Hollywood loves a good hero-versus-villain story, but usually, that drama stays on the screen. With Disney’s live-action Snow White, the real tension seemed to happen once the cameras stopped rolling. You’ve probably seen the headlines. One day they're smiling at D23, and the next, there are reports that they "have nothing in common" and basically aren't speaking. It’s messy.
Honestly, it’s one of the most bizarre press cycles in recent memory. You have Rachel Zegler, the theater-kid-turned-superstar who isn't afraid to voice her opinions, and Gal Gadot, the established Wonder Woman icon who carries herself with a very specific kind of poised, veteran energy. Putting them together was always going to be an experiment in chemistry.
The Snow White Elephant in the Room
So, what’s the deal? Are Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot actually feuding, or is this just the internet doing what it does best—pitting women against each other?
The truth is somewhere in the middle. They aren't "feuding" in the sense of throwing shade in the hair and makeup trailer. But they definitely aren't best friends. Sources close to the production have been pretty blunt: the two actresses are just in completely different stages of life. Gadot is a 40-year-old mother of four with a massive global brand. Zegler is in her early 20s, navigating the height of her "it girl" moment and the intense scrutiny that comes with it.
Why the "Nothing in Common" Narrative Stuck
It’s not just about age, though. It’s about approach.
Rachel Zegler got into some hot water early on for being a bit too honest about the original 1937 film. She called the Prince a "stalker" and suggested the new version wouldn't be about a love story at all. To some fans, it sounded like she hated the material.
Gal Gadot, on the other hand, is a pro at the "studio-friendly" answer. Reports surfaced that Gadot didn't quite get why Zegler was being so critical of the project they were both hired to promote. Basically, Gadot’s vibe was: "We’re here to do a job, let’s be professional." Zegler’s vibe was: "Let’s deconstruct the patriarchy of fairy tales."
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You can see where the friction comes from.
The Political Divide No One Expected
Then things got heavy. Very heavy.
Outside of the movie, the two stars found themselves on opposite ends of one of the most polarizing global issues: the Israel-Palestine conflict. Gal Gadot is Israeli, a former IDF soldier, and has been a vocal advocate for her country and the release of hostages. Rachel Zegler has been equally vocal on social media with a "Free Palestine" stance.
In 2024 and 2025, as the Snow White marketing machine tried to gear up, these personal convictions clashed in the public eye. When Zegler tweeted "Free Palestine" right after a trailer drop, people noticed. When Gadot posted about light driving out darkness, people looked for subtext.
It turned the movie into a proxy for a much larger cultural war. Some groups called for a boycott because of Gadot; others called for a boycott because of Zegler. Disney was stuck in the middle of a PR nightmare that had nothing to do with poisoned apples.
Professionalism vs. Friendship
Despite the noise, they’ve managed to stay professional. They presented at the Oscars together. They did the big Los Angeles premiere at the El Capitan Theater.
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If you watch their interviews, like the "Ultimate Disney Quiz" they did together, they’re cordial. They laugh. They talk about "whistling while you work." But it lacks that "sisterly" spark you see with other co-stars. It feels like two coworkers who respect each other's talent but don't hang out after the shift ends. And honestly? That’s okay. Most of us don't want to grab drinks with every single person we work with.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Feud"
People want there to be a "villain." They want to say Rachel is "too woke" or Gal is "too traditional."
But Hollywood is a business. The "tension" was likely amplified by the fact that the movie was delayed for an entire year. Originally set for March 2024, it didn't hit theaters until March 21, 2025. That’s a long time for rumors to fester.
When a movie costs $200 million, every single word the actors say is scrutinized. Zegler’s "theater kid energy"—which can come off as glib or overly performative—clashed with the internet’s habit of outrage. Gadot’s more reserved, "classic movie star" persona made her seem like the foil.
The Impact on the Movie
Did the drama hurt the box office? It’s hard to say.
The film itself received surprisingly decent reviews for its visuals and Zegler’s singing. Her voice is, quite literally, world-class. And Gadot seemed to have a blast playing a villain for once. She called the Evil Queen "delicious."
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But the "culture war" fatigue is real. By the time the movie actually came out, many people were more interested in the behind-the-scenes gossip than the actual CGI magical creatures (which replaced the traditional seven dwarfs).
Lessons from the Snow White Press Cycle
If you’re following this saga, there are a few things to keep in mind about how modern celebrity works:
- Social Media is a Landmine: An actress's personal views are now inseparable from the characters they play.
- Chemistry Isn't Mandatory: Actors don't have to be friends to make a movie work, but the public expects them to be.
- The "Hate-Watch" is Real: A lot of the engagement around this film came from people who wanted to see it fail, which paradoxically kept it in the news cycle for years.
To really understand the Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot dynamic, you have to look past the "catfight" tropes. It’s a story about two women from different generations and different worlds trying to sell a fairy tale while living in a very complicated reality.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the film itself, focus on the performance. Zegler's "Waiting on a Wish" is a genuine standout, regardless of what you think of her tweets. As for the drama? It’ll likely be studied by PR students for the next decade as a case study in how not to handle a long-lead movie rollout.
Check out the official soundtrack to hear the vocal work for yourself; it’s the one area where almost everyone agrees they delivered.