Is Rachel Zegler going Sharks vs. Jets with her costar? The Snow White star recently reflected on the impact the Disney project had on her life and, over the course of multiple social media posts, praised the film’s cast and crew for their hard work. However, the 23-year-old’s glaring omission of costar Gal Gadot has fueled ongoing speculation of a feud between the actresses.
“This movie was a life-changing experience that has held about four years of my career,” Rachel wrote in a March 20 Instagram post alongside behind-the-scenes photos of the cast and crew on set. “I became a real adult during the course of this film—learned hard lessons, did hard things, laughed, cried, turned 21, lived across the ocean from my family, made new friends, and completely fell in love with this group of people I got to work with for three magical summers.” She continued, “We had the greatest crew in the world on this movie. It cannot be overstated. This photo dump doesn’t even dig into the fun, the magic, and the love that was shared throughout this process. But it’s a start.”
In addition to no pictures or references of Gadot in the first heartfelt post, the West Side Story actress did not include her costar in a second tribute to her “daily magicians” from “both in front of and behind” the film’s camera. “It takes a village to bring stories like Snow White to the big screen and I loved this one so very much,” Rachel wrote in her second March 21 Instagram post. “Here’s a little glimpse into this family I came to care for deeply.”
Following the posts, fans wondered whether Gal’s absence was intentional, with one X (formerly Twitter) user writing in a translated post, “Disney is having a hard time trying to debunk the Rachel Zegler-Gal Gadot feud because Rachel posted 19 photos on Instagram thanking her co-stars for helping her grow during the 4-year process, but she didn't mention or post any photos of Gal.”
Though Rachel and Gal have not commented publicly on the rumored feud, they presented together at the Oscars on March 2 and both attended the Los Angeles premiere of the Disney remake on March 15. At a separate screening, Rachel also gushed about the film and shared her love for the cast and crew. "This is a movie that is so close to my heart,” she said in a March 17 Instagram video shared by Disney. “I auditioned for this movie when I was 19 years old and I am about to turn 24. So it's a really big chunk of my life, and about five of the seven years of my career, which is crazy.” She added, “I love everybody in this movie so dearly."
While the rift between Rachel and Gal may only be rumored, it's noteworthy that tensions could arise from more than just social media interactions. Reports have emerged indicating that the two actresses hold opposing political views, particularly regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Since the onset of the conflict, Zegler has been vocal in her support for the "Free Palestine" movement on her social media, while Gadot, an Israeli citizen, expressed her solidarity with Israel, stating, "I stand with Israel; you should too." Such disparities have led industry insiders to speculate about the potential for conflict between the two actresses due to their age differences and political stances.
The situation has sparked considerable public intrigue not just for the potential feud itself, but for the broader implications of how political beliefs can impact professional relationships in the entertainment industry. Both actresses have, in various ways, received pushback for their views. Following her remarks, Gadot faced criticism and calls for a boycott of the film due to her public statements supporting Israel.
As Zegler and Gadot navigate their respective careers and the public’s perception of them, the dynamics of their relationship remain closely scrutinized by fans and critics alike. The speculation surrounding their interactions attests to the complications that can arise when personal beliefs intersect with professional obligations. This evolving narrative is reflective of a contemporary reality where political views can sometimes seem to overshadow artistic collaborations.
Ultimately, the success and reception of Snow White will likely depend on how audiences perceive the individual contributions of Zegler and Gadot, as well as whether any real animosity exists between the two actresses. With ongoing discussions about representation, storytelling, and the personal lives of stars, the public will undoubtedly continue to watch this story unfold.
