EDITORIAL: Rachel Zegler PR Rewrite in Glamour Is Hollywood Fantasy at Its Finest

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Hollywood is known for taking difficult stories and making them seem much more appealing. But a recent profile of Rachel Zegler in Glamour, written by Helen Mirren, goes way beyond a simple makeover. It feels like the story was completely transformed and presented as something entirely natural and wholesome.

The article begins by declaring that Rachel Zegler is now a fully accepted and forgiven public figure.

She’s currently the most talked-about leading lady in London’s West End. The public’s enthusiastic embrace of her is remarkable – it’s being compared to the huge shift in public perception when Princess Diana famously wore her iconic ‘revenge dress’.

Honestly, when I read that, I could practically feel everyone in the movie world rolling their eyes at the same time. It was a total ‘seriously?’ moment for all of us fans!

Rachel Zegler is undoubtedly a talented performer with a strong voice and captivating stage presence. However, the idea that casting her somehow ‘redeems’ a past cultural misstep feels less like historical correction and more like a publicity-driven fantasy. It’s a manufactured narrative, not a genuine reassessment of the past.

Ignoring the Real Controversy

Mirren’s article simply echoes the official public relations message: Zegler is portrayed as a courageous person who’s being unfairly attacked by the media for speaking her mind and showing compassion.

Even the magazine Glamour portrays Rachel Zegler as a bold and independent spirit, describing her as young, direct, and not afraid to challenge the traditional ways of Hollywood.

It’s strange to see someone portrayed as fighting against the very Hollywood system that made them famous – especially when they’re still benefiting financially from it. Disney, the studio behind her breakthrough role in Snow White, is now painted as a force she bravely opposed, despite continuing to receive payment from them.

But perhaps the most revealing line comes here:

Initially, there was strong criticism from conservative groups about a Latina actress being cast as a princess traditionally depicted with very pale skin.

Interestingly, the article omits the fact that Zegler initially brought up the topic of race by stating she wouldn’t alter her appearance, a comment that wasn’t prompted and unnecessarily turned the casting into a discussion about race.

The article also doesn’t fully explain why many people became disappointed. While the actress’s own statements about the original story and its fans clearly contributed to the negative reaction, the narrative presented avoids acknowledging any arrogance or dismissiveness from those involved in the production. Instead, it consistently blames external factors for the problem.

Selective Bravery and Convenient Blind Spots

The profile sells Zegler as stoic, unfazed, almost saintlike.

“Honestly, I’m a duck,” Zegler said. “It rolls right off my back these days.”

Despite a few public controversies, apologies, and brief social media silences, it’s clear there was significant drama behind the scenes. Fans haven’t forgotten, and the internet has a long memory, but Glamour magazine seems to be trying to ignore it all.

The article also briefly notes her “Free Palestine” post alongside the Snow White trailer, framing it as a straightforward act of admirable activism.

The coverage failed to mention that Rachel Zegler’s public advocacy sparked online anger, which escalated into threats against her co-star, Gal Gadot, and Gadot’s children. Disney allegedly increased security for Gadot’s family as a result.

Simply put: Zegler wasn’t just caught in the crossfire — she helped light the fuse.

The Snow White Rewrite

Zegler noted the film’s success, saying, “It reached the top spot on Disney+, which shows people are enjoying it.”

Being number one on a streaming platform isn’t necessarily a sign of success, as the article suggests. Just because something ranks highly on Disney+ doesn’t mean people actually love it. Studios pay attention to box office numbers and audience reactions, and even change their plans based on that feedback, so those things clearly still matter.

Despite a promising start, Snow White quickly faded on streaming charts. It premiered at number five on Nielsen’s movie list, dropped to six the following week, and then disappeared entirely. It never appeared on the broader overall streaming charts.

A Hero’s Journey… According to Hollywood

The interview reaches its most enthusiastic point when Mirren directly compliments her guest, praising how she dealt with negative fan reactions as an example of “courage, grace, and fortitude.”

It’s similar to asking a close friend of a restaurant owner to give a review and then being surprised when they give it a glowing recommendation.

Those watching are often criticized – portrayed as either lacking information or being bad people – simply for not showing enough enthusiasm.

Final Thoughts

Rachel Zegler is talented. And Evita may very well be a triumph for her.

Ignoring legitimate criticisms, downplaying past mistakes that caused problems, and equating a quick fix to public image with the enduring legacy of Princess Diana? That’s a stretch.

That’s not journalism — it’s Hollywood myth-making.

Currently, Zegler is facing a difficult situation in Hollywood, with no significant roles lined up. Despite this, the industry seems determined to rehabilitate her image. Until she lands another big movie role, we can expect to see carefully crafted public relations stories – featuring the same actress who previously dismissed the very idea of traditional fairy tales.

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2025-11-04 18:58