The live action of Disney’s Snow White has been shrouded in controversy amid its chaotic press tour. 

The promotional tour started with a ‘secret’ European premiere in Spain, where Zegler was the only star present, leading to rumors of cast feuds and making it a turbulent journey from the beginning.

American star Zegler, 23, plays the titular lead in the remake while Israeli actress Gadot, 39, plays the Evil Queen.  

But their on-screen feud appears to have spilled out into real life, owing to the pair’s opposing views on the Israel–Palestinian conflict. 

Eyebrows were raised when Disney skipped a UK premiere in favour of a VIP event in a remote Spanish castle with limited press, at which Evil Queen Gadot was noticeably absent. 

Zegler jetted off to a remote castle in Segovia, Spain, to perform for around 100 select ‘VIPs’ which included influencers.

The live action of Disney’s Snow White has been shrouded in controversy amid its chaotic press tour – and it seems tension is also brewing between its stars (Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot seen earlier this month)

From a ‘secret’ European premiere held in Spain with Zegler the only star in attendance (Pictured) to rumours of cast feuds, its promotional tour has so far been a bumpy one 

Rather than the usual list of major news outlets flocking to the event, local Spanish influencers and families from the small city of Segovia, which boasts a population of just 51,000, were among the chosen ‘VIPs’ in attendance.

Zegler’s co-star Gadot was also absent, with only director Marc Webb accompanying Zegler to the event.

Later this week, the cast will return to the States, with Zegler and Gadot expected attend a pre-party and screening at Los Angeles’ El Capitan Theatre on March 15, where ‘coverage will be limited to photographers and a house crew’.

‘Disney is leaning towards having influencers to interview Rachel and Gal for promotion days on Sunday and Monday,’ an industry insider told Page Six. ‘They want to concentrate on the content.’

Rumours of a feud between Zegler and Gadot was sparked after the pair were both vocal in their support for opposite sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

It came to a head when the Snow White teaser trailer was released last summer and some fans took issue with the casting. 

Some were baffled by the decision to cast a Latina actress to portray the famously ‘fair-skinned’ character who is known for being ‘as white as snow’. 

Others took issue with casting Jewish-Israeli actress Gadot amid the current war – with pro-Palestine viewers claiming her inclusion calls for a boycott while conversely pro-Israel viewers claimed it was offensive to cast her in an ‘evil’ role. 

American star Zegler, 23, plays the titular lead in the remake while Israeli actress Gadot, 39, plays the Evil Queen

Eyebrows were raised when Disney skipped a UK premiere in favour of a VIP event in a remote Spanish castle with limited press – with Gadot noticeably absent 

Later this week, the cast will return to the States, with Zegler and Gadot expected attend a pre-party and screening at Los Angeles’ El Capitan Theatre 

Flames were then fanned when Zegler shared the trailer on her own social media channels and thanked fans for sending her support. 

In a follow-up tweet, she penned: ‘and always remember, free Palestine.’

Zegler has publicly taken a pro-Palestinian stance since 2021, sharing several tweets and posts urging fans to donate to emergency aid for Gaza.

Speaking to Variety, Zegler previously said: ‘I can’t watch children die. I don’t think that should be a hot take.’

Yet some Israeli publications took exception to Zegler’s plea for a ‘free Palestine’ and suggested she had insulted Gadot.  

While Gadot – who served in the IDF for two years, including during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war – did not respond publicly to Zegler’s comment, she raised eyebrows with a post of her own after the trailer was released. 

She posted on her Instagram story a photo of Martin Luther King Jr. with his quote: ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’

Above the image, she wrote: ‘Only love can save the world.’

Flames were then fanned when Zegler shared the trailer on her own social media channels and thanked fans for sending her support, adding: ‘and always remember, free palestine’

While Gadot – who served in the IDF for two years, including during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war (pictured) – did not respond publicly to Zegler’s comment, she raised eyebrows with a post of her own after the trailer was released

While Gadot did not respond publicly to Zegler’s comment she raised eyebrows with a post of her own after the trailer was released, posting about love ‘driving out hate’ 

Gadot appeared to make a pointed dig at Zegler with her X account briefly reposting a tweet that read: ‘Trying to campaign on the head of your co-star, who actually lives through war, just so you’ll look cooler with the kids, is really pathetic’

Days later she appeared to make a pointed dig at Zegler. 

According to Times of Israel reporter Amy Spiro, Gadot’s X account briefly reposted a tweet that read ‘Trying to campaign on the head of your co-star, who actually lives through war, just so you’ll look cooler with the kids, is really pathetic.’ 

While Gadot and Zegler have made it clear they have opposing views on Israel-Palestine they have not spoken out about any supposed feud between the pair. 

Miss Israel 2004 said of the conflict earlier this month: ‘None of us can ignore the explosion of Jew hatred around the world anymore. 

‘We have had enough of Jew hatred we will confront anti-Semitism. We will call it out, but but we will never let it, not only, defeat us but define us because our love is stronger than their hate.’

Hours later, Gadot wrote that this moment is about everyone ‘refusing to be silent in the face of anti-Semitism.’

‘October 7 was a wake-up call, but it also reminded us of our resilience and unbreakable bond,’ the Israel Defense Forces veteran wrote on Instagram.