In a recent interview for Allure Magazine, sourced by Variety, Rachel Zegler talked about her experiences after being cast as the lead role, María, in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 remake of West Side Story. Despite Spielberg’s great lengths in casting an authentically Latina actress in the role, as he did with all the Hispanic characters in the film, many studio executives doubted that Zegler was actually Latina. “There’s confusion because I don’t have a single ounce of Latin in my name,” said Zegler in the interview. “When I was in the running for María in ‘West Side Story,’ they kept calling to ask if I was legit. I remember thinking, ‘Do you want me to bring my abuelita in?’ I will. I’ll bring her into the studio if you want to meet her.”
Zegler continued, “Having a bunch of white executives have you prove your identity to them…It’s an interesting experience being part of that diaspora in the current climate we live in. But I love being Colombian.”
Zegler also discussed her experiences being cast as Snow White in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake, despite the character not originally being Latina. “The reality is, I was given a chance because I could sing”, explains Zegler. She also talks about her hopes for people to accept the diverse casting choice, saying, “My only prayer for the future of diversity and inclusion is that we invest in and nurture talent no matter what they look like.”
Zegler also discusses why she views Snow White as such an important role. “That’s why it’s so important for the next generation to see movies like ‘Snow White“, explains Zegler, “To realize there’s nothing wrong with choosing to do what’s right and that it doesn’t have to be with anger or a clenched fist. Anger can be a powerful emotion, but it doesn’t bring the brightest future. Snow White chooses kindness and still makes change. Power takes many forms. I hope we’ll see a new dawn of kindness and acceptance in the next couple of years. And people don’t see the need to use hate to cause further division.”
Spielberg’s West Side Story, which earned Zegler critical acclaim and a win at the Golden Globes for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy, is currently streaming on Disney Plus. Disney’s Live Action Snow White, will be opening in theaters this Friday, March 21st.
