Rachel Zegler Says She 'Admires' Brandy After She Gave Her Advice on Playing a Disney Princess in 'Snow White': 'The Most Amazing Woman'
Rachel Zegler is giving Brandy her flowers!
While walking the red carpet at the Monday, November 11, premiere of the animated film Spellbound, the Snow White actress, 23, praised the Cinderella alum, 45, after she gave her advice about playing a Disney princess.
"She's the most wonderful ever and I love her dearly," Zegler said when asked about Brandy in a recent interview. "She was kind of the blueprint for me and the idea that I could do something like Snow White came from watching her and Whitney Houston in Cinderella. So, getting her stamp of approval and her words of wisdom, she really is the most amazing woman. I admire her greatly."
The lovefest between the superstars comes after the musician was asked about the Romeo & Juliet star and her new adaptation of the 1937 movie in a recent interview. “I know Rachel will be absolutely incredible in this role," Brandy, who starred in the 1997 Disney remake of the of Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, gushed.
"You’re not taking on this role to fit the mold of the critics,” "The Boy Is Mine" vocalist advised Zegler. “You’re doing this for every little Colombian girl who has yet to see themselves in a role like a Disney princess. You’re doing this for the little girl that you once were, who grew up without that representation of her Colombian culture.”
"You are showing her that anything is possible for someone who looks like her, and that is the most important job in the world," Brandi added.
The Broadway star received backlash when she was first announced to star in the project. "Extremely appreciative of the love I feel from those defending me online, but please don't tag me in the nonsensical discourse about my casting," Zegler wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, after her casting was revealed. "[I] really, truly do not want to see it."
Despite the backlash, Zegler has continued to show her gratitude for the opportunity. "Never in a million years did I imagine that this would be a possibility for me," she said in a 2022 interview.
"You don't normally see Snow Whites that are of Latin descent. Even though Snow White is really a big deal in Spanish-speaking countries. Blancanieves is a huge icon whether you're talking about the Disney cartoon or just different iterations and the Grimm's [Snow White] and all the stories that come with it. But you don't particularly see people who look like me or are me playing roles like that," she added.
Entertainment Tonight conducted the interview with Zegler.
Variety conducted the interview with Brandy.
Variety conducted the 2022 interview with Zegler.