Actor Rachel Zegler claimed that skeptical producers questioned her Latina heritage during the casting process for the 2021 West Side Story remake directed by Steven Spielberg.
In the remake of the classic 1961 film adaptation, Zegler starred opposite Ansel Elgort as the star-crossed lovers, Maria and Tony.
Before the casting was made official, Zegler recalled how "White executives" asked her to prove that her Latina background was "legit" to be portraying the Puerto Rican lead character.
The 23-year-old Colombian American actor told Allure magazine:
“There’s confusion because I don’t have a single ounce of Latin in my name."
“When I was in the running for María in ‘West Side Story,’ they kept calling to ask if I was legit."
She continued:
"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 added:
“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.”
And the internet loved her for being real.
People weighed in on the skepticism she faced about her heritage.
Her ethnic background was the subject of another controversy when she was cast as the titular lead in the live-action remake of Disney's Snow White, currently in theaters.
Traditionally, Snow White was depicted in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale as a fair-skinned German princess, as did Disney's original 1937 animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Because of this, Zegler's casting in the role sparked racist backlash, despite the live-action version explaining that this Snow White was born in the middle of a blizzard, hence the moniker, Snow White.
The actor explained she was cast for her singing talent, not necessarily for looking the part.
“The reality is, I was given a chance because I could sing,” Zegler said.
“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 told the magazine that it was important for younger generations to see her in the newly adapted version of Snow White.
“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," she said.
“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," she added.
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