Rachel Zegler is relatively new to Hollywood, but she's no stranger to controversy. As she prepares for the world to see her starring role in Disney's live action Snow White—a role that caused a lot of racist backlash as some felt that she wasn't “fair” enough to play the iconic Disney princess—she reflected on her experience in Hollywood as a young Latina actress, including the time she had to prove her ethnicity to get a role.
She may be attacked by some as being too Latina to play Snow White, but she says that not so long ago, she was being asked to prove her Columbian heritage to be cast as Maria West Side Story. “There's confusion because I don't have a single ounce of Latin in my name,” Rachel said in an interview with Allure. “When I was in the running for Maria in West Side Story, they kept calling to ask if I was legit. I remember thinking, ‘Do you want me to bring my abuelita in? I will. I'll bring her into the studio if you want to meet her.’” Things, it seem, did not go that far, but the experience of “having a bunch of white executives have you prove your identity to them,” was not one she's forgotten.
The actress, a proud Colombian on her mother's side, added, “It's an interesting experience being part of that diaspora in the current climate we live in.” (An understatement for sure, but you can't blame her for not wanting to get too political right now!)
Elsewhere in the interview, Rachel addressed the backlash to her casting as Snow White, expressing hope that future performers will face less pushback. “My only prayer for the future of diversity and inclusion is that we invest in and nurture talent no matter what they look like.”
Who knows when Rachel's dream future will come to fruition, but in the meantime I think some of that future talent pool will be be buying tickets to see her bring Snow White to life, and that's a win.
