Megyn went viral last week after she called on Disney to fire actress Rachel Zegler, who is starring in the upcoming live-action remake of Snow White, for her derogatory comments about Donald Trump and his supporters.
Less than 24 hours later, the 23 year old took to Instagram to issue an apology for her contributions “to the negative discourse” in the U.S. in the wake of the election.
On Friday’s show, Megyn was joined by Dasha Nekrasova and Anna Khachiyan of Red Scare Podcast to discuss Zegler’s apology and why her behavior is typical of Hollywood actors and actresses.
The Controversy
In the wake of Trump’s win earlier this month, Zegler shared a series of hysterical Instagram Story posts lamenting the outcome. Screenshots of the all-lowercase tirade started making the rounds on X last Wednesday, and it showed Zegler’s apparent contempt not just for the president-elect but also his supporters.
“i find myself speechless in the midst of this. another four years of hatred, leaning us towards a world I do not want to live in,” she wrote. “i shouldn’t be this shocked. but i am. i am heartbroken for my friends who awoke [in] fear this morning. and i am here with you. to cry, to yell, to hug. to wax poetic on how the left continues to fail us in forging a new path forward. this loss should not have been. and it certainly should not have been by so many votes.”
She went on to say she “echo[s] ethel cain’s statement more than anything. may trump supporters and trump himself never know peace.” In a separate post, she said there is “deep, deep sickness” in the country “shown in the sheer amount of people who showed up for this man who threatens our democracy.” Zegler signed off on the whole thing with a simple message: “f-ck donald trump.”
Megyn blasted the actress’ remarks on the show last Thursday and said it was but the latest black eye for Disney, which has already had to delay the release of Snow White due to controversy surrounding the Seven Dwarfs and Prince Charming. “Hello, Disney, you are going to have to redo your film again because this woman is a pig and you fired Gina Carano for far less than this nonsense,” Megyn said. “I’m sorry, Disney, she has to go right now.”
The Apology
Megyn’s message went viral almost immediately, and it took mere hours for Zegler to come out with an apology. She once again took to Instagram to share her message.
“Hi everyone, I would like to sincerely apologize for the election post I shared on my Instagram last week. I let my emotions get the best of me,” Zegler wrote. “Hatred and anger have caused us to move further and further away from peace and understanding, and I am sorry I contributed to the negative discourse.”
She also softened her tone towards the nearly 50 percent of voters who supported Trump. “This week has been emotional for so many of us, but I firmly believe that everyone has the right to their opinion, even when it differs from my own,” she continued. “I am committed to contributing positively toward a better tomorrow.”
‘Young and Dumb’
In Megyn’s view, Zegler’s apology was not sincere and she said the Golden Globe winner is “young and dumb” and in needs to broaden her horizons. “She is young and she is dumb, but maybe she’ll learn,” she said. “She did a 180 after I attacked her, and she deserved it… Hopefully, [she will] grow up soon. [She] should listen to The Megyn Kelly Show – it will help [her].”
An actress herself, Nekrasova said Zegler’s outspokenness – past and present – is not surprising. “I mean, she is an actress,” she noted. “That is how they are. They’re emotional… They’re porous. They’re not intellectuals.”
Zegler is currently starring as Juliet Capulet on Broadway in an adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, and her career seemingly has not been largely impacted by her hot takes. Nekrasova said that could change and noted how her own career has been impacted by her political views. “I think actresses should be quiet… You can be hindered,” she concluded. “I understand why I’ve been hindered in my career as an actress for being a media personality… It’s a liability, and people don’t like liability.”
You can check out Megyn’s full interview with Nekrasova and Khachiyan by tuning in to episode 952 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s Triumph (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.