Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old star still navigating the fallout from Disney’s Snow White flop, was banking on her new A24 film, She Gets It From Me, to mark a triumphant return. But just weeks into production, reports of behind-the-scenes turmoil have erupted, casting doubt on her redemption arc. Whispers of creative clashes, scheduling conflicts, and allegations of Zegler’s “diva” behavior have set Hollywood abuzz, with fans and critics on platforms like X dissecting the chaos. Directed by Lorene Scafaria, the comedy-drama about a bride-to-be reconnecting with her estranged punk-rock mother was poised to showcase Zegler’s raw talent, but this early drama threatens to derail the project. Here’s the full story behind the escalating controversy and its stakes for Zegler’s career.

The Film: A Make-or-Break Moment

She Gets It From Me is an A24-backed comedy-drama set for a late 2025 festival run and a 2026 wide release. Zegler stars as Ellie, a young woman planning her wedding who embarks on a chaotic quest to reconnect with her mother, a former punk-rock singer battling addiction. Set in New York’s gritty music scene, the film blends humor, heart, and original songs performed by Zegler, aiming to capture the messy beauty of family ties. Directed by Lorene Scafaria (Hustlers), the project was tailored to highlight Zegler’s vocal and dramatic skills, building on her Golden Globe-winning role in West Side Story (2021) and her acclaimed Broadway debut as Juliet in Romeo + Juliet (2024).

The film was Zegler’s chance to move past Snow White’s catastrophic failure. Released on March 21, 2025, the $270 million Disney remake grossed just $168.6 million globally, losing $115 million. Zegler’s comments calling the 1937 original “dated” and its prince a “stalker” alienated fans, while her political posts—an August 2024 X statement, “and always remember, free Palestine,” and post-election Instagram rants like “F*** Donald Trump”—sparked boycotts and death threats against her co-star, intensifying the backlash. A Family Guy parody mocking her “woke” persona and her emotional response, labeled a “meltdown,” cemented her as a polarizing figure. With She Gets It From Me, Zegler aimed to reclaim her narrative through an indie role, but the reported drama risks derailing her comeback.

The Drama: What’s Fueling the Fire?

Reports of turmoil surfaced in early May 2025, as She Gets It From Me began filming in New York. Industry sources point to several flashpoints driving the chaos:

Creative Clashes: Zegler and Scafaria are reportedly butting heads over the film’s vision. Zegler, leveraging her New York roots, is pushing for a grittier, more authentic portrayal of Ellie, emphasizing her Latina identity. Scafaria, however, is said to prefer a lighter, comedic tone to broaden festival appeal. A source told a film blog, “Rachel’s all about raw emotion, but Lorene thinks it’s too heavy for audiences.” These disagreements have triggered last-minute script rewrites, stalling production and fraying tempers.

Scheduling Nightmares: Zegler’s commitment to the West End Evita revival (June-September 2025) has thrown a wrench into filming. Her determination to juggle both projects has reportedly irked producers, who expected her full focus on the film. Delays caused by her press obligations for Evita have tightened an already packed shooting schedule, with one crew member alleging, “Rachel’s spread too thin, and it’s slowing us down.”

“Diva” Allegations: Rumors of Zegler’s on-set behavior have fueled the narrative of her as difficult. Crew members claim she’s been demanding, requesting sudden changes to scenes and arriving late due to external commitments. A now-deleted X post from an anonymous crew member read, “Rachel acts like she’s the director. It’s chaos.” While unverified, the post went viral, amplifying perceptions of Zegler as a liability.

The drama has exploded online. On X, fans are split, with some defending Zegler’s push for authenticity, posting, “Rachel’s fighting for a real Latina story. That’s not drama—it’s passion.” Others are less forgiving, with one user writing, “Zegler’s burning bridges again. She’s her own worst enemy.” The controversy echoes her Snow White experience, where her outspokenness strained professional relationships and fueled public backlash.

The Context: Zegler’s High-Wire Act

Zegler’s career is a study in contrasts—stunning talent paired with relentless scrutiny. Her breakout in West Side Story marked her as a generational star, but Snow White thrust her into a cultural firestorm. Racist attacks on her Latina casting, amplified on X, were compounded by her political activism, which alienated audiences and prompted Disney to curb her press. Her response to a Family Guy parody, calling it “hurtful,” was framed as a meltdown, though supporters argued she was unfairly targeted as a young woman of color. Film critic Kelechi Ehenulo told BBC News, “Zegler faces a level of vitriol her peers don’t. It’s about race and gender as much as her words.”

She Gets It From Me was meant to be a fresh start, but the drama risks reinforcing Zegler’s “difficult” reputation. Unlike Snow White, where she was one piece of a broader failure (poor CGI, weak script), this indie film depends heavily on her performance. A24, known for nurturing talent but ruthless about efficiency, may lose patience if delays mount. The film’s cultural significance—a Latina-led story rooted in New York’s diversity—adds pressure, as does Zegler’s musical role, which could showcase her vocal prowess or expose her to further criticism if the drama overshadows the art.

The Stakes: A Project on the Brink

The drama’s fallout could make or break She Gets It From Me. A24 has navigated turbulent productions before, like Midsommar’s logistical challenges, but delays could push the film out of the 2025 festival circuit, dimming its awards prospects. Scafaria’s ability to bridge Zegler’s vision with practical needs will be critical. Leaked set photos on X show Zegler in character, delivering a fiery monologue that’s earned early praise, with one user posting, “Rachel’s bringing it. The drama better not ruin this.” The film’s punk-inspired songs, co-written by Zegler and Scafaria, could be a highlight, with fans on X comparing them to A Star Is Born’s soundtrack.

For Zegler, the stakes are existential. A standout performance could quiet her critics, positioning her as a versatile lead capable of carrying an indie hit. Success here would bolster her Evita run and open doors to future roles, with X users already buzzing about Oscar potential: “Rachel’s gonna steal the show. Best Actress vibes.” But if the drama tanks the film, it could brand her as a high-risk talent, limiting opportunities. Disney’s reported wariness after Snow White suggests studios are cautious, and A24’s tolerance for chaos has limits.

The Bigger Picture: Hollywood in the Social Media Age

The She Gets It From Me drama reflects broader industry dynamics. Social media, particularly X, amplifies set gossip, turning unverified claims into viral narratives. The anonymous “diva” post, though lacking evidence, shaped perceptions of Zegler, much like her Snow White controversies were fueled by screenshot-driven outrage. Young actresses of color, like Zegler and Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid), face disproportionate scrutiny, with X posts highlighting a double standard: “Rachel’s called a diva for caring, but male stars get a pass.”

Indie filmmaking’s tight margins exacerbate the issue. Unlike Disney’s blockbuster budgets, A24’s lean model leaves little room for delays, making Zegler’s scheduling conflicts a bigger deal. Similar dramas have hit projects like Euphoria Season 3, where cast disputes stalled production. Yet, the industry’s hunger for diverse, authentic stories gives Zegler leverage. She Gets It From Me’s focus on a Latina family aligns with successes like Everything Everywhere All at Once, but Zegler’s polarizing image—hero to some, troublemaker to others—complicates its path.

Why This Drama Captivates

The She Gets It From Me chaos is a gripping saga of talent, ambition, and the perils of fame. Zegler’s fight for a meaningful role reflects her passion but risks echoing the Snow White missteps that made her a target. For fans, the drama heightens anticipation for a film that could redefine her legacy, with X posts pleading, “Let Rachel cook—this movie sounds incredible.” For Hollywood, it’s a test of how studios handle young, vocal stars in an era where every move is a headline.

As filming continues, Zegler’s ability to channel the chaos into her performance will determine the outcome. With Evita on the horizon and She Gets It From Me poised for impact, she’s walking a tightrope. The drama may dominate now, but the film’s success—or failure—will write her next chapter, and the world is watching.