Rachel Zegler, known for her role in Disney's recent remake of "Snow White," has been invited to the prestigious Met Gala in 2025 but will not attend due to rehearsals for the West End production of "Evita" in London. The actress, who is set to play famous Argentine politician Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd's revival of the musical, expressed her excitement for the role as the rehearsal period coincides with the Met Gala, which takes place on May 5.
The 23-year-old actress has faced significant backlash following her remarks about the "Snow White" film, which has been met with poor critical reception and disappointment at the box office. After its release on March 21, the film grossed only $148.7 million globally, despite its production and marketing costs exceeding $350 million. Critics have given it a 40% approval rating, while audiences rated it significantly higher at 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, but it garnered a meagre score of 1.6 out of 10 on IMDb from over 316,000 ratings.
Since the backlash began, Zegler has kept a relatively low profile, stepping back from social media interactions. Her comments, particularly those that described the prince character in "Snow White" as a "stalker," have landed her in hot water and prompted substantial conversation around the film's themes and narrative choices. Additionally, her tweets—including one expressing support for Palestine—sparked further controversy leading to increased security concerns for her co-star Gal Gadot and internal discussions at Disney regarding Zegler's role within the production.
Despite the ongoing controversies, Zegler remains on the guest list for fashion's biggest night, which this year is themed "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," with a dress code of "Tailored for You." The event is set to see a host of celebrities including Lizzo, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and A$AP Rocky serving as co-chairs, alongside LeBron James as honorary chair.
In attendance, alongside Zegler's absence, are Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, who are reportedly dealing with a legal dispute over their film "It Ends With Us", and supermodel Gisele Bündchen, who has recently welcomed her third child and declined the invitation.
Zegler's previous appearances at the Met Gala included standout ensembles from prominent designers: a gold-patterned Dior haute couture dress in 2021 and a blue Michael Kors gown in 2024. As the countdown to the Gala continues, her focus remains firmly on her theatrical venture in London, all while the fallout from "Snow White" continues to shape her public perception in the entertainment industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services