She’s 23. She got famous faster than most of us can finish a cup of coffee. And like anyone who suddenly finds themselves in the Hollywood blender, she’s made some clumsy comments. She’s tried to be funny and missed. She’s come off more “TikTok sass” than “Disney media trained royalty.” But instead of collectively going “eh, she’s young,” the internet hit the big red button labeled “CRUSH HER.”
Yes, she shaded the OG Snow White. Was that annoying? Sure. Was it villain origin story material? Come on. Let’s not pretend she burned down Cinderella’s castle.
Here’s some context: Rachel Zegler is a Gen Z actress in a time where everything, every expression, outfit, and sigh is picked apart like it’s the finale of True Detective. She’s expected to carry the weight of diversity, youth culture, and woke politics while also, you know, being likable enough for morning talk shows. That’s a lot of hats for someone still figuring out how to do red carpet interviews.
So when she doesn’t stick the landing in a press junket, the internet decides she’s arrogant. Entitled. Ungrateful.
Newsflash: if the worst thing we can say about a young woman is that she’s “kind of annoying in interviews,” maybe we all need a hobby.
The real issue? We’re addicted to public takedowns. Especially when the target is a woman. Anne Hathaway was “too earnest.” Brie Larson had “opinions.” Jennifer Lawrence stopped being quirky at just the wrong moment. It’s like the internet spins a wheel and, surprise, this month’s “woman we hate for being slightly imperfect” is Rachel.
What makes Zegler’s case even trickier is that she’s not just young and famous, she’s a Latina actress taking on roles that trigger identity debates. Snow White was already a minefield. And now she’s starring as Evita in the West End, yes, the iconic Eva Perón, who is not some random white Disney princess, but an actual historical Latina figure with a complicated legacy. And still, the discourse machine keeps churning.
Every casting is a referendum. Every quote becomes a Twitter thread. Every tiny misstep is upgraded to Defcon 1.
And let’s not kid ourselves. This isn’t just about bad takes or misquotes. It’s about how quick we are to turn young women into symbols of everything we don’t like about the internet, the industry, or ourselves. Sometimes, dragging someone is easier than dealing with our own stuff.
Now, you don’t have to be a Zegler superfan. You don’t have to watch every interview and nod in agreement. But maybe, just maybe, we could all stop pretending she’s a criminal mastermind. She’s an actress. She’s figuring it out. And judging by the fact that she’s currently singing her heart out as Eva Perón on the West End stage, she’s doing just fine.
Look, we can be critical of public figures. That’s healthy. But there’s a difference between critique and crucifixion. Between “that was a weird thing to say” and “I hope your movie flops and your career ends.”
The next time a clip of Zegler saying something awkward goes viral, ask yourself: if I were 23, with cameras in my face and a million strangers dissecting my every word, would I do better? Would you?
Because here’s the thing. Most of us have said dumb things. The difference is we didn’t do it in front of the world.
And if your biggest crime is being a little cringey while also being talented and ambitious? Then you’re probably doing okay.
So maybe it’s time we let Rachel Zegler live. Let her sing. Let her stumble. Let her be 23 without turning her into a meme for clout.
Because the internet already has enough villains. We don’t need to invent new ones just because we’re bored.
