Rachel Zegler Faces Backlash Over Met Gala Expressions Amid Career Reinvention Snow White star Rachel Zegler was criticized for her unusual facial expressions at the 2026 Met Gala, sparking debate over artistic expression and body shaming. The actress, who has faced career challenges following Disney's live-action flop, addressed the backlash while discussing her reinvention as a theater star and her struggles with public perception. Rachel Zegler, the 25-year-old star of Disney's Snow White, faced intense scrutiny and mockery for her unconventional facial expressions at the 2026 Met Gala in New York City. The event, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, saw Zegler modeling a breathtaking Atelier Prabal Gurung gown paired with a custom silk mask by Jennifer Behr. While the actress explained that her blindfold was an artistic nod to Paul Delaroche's 1833 painting The Execution of Lady Jane Grey, her exaggerated sultry poses left many fans perplexed. Social media users questioned her expressions, with some speculating about potential health issues or intentional posing trends.One user wrote, 'What's with the faces?' while another asked, 'Does she have TMJ? ' Others wondered if she was struggling to breathe, adding to the online frenzy. Despite the backlash, some defenders argued that her look was a deliberate artistic statement, emphasizing the contrast between beauty and pain. A supporter commented, 'The theme was costumes.She has a corset facing the incorrect way and a blindfold with anguished facial expressions to exemplify the juxtaposition between wearing a beautiful costume and the pain it requires.' Another added, 'Mocking her jaw movements is body shaming and not okay. The Met Gala is for bold, artistic expressions.' Zegler addressed the criticism on Instagram the following day, revealing her nerves about the high-profile event. She wrote, 'I really did feel so beautiful last night—these high visibility moments are so much more nerve-racking than I let on. Thank you Prabal for the dress of my dreams and to Anna (+ team Vogue) for having me. And thank you always to my village of creative friends and collaborators that help boost my confidence every time.' The actress has faced significant backlash throughout her career, particularly after Disney's live-action Snow White adaptation underperformed at the box office. The film was marred by controversy, including plot changes and reported tension between Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot. Following the flop, Zegler pivoted to theater, earning acclaim for her role in Evita on London's West End. She is set to reprise the role of Eva Perón on Broadway in 2027.In a March interview with Harper's Bazaar UK, Zegler discussed the threats to her safety and the identity struggles she faced. She recounted being told she wasn't Latino enough for West Side Story but too Latino for Snow White, a confusing duality that tested her early in her career.'I grew up proud of being Colombian—eating the food, wearing the dresses, drinking the coffee, doing all the things that were so intrinsic to who I was as a kid and who I am as an adult,' she said. 'But in the public eye, when you’re two things, you’re simultaneously nothing. I refuse to assimilate for anybody else’s comfort.' She admitted that if she had foreseen the backlash and threats, she might have abandoned social media altogether. 'If I’d been able to predict everything that would come my way, the threats to my safety, I would have just thrown my phone into the ocean,' she confessed. 'I think any sane person would have.