Gal Gadot Speaks Out on Controversial ‘Snow White’ Fallout, Claims Political Pressure Contributed to Box Office Disaster

Disney’s live-action Snow White has become one of the most talked-about films in recent years, largely due to the controversies surrounding its release. The film, starring Rachel Zegler as the iconic princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, has faced a multitude of challenges since its announcement.

From racial backlash against Zegler’s casting to criticism of the film’s approach to the beloved fairytale, Snow White never managed to escape the shadows of controversy. Despite the star power of Gadot and Zegler, the film’s reception and box office performance were far from what Disney had hoped.

Related: Disney Fans Confirm They Wanted To See ‘Snow White’ All Along

But now, in a new interview, Gadot is offering insight into the factors she believes contributed to the film’s underperformance, including the political pressure surrounding the cast and their comments on current global issues.

She’s making it clear that the controversy wasn’t just about the story or the performances, but also the wider political climate.

From the very start, Snow White faced criticism. Zegler, who is of Polish and Colombian descent, was harshly attacked online by some fans who felt she didn’t match the traditional portrayal of the princess. This backlash was just the beginning.

Related: Rachel Zegler Breaks Silence on ‘Snow White’ Controversy

The controversy escalated when Zegler made public statements suggesting that her version of Snow White would be more proactive, perhaps even questioning the necessity of the Prince character altogether. These comments sparked debates and left many questioning why she would take on such an iconic role if she had such fundamental issues with its storyline.

The problems didn’t stop there. Rumors of tension between Zegler and Gadot circulated, fueling further speculation about the film’s troubled production. At one point, Zegler took to social media to thank fans for supporting the film, but the message ended with a controversial “free Palestine” statement.

This sparked tensions due to Gadot’s Israeli background and military service, leaving fans wondering if there was more at play than just a typical behind-the-scenes spat.

Despite these controversies, Gadot insists that the film’s failure cannot be solely attributed to those issues. In an exclusive interview, the actress stated that external political pressures were a significant factor in how the movie was received.

Gal Gadot explained that while she loved the film, she felt that it was unfairly affected by public opinion regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, and that this external pressure influenced how the movie was perceived.

Related: Rachel Zegler Faces Backlash from Producer’s Son, Accused of Hurting ‘Snow White’

In a new interview, the actress said:

“What’s happening in all kinds of industries and also in Hollywood, is that there’s a lot of pressure on celebrities to bring up things against Israel.

You can always explain and try to give people in the world a context about what’s happening [in Israel] and what the reality is here, but in the end people decide for themselves. I was disappointed that the movie was greatly affected by that and didn’t do well at the box office.”

Gal Gadot gave a big interview tonite on Israeli TV, on the pressure in Hollywood to speak out against Israel pic.twitter.com/fBNuLAmeFt

— Betar Worldwide (@Betar_USA) August 16, 2025

Indeed, the film’s box office performance was disappointing, with Snow White earning a mere 38% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 70% audience score. Financial experts estimate that Disney lost nearly $115 million on the project, which has already caused ripples through the company’s future plans. The failure of Snow White has reportedly led to Disney putting a halt to its plans for a live-action remake of Tangled (2010).

The pressure to take a stance on international issues is something many celebrities face, and it’s clear that Gadot, who has a strong connection to her Israeli roots, felt the impact of that pressure during the promotion of Snow White.

The film was already facing internal challenges, but the added political context undoubtedly influenced how it was received by audiences. Gadot’s interview offers a glimpse into the complexities of modern-day Hollywood, where public statements can have far-reaching consequences beyond just the box office.

What do you think caused Snow White to struggle so badly at the box office? Was it the negative publicity surrounding the film’s star, or could political pressures have played a larger role in its failure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!