In a developing controversy surrounding Disney's upcoming live-action "Snow White," stars Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler find themselves at odds following a pro-Palestinian tweet by Zegler. The incident has sparked debate and drawn attention to the complex interplay of politics and entertainment.
Rachel Zegler, who plays the titular role of Snow White, stirred controversy with a tweet posted shortly after sharing the stage with Israeli actress Gal Gadot at a Disney promotional event. The tweet, which came on the heels of the film's trailer reaching 120 million views in 24 hours, read: "Thank you for all the love... And always remember, free Palestine."
This is not the first time Zegler has expressed pro-Palestinian sentiments, but the timing - immediately following a joint appearance with Gadot - has raised eyebrows in the industry. The two actresses had been promoting their film together, even giving joint interviews at Disney's annual fair where the official trailer was released.
Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen in the film, responded to the situation in her characteristically diplomatic manner. Rather than directly addressing Zegler's tweet, Gadot shared a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. on her Instagram story: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." She added her own message: "Only love can save the world."
Industry insiders suggest that the relationship between the two actresses has become strained due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Some speculate that Zegler's tweet was an attempt to gain social capital and appeal to a broader audience.
The controversy has put Disney in a delicate position as the company navigates the promotion of a high-profile film amidst political tensions. Neither Disney nor the actresses' representatives have officially commented on the situation.
As the release date for "Snow White" approaches, this off-screen drama could impact the film's reception and box office performance.
* Maariv contributed to this article.
