Last week, I mentioned the new Snow White movie and said I would discuss it in a later article next week. Welp, here we are! Don’t listen to the critics or the public; go watch it with a fresh and open mind. Pretend you don’t know any of the controversies, and see what you think for yourself. Stop letting the media influence your own thoughts! Remember last week’s article on breaking free from the “herd mentality”?!

Controversy Surrounding Disney’s New “Snow White” Movie: A Closer Look at the Backlash and Its Impact: The recent release of Disney’s live-action Snow White has sparked a wave of controversy and heated debate, with many weighing in on various aspects of the film. I really wish people would get this passionate about actual important things; like the war in Ukraine that’s still going on, to name one. At the center of the uproar is the film’s young lead actress, 23-year old Rachel Zegler, who plays the titular character. While many were excited about the film’s modern take on the beloved fairy tale, some fans found themselves deeply divided by Zegler’s comments, the changes to the storyline, and even her casting as the iconic princess.

The Actress’ Controversial Comments: The storm started brewing when Rachel Zegler gave an interview in which she made disparaging remarks about the original 1937 Snow White movie. While Zegler was voicing her excitement for the more contemporary approach to the story, her critique of the classic animated film rubbed some Disney fans the wrong way. In particular, her comments about the movie being outdated and her desire to give the character a more modern and relatable identity did not sit well with those who cherish the original.This quickly snowballed into further controversy when Zegler also expressed her political views during a crucial press release interview. Her comments alienated a significant portion of the audience, particularly Trump supporters and others who preferred to keep politics out of entertainment discussions.

Changing the Storyline: The New Snow White’s Backstory: Adding to the tension surrounding the film was the decision to change key elements of the Snow White story. The character’s backstory was altered to explain that she was named “Snow White” because she was born during a snowstorm, rather than because of her pale skin. This change upset a number of fans who felt the character’s appearance and iconic name were being manipulated for the sake of political correctness. For those who grew up with the original, these adjustments seemed unnecessary, and many questioned whether the new narrative was trying too hard to appease modern sensibilities. I honestly am all for it!!!! THIS is what we need to be showing our kids and especially our young little girls. I do not see the problem with modernizing it to be relatable to them! The people who are upset over the changes really need to take a deeper look within themselves. Reflection is key so that real evolution can occur in our society. The uproar about this film should be alarming to any one that is trying to progress into a better future.

The Debate Over Beauty Standards: Another facet of the controversy centered around the actress’s appearance. While Rachel Zegler is undeniably talented (absolutely LOVED her singing! She is a very talented vocalist), there was a vocal group of critics who argued that she did not meet the traditional beauty standards expected of a Disney princess. That really irritates me on so many levels. This definitely aligns with last week’s article. If you have not gotten a chance to read it, I highly recommend that you take a gander! These comments were not just hurtful but also deeply frustrating for those who recognize the importance of inner beauty—something the original Snow White also taught viewers. The classic story of Snow White emphasized that beauty is not just skin deep, and her ultimate triumph over the Evil Queen demonstrated that true beauty lies in kindness, courage, and goodness. Yet, these critics seemed to miss the point entirely, focusing solely on her physical appearance and perpetuating harmful stereotypes! That should be enough evidence to show that our world IS in fact, corrupt.

No Prince Charming: A Self-Saving Snow White: Perhaps the most progressive change in the new Snow White is the character’s arc, where Snow White does not rely on a prince to save her. Instead, she saves herself and the kingdom in the end! Refreshing, I think! While some audiences were irked by the lack of a traditional prince charming figure, others celebrated this update as a powerful message of empowerment. For a modern generation of young girls, seeing a heroine who can stand on her own and fight for her own future is a message worth embracing. It’s disheartening that some viewers seemed to overlook this important shift in favor of clinging to outdated gender roles. The absence of a prince wasn’t a slight against romance, but rather an opportunity to show that women—whether princesses or not—are capable of shaping their own destinies! Powerful!

Personal Reflection: A Lesson in Judgement: I went to the movie with my 7-year-old daughter, not knowing about the controversy surrounding it. To our surprise, we absolutely loved it and wanted to watch it again, right after! The music was outstanding, the acting was heartfelt, and the lessons about self-worth, kindness, and courage were empowering for young girls everywhere! After sharing my review on Facebook, I was taken aback by the flood of negative responses—many focused not on the movie itself, but on the actress’s appearance, her comments, and her personal views. It was startling to see how quickly people judged Zegler’s character without giving the film a fair chance. The harshness of online discourse was a real eye-opener. People were so quick to dismiss the film because of preconceived notions about the actress and her political opinions, missing the positive messages the movie had to offer. It was also disheartening to see how judgmental people can be based on appearance, a sad reminder of the world we live in! The fact that an actress’s off-screen persona might jeopardize the success of a movie was both frustrating and illuminating. It’s a tough lesson, but one I had to learn—our opinions are powerful, and they can be damaging if expressed at the wrong time and in the wrong way.

The Impact on the Cast and Crew: The controversy took its toll not just on Zegler but also on the entire film production team. In a heartfelt article, the son of the movie’s director shared how the backlash had affected the cast and crew, many of whom had poured their hearts into creating a film they believed in. The comments and criticism were disheartening, as they overshadowed the hard work of everyone involved. This reinforces an important point: while it’s crucial to voice our opinions, we must also be mindful of how and when we share them, especially when they could harm the work of others. Through this experience, I learned a lot for myself too!

Conclusion: A Movie Worth Watching: Despite the controversy surrounding Disney’s Snow White, I stand by my initial impression of the film. It was an engaging, meaningful, and empowering experience that I would happily recommend to anyone! It’s unfortunate that some people let external drama and political opinions cloud their judgment, preventing them from appreciating the movie for what it is: a tale of strength, resilience, and self-worth. To those who dismissed it based on preconceived notions or personal biases, I urge you to take a step back and reflect on the real message this movie conveys. At the end of the day, Snow White isn’t about beauty, politics, or who said what—it’s about teaching young girls that they are capable of anything, and that true beauty comes from within. And that, in my opinion, is the most important lesson of all.

This is a weekly segment by Marisa Silva Rocha, fadista, community cultural activist, and proud Portuguese-American who regularly contributes to NOVIDADES. We thank Marisa for her contributions and congratulate her on her many talents.