Key Takeaways
- Despite social media rumors, Rachel Zegler has not been fired by ICM Partners or Maybelline and is not blacklisted in Hollywood.
- Zegler has faced controversy due to her comments about the original Snow White film and her political views, making her a target for backlash.
- At 23, Zegler’s career continues with upcoming projects, including starring in Evita in London’s West End.
Social media rumors have recently exploded, claiming that actress Rachel Zegler has been fired by her agent, dropped by Maybelline, and is now “blacklisted” in Hollywood.
But how much of this is actually true? The short answer: None of it.
ICM Partners Still Represents Rachel Zegler
Rachel Zegler, who rose to fame starring in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, remains represented by ICM Partners, a top talent agency she signed with back in January 2020.
Reports from that time suggest that Zegler’s signing was highly competitive, with five major agencies vying to represent her.
Spielberg himself, along with West Side Story producer Kristie Macosko Krieger, helped Zegler navigate her agency decision.
Far from any falling out, Zegler praised her agents just a few months ago in June 2024, saying:
“My agents are pretty great.“
Via X
Clearly, there’s no evidence her team has dropped her.
What About Maybelline?
Another part of the viral rumor claimed that beauty giant Maybelline had fired Zegler, supposedly costing her “$10 million a year.”
There is no credible evidence that Zegler had a standing $10 million-a-year contract with Maybelline in the first place — and there’s certainly no proof that any such deal was canceled.
View on Threads
Again, the rumors appear to be fabricated and entirely unsubstantiated.
The false claims seem to have started from a social media post, which stated:
“Disney’s failed ‘Snow White’ actress Rachel Zegler has been fired by her agent and has zero prospects moving forward. She earned herself a spot on Hollywood’s blacklist, and that’s hard to do without being Susan Sarandon.“
Via Threads
The post attacked Zegler personally, linking the alleged firings to her political opinions and controversies surrounding her new Disney film, Snow White.
The Snow White Controversy Explained
Whether you love or hate Disney’s new live-action Snow White, there’s no denying that Rachel Zegler has become the lightning rod of its controversy.
Critics of the film, and Zegler, blame her for the movie’s underwhelming box office and poor reviews (though some U.S. outlets were more forgiving).
Adding fuel to the fire were Zegler’s past comments criticizing the original 1937 Snow White, describing the Prince’s behavior as “weird” and calling the film “extremely dated” regarding its portrayal of women.
She also stirred up political controversy, most notably after posting “Free Palestine” on social media and making comments critical of Donald Trump and his voters.
Film critics and media experts argue that Zegler’s treatment is part of a larger pattern of backlash against young actors, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds (Zegler is Latina).
Critic Kelechi Ehenulo notes that actors of color often become “targets for backlash” in today’s polarized climate.
Others, like Victoria Luxford, suggest that Zegler’s critiques of the original Snow White were misunderstood and that nostalgia-driven audiences would never respond well to such changes.
Meanwhile, Anna Smith of the Girls On Film podcast highlights a common theme:
“Women in the public eye, especially young women, are often treated more harshly when controversies arise.“
What’s Next For Rachel Zegler?
Despite the controversies and noise, Rachel Zegler’s career is far from over.
She is set to star in Evita in London’s West End this summer, and she recently delighted younger audiences by reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story, which shows her range and ongoing appeal.
At just 23 years old and already a Golden Globe winner, Zegler’s future remains bright.
While the Snow White drama may have temporarily overshadowed her, she is clearly a part of Hollywood’s future.
