Danica Patrick, the former race car driver, recently shared her strong reaction to the disappointing box office performance of Disney’s live-action Snow White film, starring Rachel Zegler. On Sunday, March 30, 2025, Patrick reposted a video criticizing the film, adding a biting caption that read “Bye bye” on her Instagram Story. (Representatives for both Patrick and Zegler have been contacted for comment.)
The live-action remake of Disney’s iconic 1937 animated film, directed by Mark Webb, has struggled at the box office. Despite opening at No. 1, the film saw a dramatic 66% drop in earnings during its second weekend, grossing just $143.1 million globally out of its $250 million production budget. Snow White was overtaken by the Jason Statham thriller A Working Man for the top spot in its second weekend.
This underperformance is notable given Disney’s history of successful live-action remakes, including Beauty and the Beast (2017), The Lion King (2019), and Aladdin (2019), which each grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
Controversy Surrounding ‘Snow White’
Snow White has sparked significant controversy since its production. Rachel Zegler, 23, faced backlash for being cast as the titular princess, as the character was originally depicted as a white woman in the 1937 animated version. Additionally, actor Peter Dinklage voiced concerns about the portrayal of dwarfism in the film, and David Hand, the son of the original film’s director, criticized the remake as “woke” and “insulting” in a 2023 interview with The Telegraph.
Zegler also ignited debate with her comments about the film’s departure from the classic story. In a 2022 interview with Variety, she explained that this new version of Snow White would not be “saved by the prince” or dreaming of “true love.” Instead, she said, Snow White would pursue her own goals, aspiring to become a leader as inspired by her late father’s wisdom. “It’s just a really incredible story for young people everywhere to see themselves in,” Zegler said.
Zegler Responds to Criticism and Feud Rumors
Despite the film’s box office struggles, Zegler has remained defiant in the face of criticism. In a recent interview with Vogue Mexico, she interpreted the backlash as a sign of the film’s passionate fanbase, saying, “What an honor to be a part of something that people feel so passionately about. We’re not always going to agree with everyone, and all we can do is our best.”
At the film’s Los Angeles premiere, Zegler posed for photos with co-star Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen. However, fans noticed that Zegler excluded Gadot from an Instagram tribute she posted to the cast and crew on March 20, leading to rumors of a feud between the two actresses. Neither has publicly addressed the speculation.
In the Instagram post, Zegler shared her personal experience making the film, describing it as “life-changing” and reflecting on how her career had evolved since being cast at the age of 20. “Snow White is now in theaters. It’s a huge chunk of my heart and it’s now yours,” Zegler wrote, adding, “I hope you enjoy and feel the magic we were lucky enough to live each day.”
As Snow White continues its theatrical run, its box office performance remains closely watched amid ongoing controversies and mixed reactions
