Disney has cast Colombian-American actress Rachel Zegler as Snow White in its upcoming live-action adaptation, prompting the 20-year-old to hit back at critics who questioned a Latina playing the traditionally fair-skinned German character. The studio announced the casting on Tuesday, with production set to begin in 2022.
Zegler, who will soon star as Maria in Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story,' secured the role after an open audition process that saw 30,000 hopefuls. She took to social media to celebrate, writing in a since-deleted tweet: 'yes i am snow white no i am not bleaching my skin for the role.'
Director Marc Webb praised Zegler's 'extraordinary vocal abilities' and said her 'strength, intelligence and optimism will become an integral part of rediscovering the joy in this classic Disney fairytale.' The film will expand upon the original story and music, with new songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
Zegler's casting follows Disney's 2019 announcement that black singer Halle Bailey will play Ariel in 'The Little Mermaid.' It also comes over two decades after black singer Brandy played Cinderella in a 1997 live-action film. Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello is set to appear as Cinderella in a separate adaptation later this year.
