Sean Ono Lennon, the son of Beatles legend John Lennon and artist Yoko Ono, has delivered a sharp and outspoken critique of Rachel Zegler, the star of Disney’s live-action Snow White.
Lennon took to social media to share his candid thoughts on the ongoing controversy surrounding Zegler, who has faced intense criticism for her remarks and actions during the filming and release of the highly anticipated movie.
While Lennon acknowledged that the backlash against Zegler may have been excessive, he didn’t hold back in labeling the 23-year-old actress as “a spoiled, ungrateful, and disconnected brat.”
Disney’s Live-Action Snow White Faces Serious Backlash
Once hailed as Disney’s next big hit, Snow White has instead become one of the studio’s most controversial projects.
The film, which was expected to be a blockbuster, struggled at the box office, grossing a disappointing $43 million on its opening weekend—far below the projected $85 million target.
The film’s reception has been marred not just by its underperformance but also by an escalating debate about its casting, themes, and Zegler’s outspoken remarks.
The Backlash Begins: Zegler’s Comments Fuel the Fire
The controversy surrounding Snow White began even before the film’s release, with Zegler’s casting as the iconic princess sparking intense debate.
While Disney positioned her as a progressive choice—Zegler is of Colombian-Polish descent—many saw it as another instance of Hollywood’s “woke” agenda.
Things took a turn for the worse when Zegler made a now-deleted tweet, stating, “Yes, I am Snow White.
No, I am not bleaching my skin for the role,” which only fueled the fire.
Zegler’s controversial comments didn’t stop there. She criticized the original 1937 animated Snow White, calling its themes of true love and Prince Charming “weird” and outdated.
She went further, claiming that Snow White wouldn’t be “saved by the prince” and wouldn’t be dreaming of true love.
Her portrayal of Prince Charming as “literally a stalker” was a particularly divisive statement.
The Marketing Struggles and Snow White’s New Direction
As the backlash grew, the marketing for Snow White began to shift.
The film’s promotional efforts became subdued, with the red carpet event for its Hollywood premiere being notably absent of key stars like Zegler and her co-star Gal Gadot.
There were fewer press invitations for the European debut, which took place in a remote Segovia castle.
It seemed that the film’s troubled production and controversial statements had begun to impact its public image in a significant way.
But the changes in Snow White went beyond its stars’ remarks.
Disney took a “different approach” to the beloved story, including reimagining the Seven Dwarfs as CGI magical gnomes, rather than using actors with dwarfism as in previous versions.
This decision sparked even more debate and criticism, particularly regarding the film’s handling of sensitive topics.
Political Activism Adds to the Tension
Adding fuel to the fire, Zegler’s outspoken political activism has further divided opinions.
She has used social media to voice her support for Palestine, while her co-star Gadot is known for her support of Israel.
This political divide has added another layer of complexity to the film’s already turbulent journey, with critics accusing Disney of mishandling the project both artistically and politically.
Snow White’s Costly Gamble
Despite its controversies, Snow White reportedly cost Disney over $200 million to produce, making it one of the most expensive films in the company’s live-action remake series.
With the film’s underperformance at the box office and growing public disdain, it seems that the decision to overhaul such an iconic fairy tale may have backfired.
A Post-Mortem of Disney’s Choices
Reflecting on the situation, one Reddit user put it bluntly: “They have no one to blame but themselves for this mess.”
While some feel the criticisms of Zegler and the film’s direction have gone too far, others argue that the backlash is well-earned, and that Disney’s handling of the remake has been fraught with missteps from the beginning.