Rachel Zegler’s New Movie Halted by On-Set Chaos

Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old actress who rose to fame with West Side Story and faced a firestorm over Disney’s Snow White (2025), is once again at the center of controversy. Reports claim that production on her latest film, She Gets It From Me, a comedy-drama co-starring Marisa Tomei, has been abruptly halted due to “unbelievable chaos” on set. Allegations of Zegler’s unprofessional behavior, conflicts with crew members, and logistical breakdowns have surfaced, painting a picture of a troubled shoot that threatens to derail the project. With Zegler’s career already under scrutiny, what’s behind this dramatic stoppage, and can she recover from yet another high-profile setback?

The Film: She Gets It From Me

She Gets It From Me, directed by Julia von Heinz and written by Jay Reiss, is a low-budget comedy-drama produced by A24 and 3311 Productions. Zegler stars as Nicky, a young bride-to-be who reconnects with her eccentric, ex-punk rocker birth mother, Charlotte, played by Tomei. The cast includes Ayo Edebiri and Patti Harrison, and the story, based on real events, explores family ties and personal identity with humor and heart. Filming began in New York in early 2025, with a planned release in 2026. The project was seen as a chance for Zegler to pivot from the Snow White debacle, which lost Disney $115 million, and showcase her versatility in a more intimate role.

Initial reports praised Zegler’s chemistry with Tomei, with producer Jen Dana lauding her “depth and humanity” in a statement to Variety. The film’s modest scope contrasted with Zegler’s blockbuster past, offering a lower-stakes opportunity to rebuild her reputation. However, recent claims of on-set chaos have overshadowed these hopes, with production reportedly grinding to a halt in May 2025.

The Chaos: Allegations of Unprofessional Behavior

Unverified reports, primarily from YouTube channels like Teatime with Teana and posts on X, allege that She Gets It From Me’s production stopped due to Zegler’s disruptive behavior. Sources cited by RadarOnline and Giant Freakin Robot claim she has been “demanding” and “difficult,” arriving late to call times, arguing with crew members, and refusing to film certain scenes unless her unspecified demands were met. One report suggested Zegler clashed with von Heinz over creative differences, creating a “toxic” atmosphere. A YouTube video titled “Unbelievable CHAOS Forces Rachel Zegler’s DRAMATIC New Movie Production To STOP!” claimed that crew morale has plummeted, with some staff threatening to walk off the set.

These allegations echo earlier reports of Zegler’s behavior on She Gets It From Me, which surfaced in April 2025 and cited delays due to her “rude” conduct. X posts, such as one from @Draculordx on May 6, 2025, amplified the narrative, linking to videos claiming “too much drama to continue.” Another post on May 8, 2025, described the situation as a “dramatic new production stoppage,” suggesting Zegler’s actions have pushed the project to the brink. While no named sources have corroborated these claims, their viral spread has fueled perceptions of Zegler as a problematic star.

Contextualizing the Claims

The She Gets It From Me chaos comes on the heels of a tumultuous year for Zegler. Snow White, released in March 2025, was a commercial and critical flop, grossing $225 million against a $410 million budget. Zegler’s comments dismissing the 1937 original as “sexist” and her political posts, including “free Palestine” and “F*** Donald Trump,” sparked boycott campaigns and review-bombing on IMDb, where the film scored a 1.5/10. Her reported tensions with co-star Gal Gadot, who faced death threats after Zegler’s pro-Palestine post, led to rumors of Gadot “lawyering up,” though no lawsuit has been confirmed. Disney’s decision to hire a social media guru to vet Zegler’s posts and scale back the film’s premiere underscored studio frustrations.

Zegler’s West End debut in Evita at the London Palladium, which opened in June 2025, also faced challenges, with reports of sluggish ticket sales attributed to her Snow White backlash. Her Broadway run in Romeo + Juliet (2024) was a box office hit but earned mixed reviews, and she was snubbed for a Tony nomination. These setbacks have painted Zegler as a polarizing figure, with critics like Jonah Platt, son of Snow White producer Marc Platt, accusing her of “narcissistic” behavior that hurt the film’s box office.

The current allegations may be amplified by this context. Variety reported that Zegler’s refusal to delete her “free Palestine” post, despite Platt’s intervention, strained her relationship with Disney, and similar defiance could be at play on She Gets It From Me. However, the lack of verified sources raises questions about the claims’ legitimacy. Some fans on Reddit speculate that the “chaos” narrative is a smear campaign, noting that on-set conflicts are common and often exaggerated for young actresses, especially women of color like Zegler, who is of Colombian-Polish descent.

Production Impact and Industry Reaction

The reported halt has disrupted She Gets It From Me’s schedule, with filming paused for an unspecified period. YouTube sources claim the stoppage has increased costs, straining A24’s budget, and delayed post-production, potentially pushing the release beyond 2026. Crew members are reportedly frustrated, with one anonymous source quoted by RadarOnline saying, “Nobody wants to work in this environment.” However, no official statement from A24, von Heinz, or Zegler confirms the halt, and co-stars Tomei and Edebiri have remained silent.

Industry reactions are mixed. Some insiders, per The Hollywood Reporter, view Zegler as a “brand risk” after Snow White, with her She Gets It From Me troubles reinforcing perceptions of unprofessionalism. Others defend her, arguing that the intense scrutiny she faces—over 50,000 hate messages during Snow White’s campaign—has taken a toll. Film critic Kelechi Ehenulo, cited by the BBC, called Zegler a “victim of culture wars,” noting that actors from underrepresented backgrounds often face disproportionate backlash. Actress Melissa Barrera, fired from Scream 7 for pro-Palestine posts, praised Zegler’s “integrity” on Instagram, framing her as a target of industry double standards.

Zegler’s Supporters and Critics

Zegler’s fans have rallied on X, dismissing the allegations as baseless. One user wrote, “Rachel Zegler’s being scapegoated again. She’s 23 and under insane pressure. Where’s the evidence?” Supporters highlight her professionalism in past projects, with West Side Story director Steven Spielberg and Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence praising her work ethic. Her Golden Globe win at age 20 and $349 million box office for The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes underscore her talent, they argue.

Critics, however, point to a pattern of controversy. The Daily Mail reported that Zegler’s Evita ticket sales suffered due to her “woke” persona, and Variety noted Disney’s frustration with her Oscars snub complaints in 2022. Jonah Platt’s now-deleted Instagram post, screenshotted by the New York Post, accused Zegler of “hijacking” Snow White’s narrative for “immature desires.” On X, users like @MARKHAL24182367 have shared videos claiming the She Gets It From Me halt proves she’s “unmanageable.”

The Bigger Picture

The She Gets It From Me chaos reflects broader challenges in Hollywood. Young stars, particularly women and people of color, face intense scrutiny in the social media age, where unverified claims can spiral into damaging narratives. Vanity Fair argued that Disney’s attempt to blame Zegler for Snow White’s failure backfired, making her an “icon” for some, but the She Gets It From Me allegations suggest the industry remains quick to scapegoat her. The polarized climate, fueled by X posts and YouTube videos, amplifies these narratives, with titles like “Rachel Zegler’s DRAMATIC New Movie Production STOP!” driving clicks over facts.

The controversy also highlights the pressure on low-budget films like She Gets It From Me. Unlike Snow White’s massive budget, A24’s project relies on efficiency, and delays could jeopardize its viability. Zegler’s high-profile status, while a draw, brings baggage that smaller productions may struggle to manage, especially amid her ongoing Evita commitments.

Looking Ahead

The future of She Gets It From Me is uncertain. If the halt persists, A24 may face difficult choices, such as recasting or shelving the project, though Zegler’s confirmed role suggests the studio is committed for now. Resolving the alleged conflicts—whether through mediation or schedule adjustments—could restart filming, but the damage to Zegler’s reputation may linger. Her Evita run, despite mixed reviews, has earned some praise for her vocals, and a successful She Gets It From Me could restore her credibility.

For Zegler, the path forward involves navigating intense scrutiny while leveraging her talent. A break from social media, as suggested by Variety, could reduce harassment, which has been relentless since Snow White. Her youth and past successes—West Side Story’s critical acclaim, Hunger Games’ box office—offer hope, but she must address perceptions of unprofessionalism to secure future roles.

Conclusion

The reported halt of She Gets It From Me due to Rachel Zegler’s alleged on-set chaos has thrust her into another controversy, following Snow White’s flop and Evita’s struggles. Unverified claims of unprofessional behavior, amplified by X and YouTube, paint her as a disruptive force, but supporters argue she’s unfairly targeted as a young Latina actress. The production’s fate hangs in the balance, with A24 facing delays and Zegler fighting to salvage her career. As Hollywood watches, this latest drama underscores the challenges of stardom in a polarized, social media-driven era, where chaos can stop a film before it even starts.