Rachel Zegler Calls Original Animated Snow White a ‘Badass’ Because She ‘Prays’

Rachel Zegler on Snow White’s Timeless Appeal and Modern Relevance

Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old actress set to star in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, has shared her admiration for the original Disney princess, highlighting a rarely discussed aspect of Snow White’s character. In an interview with Allure, Zegler pointed out that Snow White’s act of praying in the 1937 animated classic is a moment that stands out to her. “You see Disney Princesses cry quite often, and it’s never looked at as a bad thing,” she said, referencing how Cinderella, Belle, and Snow White all cry in their stories. However, what makes Snow White unique, according to Zegler, is the moment she prays—a rare display of religious devotion in Disney films. “She prays for Grumpy—the one person in that cottage who doesn’t want her there,” Zegler noted, calling the gesture “badass” for its selflessness and strength.

In the original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the scene in question shows Snow White kneeling by her bedside after a joyful day with the dwarfs. She praying humbly, saying, “Bless the seven little men who have been so kind to me. And may my dreams come true. Amen. And please make Grumpy like me.” This moment, Zegler suggests, showcases Snow White’s compassion and her determination to spread kindness even to those who may not reciprocate it. While Zegler didn’t confirm whether her version of Snow White in the live-action remake will include a similar prayer scene, she did hint that the new adaptation will modernize the character, giving her a more active role in shaping her own happily-ever-after.

A Modern Snow White: Active, Empowered, and Kind

Zegler emphasized that the new Snow White film will depart from the 1937 version by portraying the character as a proactive individual on a mission to achieve her own happiness. “Snow White is on her own mission and she falls in love along the way, which is really awesome,” she explained. “That’s how life happens. You’re never looking for it, and then, all of a sudden, it’s there. You can have it all. It’s all possible. Because you are everything you’ve been wishing and waiting for.” This interpretation suggests a more modern Snow White, one who takes charge of her destiny rather than waiting for a prince to rescue her.

The actress also highlighted the importance of Snow White as a symbol of kindness in the face of adversity. “Anger can be a powerful emotion, but it doesn’t bring the brightest future,” Zegler said. “Snow White chooses kindness and still makes change. Power takes many forms.” Zegler expressed her hope that the film will inspire a “new dawn of kindness and acceptance” in a world increasingly divided by hate. Her words reflect the film’s central message of love and resilience, emphasizing the transformative power of compassion.

Controversy Surrounding the Live-Action Remake

Despite its uplifting message, the live-action Snow White has been mired in controversy since its announcement. One of the most notable criticisms came from actor Peter Dinklage, who slammed the film’s representation of dwarfism. Dinklage argued that retelling the story with live actors overlooks the opportunities it could have created for actors with dwarfism. Additionally, Zegler faced backlash in 2022 for comments she made about her portrayal of Snow White in an interview with Variety.

In that interview, Zegler stated, “It’s no longer 1937, and we absolutely wrote a Snow White that’s not gonna be saved by the prince, and she’s not gonna be dreaming about true love.” Instead, she described her Snow White as a character who “is dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be and the leader that her late father told her she could be if she was fearless, fair, brave, and true.” While Zegler’s comments were meant to highlight the film’s modern take on Snow White’s character, they sparked criticism from some who felt that the changes strayed too far from the original story.

Diversity, Inclusion, and the Future of Representation

Zegler’s casting as Snow White has also been a subject of debate, particularly due to racist remarks from online trolls. In the original animated film, Snow White is depicted as a white woman, while Zegler is of Colombian and Polish descent. Despite the backlash, Zegler has remained proud of what her casting represents. “My only prayer for the future of diversity and inclusion is that we invest in and nurture talent no matter what they look like,” she told Allure. Her words underscore her commitment to representation in Hollywood and her belief in the importance of diverse storytelling.

Director Marc Webb also praised Zegler’s performance, describing her as the perfect fit for the role. “She understood the Disney tone I was after—a delicate blend of ‘fairy tale’ with