Snow White’s Fairest in the Land Now Means Something Completely Different

Nivedita Dubey
March 26, 2025

Key Points:

The 2025 Snow White remake redefines “fairest in the land” as inner qualities like kindness and leadership rather than external beauty.
Rachel Zegler’s Snow White is not a passive character but an empowered leader shaping her own destiny.
The film’s reinterpretation aligns with Disney’s modern approach to updating classic tales, emphasizing equity and moral strength.

How Did “Fairest in the Land” Define Beauty in the Original Snow White?

Rachel Zegler – Waiting On A Wish – DisneyMusicVEVO

The phrase “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” is one of the most iconic lines in fairy tale history. In Disney’s 1937 animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, this question, posed by the Evil Queen, was solely about physical beauty. The Queen’s jealousy was rooted in outward appearance, and Snow White’s youth and beauty made her a target.

This interpretation was consistent with early fairy tales, including the Brothers Grimm’s 1812 version, where beauty was often equated with virtue. The Queen’s vanity and obsession with her looks made her the film’s villain, while Snow White’s traditional “fairness” symbolized innocence and goodness.

How Does the 2025 Snow White Reimagine “Fairest in the Land”?

The Marc Webb-directed remake completely shifts the meaning of “fairest in the land.” Instead of physical attractiveness, fairness in this version is about kindness, wisdom, and leadership. Snow White, played by Rachel Zegler, is a compassionate and just leader who brings people together, resolves conflicts, and inspires change.

Her fairness manifests in the way she helps the dwarfs work together, spares the Huntsman’s life, and encourages Jonathan (Andrew Burnap) to find his true purpose. Unlike the 1937 version, where her beauty passively invites danger, here she actively shapes her fate through courage and empathy.

What Is the Evil Queen’s New Motivation?

While Snow White undergoes a character transformation, Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen retains her obsession with fairness—but in a different way. She still asks the Magic Mirror about being the fairest, but in this version, “fairness” is about power and control rather than just beauty. Her new song, All Is Fair, reinforces this by portraying her as a ruler who believes “fairness” means absolute dominance.

This thematic shift creates a sharper contrast between the Queen and Snow White:

The Queen sees fairness as strength, control, and self-interest.
Snow White embodies fairness through kindness, justice, and compassion.

This moral conflict drives the movie’s central narrative, making it more about values than looks.

How Does This Change Affect the Classic Apple Scene?

Disney’s Snow White via Walt Disney Studios

One of Snow White’s most famous moments is when she eats the poisoned apple. In the 1937 version, her naivety and trust lead her to fall into the Queen’s trap. The 2025 remake keeps this pivotal moment but adds new depth:

Snow White’s acceptance of the apple might come from trusting too much in the idea of redemption, showing her deep belief in fairness.
Her “death” and revival symbolize resilience and unity, likely involving a collective effort rather than a simple Prince’s kiss.

Why Did Disney Make This Change?

Disney’s modern adaptations frequently reinterpret outdated gender roles and narrative themes. The change in Snow White aligns with a broader trend of reimagining female leads as independent, powerful figures rather than passive damsels.

Rachel Zegler’s statements reinforce this intention:

“She’s not going to be saved by the prince, and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love; she’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.”

This updated version of “fairest in the land” reflects today’s cultural shift—where a woman’s worth is not tied to beauty but to her abilities, kindness, and strength.

Source: ScreenRant