Disney’s live-action Snow White was expected to be a magical retelling of a timeless story. But instead of enchanting fans, the movie became the center of controversy, disappointment, and online drama. Now, many viewers are saying that Gal Gadot’s performance as the Evil Queen was the film’s biggest problem—not Rachel Zegler, who played Snow White.
Let’s take a closer look at how the film unraveled, and why fans think Gal Gadot might be the real reason behind its failure.
The Box Office Numbers Were a Disaster
Snow White hit theaters on March 21, 2025, but instead of a grand opening, the film saw a shocking flop. It made only around $43 million in the U.S. and $44 million internationally during its opening weekend. With a budget reportedly over $250 million, the numbers fell far short of expectations.
Critics and fans weren’t kind either. The movie received a low 41% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a stunningly bad 1.5 rating on IMDb—the lowest ever for a Disney live-action remake. Many blamed weak storytelling and stiff performances, especially pointing fingers at Gal Gadot.
Gal Gadot Faces Harsh Criticism
Gal Gadot was expected to shine as the Evil Queen, a powerful and glamorous villain. But fans say her performance was anything but magical. Many described her acting as “wooden,” “emotionless,” and even “painfully over-the-top.”
Some critics said she delivered her lines like she was reading from a script for the first time. One viral post even joked that her acting “was Israelly bad,” mocking both her performance and her nationality. Another said it felt like watching a school play rather than a Disney blockbuster.
Political Controversy Fuels the Fire
Gal Gadot’s acting wasn’t the only reason she faced backlash. The Israeli actress has long been vocal about her support for Israel’s military. During the time of the film’s release, her political views sparked new outrage online, especially as global attention focused on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Many fans accused her of supporting violence, and harsh labels like “genocide cheerleader” began circulating on social media. Hashtags like #BoycottGalGadot quickly started trending, with some users even calling for her to be removed from Hollywood altogether.
Was Rachel Zegler Blamed Unfairly?
Before the film’s release, Rachel Zegler, who played Snow White, faced her own criticism. She made comments about the original 1937 version of the story, calling it outdated and saying her character would be “more independent” this time around. This upset some fans who love the classic version.
But after the movie flopped, the blame seemed to shift. Many fans now believe Disney unfairly used Zegler as a scapegoat to draw attention away from Gal Gadot’s poor performance and controversies. One viral tweet said, “Snow White flopped because Gal Gadot is an Israeli terrorist. Disney wants to blame Rachel Zegler.”
Rumors of Tension Behind the Scenes
It wasn’t just on-screen where things seemed cold. Reports say that Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot had tension during press events. Zegler openly supports Palestine, which may have caused clashes with Gadot. One Instagram comment from Zegler even referred to Gadot as a “professional pageant queen,” fueling rumors of conflict.
Things got so uncomfortable that Disney had to schedule separate appearances for them. They also increased Gadot’s security at public events. Clearly, not all was well behind the scenes.
Can Gal Gadot Recover Her Career?
Once celebrated as Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot is now facing one of her toughest moments in Hollywood. With online backlash, negative reviews, and growing calls for a boycott, her status as a top actress is at risk.
Still, the entertainment industry is known for forgiving its stars. If Gadot can move past this controversy and deliver a powerful performance in a future project, she might be able to win back fans. But for now, her image has taken a serious hit.
A Fairytale That Turned into a Nightmare
Snow White was supposed to be a heartwarming reboot of a Disney favorite. Instead, it became a symbol of Hollywood drama, failed casting choices, and the power of online voices.
Rachel Zegler may have made some questionable comments, but fans now say she wasn’t the real problem. To them, it was Gal Gadot’s performance—and the political baggage she brought with her—that truly poisoned the apple.
One thing’s clear: In the kingdom of public opinion, Gal Gadot is far from the fairest of them all.
The Information is Collected from BBC and Yahoo.
