*Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro is lashing out over the casting of a Latina actress to portray the fictional character of Snow White.
Disney is making a live-action version of the beloved fairy tale, with Rachel Zegler ― who identifies as a white Latina ― as Snow White. The Daily Mail published some photos of the character with her “politically correct” new companions (formally known as the “seven dwarfs”).
Disney announced earlier this year that the “seven dwarfs” have been renamed the “magical creatures” to “avoid reinforcing stereotypes” about little people.
“To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community. We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period,” a Disney spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter.
“They’ve cast Snow White. Snow White is now going to be played by Rachel Zegler. OK?” Shapiro said, The Huffington Post reports. “Now, Rachel Zegler, you may know ― again, her name is Snow White. Now, you might consider that racist, but that’s also the name of the actual fairytale.”
Shapiro referred to “the original 1936 ‘Snow White’” and how she is described as having “skin white as snow.”
“[The word ‘white’] is literally in her name. That’s why she has her name,” he said. “So I guess just to like, screw with people, they’re casting ― Rachel Zegler’s a very talented person. It’s weird casting, you might say.”
Zegler, who is of Colombian and Polish descent, previously responded to criticism that the film is trying to be politically correct.
“People are making these jokes about ours being the PC Snow White… yeah, it is – because it needed that,” she said.
“Our version is a refreshing story about a young woman who has a function beyond Someday My Prince Will Come,” Zegler added.
Snow White is a 19th century German fairy tale. The name literally refers to the character’s skin color. This is what actual cultural appropriation looks like. Probably the most blatant case we’ve seen yet. https://t.co/erALE33kj0
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) July 14, 2023
According to Daily Mail, in a since-deleted tweet, she wrote: “Yes I am Snow White; no, I am not bleaching my skin for the role.”
“Barbie” director Greta Gerwig co-wrote the upcoming “Snow White” adaptation, which reportedly focuses on Snow White’s dreams of becoming a leader.
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