As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen it all – from the golden age of Hollywood to the digital revolution that has transformed the industry. The recent apology issued by Rachel Zegler for her controversial comments about Donald Trump supporters is a classic example of the high-stakes world we live in today, where a single social media post can ignite a storm of controversy and backlash.
Actress Rachel Zegler, who starred in both “West Side Story” and the upcoming “Snow White,” has apologized for her remarks about Donald Trump supporters following the 2024 presidential election. After the election results, she expressed her feelings on Instagram by stating that there was a “deep, deep sickness in this country.” She went on to say that she hoped Trump supporters, voters, and Trump himself would never know peace, and expressed fear about another four years of hatred that might lead to a world she did not want to live in. She ended her post with the phrase “F— Donald Trump.” This comment sparked controversy, with Zegler receiving both criticism and support as people debated the appropriateness of her comments and the sentiments they expressed, which reflected the fears of millions of Americans.
Currently, Zegler has taken responsibility for her past remarks by issuing an apology. She shared this apology on her Instagram story, which was later reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Regrettably, Zegler’s response to her post unintentionally fueled the same negative and harmful conversations she was initially criticizing. In an effort to promote a more optimistic outlook moving forward, Zegler expressed her desire for change in her message, which reads:
Hello all, I’d like to genuinely express my regret for the election-related post I published on Instagram recently. My feelings took over at that moment, leading me to share something that unfortunately added to the divisive conversation. It’s essential for us to strive for peace and understanding, and I acknowledge that I may have fallen short in this regard.
Despite the apology, this will likely not please right-wing media pundits, who have been critical of Zegler for her prior statements on Trump. Following her statement, former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly said during her Sirus XM show called for Disney to fire the actress from her upcoming role in Snow White following her statements. Kelly said, “Hello, Disney! You’re gonna have to redo your film again because this woman is a pig, and you fired Gina Carano for far less than this nonsense.”
In the final part of Kelly’s statement, it is mentioned that Disney and Lucasfilm dismissed actress Gina Carano from The Mandalorian and an upcoming series called Rangers of The New Republic, due to her posting a string of contentious social media messages. In these posts, she drew parallels between being a conservative in Hollywood and being Jewish during the Holocaust, made fun of people using pronouns, and propagated conspiracy theories regarding COVID-19, vaccines, and their impact.
An Apology With Good Intentions Nobody Will Hear
To clarify, Zegler’s situation and Carano’s differ significantly in context and outcomes. It’s hard to believe Carano was let go for “less drama” when her actions involved spreading misinformation about the legitimacy of the 2020 election that incited an insurrection. Moreover, it’s important to note that unlike Carano, Zegler wasn’t excluded from any completed projects; she simply wasn’t asked to reappear in The Mandalorian Season 3, and Disney decided not to pursue Rangers of the New Republic – a common occurrence in television production where some shows are created but don’t make it to air. It’s also worth mentioning that cancellations or delays in Star Wars projects are not uncommon events.
Although Zegler has starred in Snow White, unlike Kevin Spacey who was removed from All The Money in the World due to proven sexual assault charges, Zegler plays a significant role throughout the film. Proposing her removal from the movie entirely is an implausible demand and not comparable to the situation with Spacey.
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve noticed a striking contrast between the two situations. While Zegler has acknowledged her mistake and apologized for any unintentional impulsiveness in her words, Carano has chosen not to apologize or admit wrongdoing. Zegler understands that even if her words were true, they might have been said in a moment of anger, and she’s taking responsibility for her actions. However, this apology may not be enough for her harshest critics like Megyn Kelly, as they seem more concerned with the initial statement than with the apology itself, seeking punishment instead. Interestingly, those who often criticize cancel culture are the ones demanding the cancellation of someone in this case.
One also has to wonder if the apology would ever accomplish anything. Those criticizing were already calling for a boycott and claiming they would never see Snow White, so it’s not like her statement lost the movie to any audience members who hadn’t already decided not to see it. Zegler has been on the receiving end of an online hate campaign from people taking her words out of context to paint her as hating the original Snow White movie, and plenty of unpleasant comments have been made about an actress of Colombian descent playing Snow White. It is sad that despite Zegler’s attempt at an apology and trying to mend fences, some people she is apologizing to will choose to ignore it and continue to harass her and her upcoming Snow White film.
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2024-11-15 22:01