Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot made a stunning appearance at the Los Angeles premiere of Snow White, which took place at the El Capitan Theatre on March 15. Directed by Marc Webb, the film stars 23-year-old Zegler in the role of Snow White, while 39-year-old Gadot takes on the role of the Evil Queen.
To celebrate the movie’s release, both actresses chose outfits that reflected their characters. Zegler dazzled in a pale pink strapless gown, featuring a corseted bodice adorned with butterfly designs and a flowing skirt. Her elegant updo and diamond necklace completed her fairytale look.
Gadot opted for a dramatic black lace dress with a ruffled miniskirt layered over a longer skirt. She wore her hair down in a sleek style and added a striking jeweled necklace with a tassel to her outfit.
The Los Angeles premiere follows an earlier event in Europe, where Zegler performed "Waiting on a Wish," one of the original songs from the film. Promotional events for the movie have been kept low-key, partly due to previous backlash since the film’s announcement in September 2022.
Zegler has faced criticism for both her casting and her comments about the original 1937 animated film. When her casting was announced, some reacted negatively, raising concerns over her portrayal of the iconic Disney princess as she is of Latinx descent, being of Colombian and Polish heritage.
She later mentioned that her interpretation of Snow White in the new film differs significantly from the original. In her view, Snow White’s name now stems from her survival as a baby during a snowstorm, symbolizing resilience rather than just her physical appearance.
In media interviews, Zegler has also expressed her opinion about the original animation, labeling it as somewhat "dated." Responding to criticism, she recognized that people’s passion for the character is indicative of how deeply they care about the story.
Meanwhile, Peter Dinklage, known for his role in Game of Thrones, has voiced his concerns over the film’s portrayal of dwarfs, calling it "hypocritical" to cast a Latina actress while still adhering to the classic narrative of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Disney has stated that they are consulting with members of the dwarfism community to create a more sensitive representation of these characters in the remake.
David Hand, son of one of the original film’s co-directors, has also expressed disapproval, stating that the new version lacks respect for the original story.
Snow White is set to hit theaters on March 21.
