Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old actress who skyrocketed to fame with her Golden Globe-winning role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021), has found herself at the center of yet another storm. Disney’s live-action Snow White remake, released in March 2025, was meant to be her crowning achievement, showcasing her as the iconic princess alongside Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen. Instead, the film became one of Disney’s most notorious flops, grossing a mere $43 million against a $270 million budget and earning a dismal 1.6/10 on IMDb. The backlash has been relentless, fueled by Zegler’s controversial comments, political posts, and casting debates. Now, Family Guy, the irreverent animated series created by Seth MacFarlane, has thrown gasoline on the fire with a scathing satirical clip that mocks Zegler and the Snow White debacle. This clip, reportedly too incendiary for mainstream airing, has ignited a firestorm of debate, with fans and critics divided over whether it’s a hilarious roast or a cruel pile-on. Let’s dive into the clip, its context, and why it’s become a lightning rod for Hollywood controversy.

The Family Guy Clip That Shook the Internet

On May 12, 2025, Seth MacFarlane, the 51-year-old mastermind behind Family Guy, took the stage at NBCUniversal’s Upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Known for his biting humor, MacFarlane used the platform to debut a Family Guy clip that mercilessly lampooned Disney’s Snow White remake. While the clip hasn’t been officially released due to its controversial nature, leaked descriptions from attendees paint a vivid picture. The scene reportedly features Peter Griffin watching a fictional “Disney Channel” parody, where a cartoonish Rachel Zegler-lookalike, dressed as Snow White, delivers a monologue bashing the 1937 original film. “This princess ain’t waiting for no creepy prince to stalk her—she’s rewriting the fairytale for 2025!” the character quips, before tripping over CGI “magical creatures” and ranting about “free Wi-Fi in the forest.” The clip ends with Stewie Griffin deadpanning, “Well, that’s $270 million down the drain. Who’s ready for Marge vs. the Monorail?”

The satire targets Zegler’s real-life comments from 2022, when she told Extra that the original Snow White was “extremely dated” and focused too much on a “guy who literally stalks her.” Her remarks, intended to highlight the remake’s feminist reimagining, alienated fans who cherished the classic. The Family Guy clip also pokes fun at the film’s progressive changes, like replacing the Seven Dwarfs with CGI “magical creatures” to avoid perpetuating stereotypes—a decision criticized by actor Peter Dinklage and others. MacFarlane’s jab, delivered with Family Guy’s signature irreverence, was met with laughter from the Upfront audience but sparked outrage online when snippets leaked.

The Snow White Controversy: A Perfect Storm

To understand why Family Guy zeroed in on Zegler, we need to unpack the Snow White controversy, which has simmered since the film’s announcement. Zegler, born to a Colombian mother and Polish father, faced racist backlash from the start for her casting as Snow White, a character described in the fairytale as having “skin as white as snow.” Zegler clarified that her character earned the name due to surviving a childhood snowstorm, but the explanation did little to quell critics who accused Disney of “woke” casting. The film’s decision to omit the iconic song “Someday My Prince Will Come” and shift the narrative away from romance further angered purists, who felt the remake strayed too far from its roots.

Zegler’s outspokenness added fuel to the fire. In August 2023, she posted on X after the Snow White trailer debuted, thanking fans but ending with, “And always remember, free Palestine.” The post, made amid heightened Israel-Palestine tensions, drew ire, especially given her co-star Gal Gadot’s Israeli background and former role as an IDF instructor. Rumors of a feud between Zegler and Gadot intensified when the pair avoided joint interviews during the film’s limited press tour. Reports surfaced that producer Marc Platt flew to New York to confront Zegler about the post, though she refused to delete it.

Zegler’s comments after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, where she decried “four years of hatred” under the re-elected president, further polarized audiences. She later apologized for “contributing to negative discourse,” but the damage was done. Social media platforms like X buzzed with hashtags like #RachelZegler and #SnowWhiteFlop, with some users calling her “ungrateful” and others defending her right to speak out. The film’s abysmal box office performance—projected to lose Disney nearly $115 million—cemented its status as a cautionary tale, with Zegler often scapegoated for its failure.

Why Family Guy’s Jab Hits Hard

Family Guy has a long history of skewering celebrities, from Kanye West to Taylor Swift, but the Zegler clip feels uniquely pointed. For one, it taps into a broader cultural backlash against Disney’s live-action remakes, which critics argue prioritize progressive agendas over storytelling. The Snow White remake, with its CGI creatures and altered narrative, was already a lightning rod for “woke” critiques, and Zegler’s public persona—unapologetic and politically vocal—made her an easy target. The clip’s humor, while sharp, amplifies the narrative that Zegler single-handedly tanked the film, a notion some argue is unfair.

The timing of the clip’s debut, just weeks after Snow White’s March 2025 release, adds to its sting. Zegler, already battered by online vitriol, faced renewed scrutiny as the clip went viral. Some fans, like film critic David Ehrlich, rallied to her defense, tweeting, “Rachel Zegler RULES and so obviously has a lifetime of incredible roles ahead of her.” Others, however, reveled in the roast, with one X user writing, “Family Guy just said what we’re all thinking—Zegler’s Snow White was a disaster.” The clip’s reported exclusion from broadcast—allegedly due to fears of backlash—has only heightened its mystique, with pirated snippets circulating on platforms like X and Reddit.

The Human Cost of Public Backlash

Beyond the satire, Zegler’s experience highlights the brutal toll of public scrutiny. At 23, she’s navigated racist harassment, death threats, and professional fallout, including rumors of a rift with West Side Story co-star Ariana DeBose after DeBose reposted a critical quote about Zegler. Zegler claimed trolls showed up at her home, a chilling escalation of online hate. Her casting in upcoming projects, like Jamie Lloyd’s Evita revival in London and a film with Marisa Tomei, suggests resilience, but the Snow White saga has left scars.

Zegler’s defenders, including Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver, argue she’s been unfairly scapegoated. Allen told The Independent that the film’s failure “might just be a bit s*** and not Rachel Zegler’s fault,” pointing to broader issues like lackluster trailers and creative missteps. Fans on X have praised Zegler’s performance, noting her “spectacular” voice and ability to embody a modern Snow White with “sweet, curious, and caring” traits. Yet critics, like John Lennon’s son Sean Ono Lennon, have labeled her a “disconnected brat,” reflecting the polarized discourse.

The Bigger Picture: Hollywood and Cultural Fault Lines

The Family Guy clip is more than a celebrity roast; it’s a microcosm of Hollywood’s current tensions. Zegler’s Snow White landed at the intersection of racial politics, creative stagnation, and ideological divides, as one analyst noted: “Ultimately, [Zegler] became a lightning rod for controversy, not just due to her own actions, but because Snow White landed at the intersection of Hollywood’s creative stagnation, racial politics, international conflict, and America’s deep ideological divide.”

Disney’s decision to cast Zegler, a Latina actress, was a bold step toward inclusivity, but it exposed her to racist trolling, mirroring the abuse faced by Halle Bailey for The Little Mermaid. Zegler’s pro-Palestine stance, while principled, dragged the film into geopolitical debates, especially given Gadot’s contrasting views. The remake’s progressive changes, like sidelining the prince and using CGI creatures, alienated traditionalists, while its high budget and lackluster execution failed to win over critics. Family Guy’s satire, by zeroing in on Zegler, risks oversimplifying a complex failure, ignoring the studio’s role and the broader cultural context.

Why It’s Trending

The Family Guy clip has gone viral because it encapsulates a moment of cultural reckoning. Zegler, a young star with undeniable talent, has become a polarizing figure in a divided Hollywood. The clip’s biting humor resonates with those frustrated by Disney’s remake missteps, while its targeting of Zegler angers those who see her as a victim of systemic bias and online hate. Social media is ablaze with reactions, from #FamilyGuyRoast to #StandWithRachel, reflecting the split between detractors and supporters. The clip’s rumored censorship—allegedly to avoid further inflaming tensions—has only amplified its notoriety, making it a forbidden fruit for fans eager to see MacFarlane’s unfiltered take.

The controversy also taps into broader questions about celebrity accountability and free speech. Zegler’s refusal to back down from her political posts, even under pressure from Disney, has earned her admiration from some and condemnation from others. The Family Guy clip, by mocking her outspokenness, reignites debates about whether stars should “stick to acting” or use their platforms for advocacy. As Zegler moves forward with new projects, her ability to weather this storm will test her resilience and Hollywood’s willingness to embrace bold voices.

Conclusion

Family Guy’s satirical takedown of Rachel Zegler and Snow White is a brutal snapshot of a film—and a star—caught in a cultural maelstrom. The clip, with its razor-sharp jabs at Zegler’s comments and the remake’s failures, has sparked outrage and laughter in equal measure, cementing its status as a forbidden artifact in Hollywood lore. Yet, the Snow White flop cannot be pinned on Zegler alone. From Disney’s creative missteps to the toxic backlash she’s endured, the story is far more complex than a single actress’s missteps. Zegler’s talent, evident in her captivating performances, suggests she’ll rise above this chapter, but the Family Guy clip serves as a stark reminder of the price of fame in a polarized world. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Zegler’s journey, like Snow White’s, is far from over, and her next move will be watched closely by fans and critics alike.