Sean Ono Lennon Critiques Rachel Zegler Amid Snow White Controversy

LOS ANGELES, CA — Sean Ono Lennon, the son of Beatles musician John Lennon and artist Yoko Ono, recently sparked controversy with critical remarks directed at actress Rachel Zegler. His comments came in the midst of backlash against Zegler’s portrayal in the upcoming Disney remake of Snow White, prompting discussions about the intersection of celebrity, politics, and public perception.

Zegler, who gained fame for her role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, has faced scrutiny since expressing her views about the film prior to its release on March 21. Some have labeled the backlash against her as a ‘smear campaign,’ particularly targeting her comments on feminism and social issues, which have reportedly upset producers and elicited harsh criticisms from right-wing commentators.

“But she also acts like a spoiled, ungrateful, and disconnected brat. So it’s no surprise,” Lennon wrote in a now-deleted post on X, formerly Twitter, while acknowledging that the criticism toward Zegler has gone too far. His comments came after previous messages where he referred to Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot as ‘exceptionally beautiful women,’ countering a wave of negative remarks aimed at their appearances.

Zegler’s remarks about the Snow White character, including that the modern retelling would not involve a prince saving a damsel in distress, have drawn ire from conservative audiences. She stated in an interview, “It’s no longer 1937—she’s not going to be saved by the prince, and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love. She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.”

The commentary surrounding the film intensified as Zegler later faced backlash for her response to Donald Trump‘s re-election and her social media presence. Following allegations that her political statements could hurt the film’s box office earnings, Zegler reportedly agreed to use a social media consultant to manage her posts in the lead-up to the release.

In another public critique, Jonah Platt, the son of Broadway producer Marc Platt, expressed disappointment over Zegler’s actions, arguing that her personal politics complicated her promotional duties for the film. He stated, “Tens of thousands of people worked on that film, and she hijacked the conversation for her own immature desires at the risk of all the colleagues and crew.”

As Snow White opened to mixed reviews, it has only recouped approximately half of its estimated $230 million to $270 million budget. Critics point to the controversies surrounding both casting choices and marketing strategies as significant factors contributing to the film’s lackluster performance.

The debate over Zegler has stirred discussions on social media where many are divided, with some defending her against claims of narcissism while others echo Lennon’s sentiments regarding her off-screen persona. Zegler herself addressed the ongoing conversation about her role in the film in a recent interview, stating, “I interpret people’s feelings about this film as passion for it, and what an honor to be able to be part of something that people are so passionate about.”