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Why is Rachel Zegler's casting in 'Snow White' controversial? Fans say Disney is trying to 'appease woke extremists'

Racist comments targeting Rachel Zegler, who is Latina, were brought to the forefront following her selection as the beloved Disney princess

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rachel Zegler is facing criticism after being cast as Snow White in Disney Studios' live-action remake of the classic fairytale flick. While some social media users expressed disapproval over the casting choices for the seven dwarfs, racist comments targeting Zegler, who is Latina, were also brought to the forefront following her selection as the beloved Disney princess.

"Extremely appreciative of the love I feel from those defending me online, but please don’t tag me in the nonsensical discourse about my casting," Zegler wrote on Twitter. "I really, truly do not want to see it. So i leave you w these photos!" she added and included four childhood pictures of her dressing up as different Disney princesses, including Snow White. "I hope every child knows they can be a princess no matter what," she concluded.

Why is Rachel Zegler's casting in 'Snow White' controversial?

Ever since Zegler's casting was announced in 2021 for 'Snow White', the 'Shazam' actor has been subjected to racist remarks, with many questioning why an actress of Latin descent was chosen to portray a character traditionally celebrated for having "skin as white as snow." "At one point, you just have to shut it all off and think, if I’m not going to read the bad, I’m just not going to read the good either," she said earlier on Variety’s Actors on Actors series in 2022. "I’m just going to believe in what I believe in," she added.

'I'm surprised Snow White isn't non-binary or a man'

Disney's decision to cast a Latina actress as Snow White received mixed reactions from fans, with some expressing their displeasure openly. One user wrote, "Disney has completely lost their way. Insane to me that a $300B company would sacrifice 100 years of brand building in order to appease woke extremists. The Disney corporation has become a joke. Stay far away." Another concurred, writing, "Won't be watching that one." A third commented, "Next they’re going to tell us snow isn’t white but black and sometimes brown!!" while another noted sarcastically, "I'm surprised Snow White isn't Non-binary or a man." "If this is true, it’s gonna be a hot pile of trash," someone said, while another added, "Personally if you aren't gonna stay true to the original movie or book, don't make it. Ever time a reboot comes out it's absolutely horrible because they alter things from the original. That's the Main point of a reboot, to modernize it not change major details."