and political posts, including support for Palestine and criticism of Trump, made her a target for conservative audiences. X posts, like one from @ClownWorld_, accused Disney of hiring “activists instead of actors,” claiming Zegler’s “lecturing” tanked the film. Disney insiders, per Variety, blamed her, with one anonymous source saying, “Rachel Zegler should not be playing Snow White.” Producer Jonah Platt, Marc’s son, criticized her “immature” behavior, though he later deleted the post.

Yet supporters argue Disney unfairly targeted her. Journalist Mark Harris called the studio’s narrative a “hit job,” accusing it of shifting blame from its own missteps, like approving a $270 million budget and CGI dwarfs. Actress Melissa Barrera, fired from Scream 7 for pro-Palestine posts, praised Zegler’s “integrity” on Instagram. Fans on X, like @CUNTYBAIRD, celebrated Zegler earning a “fat cheque” while Disney lost money, framing her as a victor. Critics like David Ehrlich predicted a bright future, citing her talent.

Disney’s broader strategy is also under fire. The studio’s live-action remakes, once reliable hits, are faltering—Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) earned $626.7 million, and The Little Mermaid (2023) $569 million, both below expectations. Snow White’s failure prompted Disney to pause a Tangled remake, per industry reports. Reddit users criticized director Marc Webb and producers for mishandling the project, arguing Zegler was a convenient scapegoat for systemic issues.

Zegler’s Resilience and Next Steps

Despite the fallout, Zegler’s career remains robust. Snow White is her second-highest-grossing film, pushing her box office total past $700 million, behind The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes ($349 million). Her Golden Globe-winning debut in West Side Story (2021), Broadway role in Romeo + Juliet (2024), and upcoming West End debut in Evita (June–September 2025) showcase her versatility. She’s attached to an indie drama, She Gets It From Me, with Marisa Tomei, signaling a pivot to smaller projects.

Zegler’s May 2025 Instagram post, reflecting on turning 24 and calling age 23 a “secret third thing,” hinted at the toll of Snow White’s backlash. Yet her talent and fanbase, evident in X support, suggest she’ll rebound. Her Evita role, under director Jamie Lloyd, could redefine her as a stage icon, much like her Broadway success.

Disney’s Lessons and the Road Ahead

The Snow White meltdown is a wake-up call for Disney. The studio’s live-action remakes must balance nostalgia with innovation to avoid alienating fans, as seen with Cruella’s success ($233.5 million). Failing to manage controversies—Zegler’s posts, CGI dwarfs, and geopolitical tensions—allowed negative narratives to dominate. A Disney+ streaming debut may salvage viewership, but Snow White’s theatrical run is a historic low, with losses rivaling John Carter ($200 million).

The Dubai escape rumor, while likely false, underscores Zegler’s role as a cultural flashpoint. Disney’s attempt to pin the blame on her has backfired, with fans and critics rallying to her defense. As Zegler prepares for Evita, and Disney reassesses its remake strategy, the Snow White saga proves that even fairy tales can turn grim without careful stewardship.