Rachel Zegler’s Performance of Waiting on a Wish, Hits Over 50 Million Views Across Social Media
Whether it’s a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein revival or the latest boundary-pushing jukebox show, theatre enthusiasts know that not all remakes are created equal. But DISNEY’S SNOW WHITE has been generating unprecedented buzz, largely due to the creative dream team driving its musical numbers. The beloved 1937 animated film boasted iconic tunes like Heigh-Ho and Whistle While You Work, but this reinvention has an entirely new set of songs crafted by none other than Benj Pasek and Justin Paul—the famed EGOT® winners behind hits like City of Stars and This Is Me. They’ve joined forces with Jack Feldman for additional lyrics, producing a fresh tapestry of music that honours the original’s charm while planting it firmly in the present.
It’s no small feat to take one of Disney’s oldest tales—essentially the film that launched the studio’s animation empire—and reshape it into a contemporary musical that resonates with modern audiences. In a recent behind-the-scenes featurette, the film’s director, Marc Webb, emphasised how the creative process revolved around balancing nostalgia with innovation. And from the snippets we’ve seen and heard, it appears they’ve nailed it.
The Song Sending Shockwaves Around the Globe
Perhaps the biggest indicator of this adaptation’s success is the staggering social media response to Waiting on a Wish, the single performed by Rachel Zegler. Since its release on 4 March, that track alone has racked up more than 50 million views across various platforms. If that number doesn’t make you sit up, consider this: in the era of endless scrolling and viral memes, reaching tens of millions of eyes (and ears) isn’t easy. You don’t often see that level of frenzied excitement for a classic fairy-tale tune—unless, of course, it’s been reborn in a way that speaks to both the longtime devotees and the next generation of theatre-lovers.
What’s striking about Waiting on a Wish is the way it weaves the innocence of the original Snow White into a wholly contemporary melody. Rachel Zegler, already a rising star thanks to her turn in West Side Story, delivers a vocal performance that’s simultaneously delicate and powerful. It’s as though we can hear Snow White maturing in real time, evolving from a wide-eyed princess into a woman who actively pursues her dreams rather than merely waiting around for them to find her.
A Peek At The Exclusive Music Featurette
Alongside the single’s success, Disney also unveiled a special film and music featurette that delves into the creative alchemy behind DISNEY’S SNOW WHITE. In this sneak peek, Marc Webb shares how he approached bringing a live-action spin to a story older than most of our grandparents. He discusses tapping into the universal themes that made the 1937 film a phenomenon in the first place: hope, bravery, and the triumph of good over evil. But he’s quick to point out that this new version isn’t just about rehashing what worked nearly a century ago.
We also hear from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who admit that reimagining such a legendary score was both exhilarating and intimidating. After all, when millions of people can hum Someday My Prince Will Come in their sleep, you don’t want to stray too far from what they love. Yet they clearly had licence to put their own stamp on the piece. For good measure, they brought in Jack Feldman to add lyrical flourishes that breathe new life into classic motifs. Meanwhile, Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, offers a glimpse into her own musical moments—yes, the iconic villain gets her time in the spotlight too, and apparently, it’s as dazzling as you’d hope.
More Than Just Songs
When a Disney musical arrives, we often focus on the star solos and big chorus numbers. But for a production as layered as DISNEY’S SNOW WHITE, the soundtrack encompasses more than catchy tunes. There’s the score by Jeff Morrow, designed to mirror the film’s emotional arcs and accentuate key moments—like Snow White stepping into the forest for the first time or the Queen’s transformation sequence. According to early reports from the creative team, this score is a tapestry of subtle motifs that thread through each song, bridging them into a cohesive musical journey.
The Official Soundtrack, out now, includes not only the fresh compositions but also archival voices from the original 1937 film. It’s a thrilling move that ties the show’s past and present together. And just when you think you’ve had your fill, Walt Disney Records is releasing a deluxe version on 19 March, featuring songs, score, and instrumental track versions—perfect for those who like to belt out the tunes in the privacy of their living rooms. Then, on 20 March—the same day the film hits Aussie and Kiwi cinemas—the official score album drops, offering the purely orchestral side of Snow White’s transformation.
For theatre aficionados—and especially fans of musicals—this is the event that merges cinematic grandeur with the intimacy of live performance sensibilities. Although you’ll be watching it on the big screen rather than in a theatre, DISNEY’S SNOW WHITE has drawn on an array of stage-heavy talents. The people behind the music have real theatrical pedigree, from Pasek and Paul’s DEAR EVAN HANSEN success to Jack Feldman’s Tony Award for NEWSIES. Even director Marc Webb started his career with a flair for directing music videos, lending him an instinctive sense of timing and visual storytelling akin to stage direction.
Numbers from the industry show that when Disney invests in a musical revamp, it usually spells commercial success. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and ALADDIN soared as stage adaptations, while the live-action BEAUTY AND THE BEAST film smashed box office records. Early estimates hint that DISNEY’S SNOW WHITE might follow suit, capitalising on the global appetite for lavish musicals that fuse nostalgia with novelty. If those 50 million views are any indication, the hype is real—and likely to skyrocket as we inch closer to the 20 March release date.
Bringing 1937 Into The 21st Century
One surprising detail most people don’t consider is how the original 1937 SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS influenced the entire animation industry. It wasn’t just Disney’s first full-length animated feature; it effectively convinced audiences worldwide that an animated film could be taken seriously as art. Fast-forward almost 90 years, and we’re seeing a story that was once purely two-dimensional bursting onto the screen with photorealistic sets, advanced CGI, and a nuanced script that acknowledges Snow White’s agency. What’s more, the reimagined characters are likely to stir debate among purists who might be nostalgic for the docile heroine, but it’s a debate worth having. After all, theatre and film have a responsibility to evolve alongside culture.
According to Marc Webb, preserving the film’s hopeful spirit was paramount, but so was recognising that audiences in 2025 expect more complexity and genuine growth in their protagonist. Waiting on a Wish exemplifies this shift—rather than simply yearning for rescue, Snow White’s wish is for the courage to embrace her destiny, dwarves, forest critters, and all. It’s a subtle adjustment, but it resonates powerfully with contemporary viewers, especially younger fans who see no reason why a princess shouldn’t forge her own path.
Before The Apple Falls
As the anticipation builds, it’s hard not to feel that heady blend of nostalgia and excitement. Many of us remember pressing play on battered VHS tapes, enthralled by the bright, hand-drawn scenes of singing dwarfs and a wicked queen. Now, we’re on the brink of rediscovering that magic from an entirely new angle—buoyed by the talents of Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, and an EGOT-winning songwriting duo.
If you’re a devotee of musicals, an avid Disney collector, or simply someone who loves a good fairy-tale adventure, DISNEY’S SNOW WHITE should be at the top of your list come 20 March 2025. It’s not merely a remake; it’s an evolution—an invitation to revisit those childhood dreams and see them with fresh eyes and ears. And perhaps that’s the real magic of Disney: the ability to take a nearly century-old story and make it feel as urgent and dazzling as a brand-new opening night. In a world often short on enchantment, we could all do with a little more fairy-tale sparkle—and this film promises just that.
Stream SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS original soundtrack now, on Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music
