7 Signs Your Current Fling Is Getting Serious

Alli Hoff Kosik
Mar 10, 2023
couple walking dog, signs that a casual relationship is getting serious

You’ve met someone new — maybe on a dating app, or maybe while you were out at happy hour with your girlfriends. There’s an immediate attraction, and you can tell already that you’re crushin’ hard, but you’re not quite sure if they’re serious relationship material quite yet. Do you share the same values? Do your five-year plans overlap? These questions circulate throughout your mind every day. but you’re not ready to let it go, so you decide to keep things casual. After all, casual can be fun, and there’s nothing wrong with having fun!

Casual doesn’t always stay casual, though, and you may want to prepare yourself for this relationship to get more serious. Whether you’re ready for it or not, your fling may just decide that they’re falling head over heels in love with you, and it’s to your benefit if you can spot the signs early on so you can decide how to proceed ASAP. How do you know if casual dating is getting serious? How do you tell if your hookup is falling for you? Maria Sullivan, dating expert and VP of Dating.com, offers seven signs to tell if things may be heating up.

1. You're spending more time together.

Photo by Budgeron Bach / PEXELS

Can casual dating lead to a more serious relationship? Absolutely. The more time you and your fling spend together, the more serious your situation can get.

“During a casual fling, spending time together is based mostly on convenience, and plans are usually made last minute or late at night,” says Sullivan. “If your relationship is turning from casual to serious, you will begin to notice your fling is starting to look for new opportunities to hang out with you.” Start clearing your weeknight schedule, because you’re about to have plans with that special someone outside of the weekend!

2. They're asking for your opinion.

When you’re keeping things casual, it’s unlikely that the other person will check in with you about travel plans, potential purchases, or drama at the office. All of that may change, however, if they’re feeling like they want to make things more serious. If you find your fling suddenly asking for your advice, the tides may be starting to shift.

3. Their body language is changing.

Photo by Uriel Mont / PEXELS

Tune in to your fling’s movements. Are they reaching for your hand or knee when you’re out in public? Are they wrapping their arm around you in front of their loved ones? This could be an indication that their feelings are becoming more romantic, particularly if this body language is significantly different from what you observed early in the relationship.

4. You're getting new kinds of compliments.

When a relationship is less serious, the positive comments are likely to be more superficial and focused on your looks or your clothes. “The reason someone develops feelings is because they grow fond of more than just your appearance,” Sullivan tells us. “When they fall in love, they begin to notice the way you laugh and tell stories or the way you interact with family. Look out for compliments that show the person is paying attention to your quirks and personality traits.”

5. You're being introduced differently to their friends.

Photo by KoolShooters / PEXELS

Anyone who’s ever been in a casual dating relationship knows how uncomfortable it can be to get introduced to their pals. How many times do you have to be called their “friend” before things start getting really awkward? When it’s about to get serious, those introductions just might change. Look for statements like “I want you to meet…” It could mean that they’ve told their friend about you previously and are looking for their opinion.

6. Your texting relationship is starting to shift.

If your fling is beginning to crush harder on you, chances are that their texting patterns will change. You may start receiving “Good morning!” texts or more frequent messages simply checking in to see how you’re doing.

7. You've started talking about the future.

Photoo by Ivan Samkov / PEXELS

How long does a casual relationship usually last? The answer depends on each case, but if talks about the future are happening, you can expect your 'casual' title to evaporate soon.

“You can really expect for things to get serious if your partner talks about the future,” Sullivan asserts. “This can even mean next month or next week. If your casual fling wants to make plans, they probably want you to stick around and hope that you will.” If you seem to be setting your eyes on the road ahead as a couple, you can start making plans for things to get more serious.

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Header image by Andres Ayrton / PEXELS

This post has been updated.

How to Survive Thanksgiving With Your Unwoke Relatives

Did you leave your family Thanksgiving dinner last year feeling like you were the one who got carved up and digested? You weren't alone. In an increasingly polarized sociological climate, family events where opinions differ can feel fraught with high stakes and conflicting moral obligations. And if you're already dreading Thanksgiving because all of the brawlin' that's sure to go down, you might be considering opting out of the festivities entirely.

In our Teach Me Something New podcast, Alexandra Carter, Columbia law professor and mediation expert, talks to Brit and Anj about the powers of persuasion to get the results you want in a conversation. The key to the Thanksgiving political discussion? Listening, asking open questions, and finding some common ground.

Here's what you can do to make it through Thanksgiving when your relatives just keep being problematic and things get awkward...

"I might say something like, 'I hear that you're concerned about national security and that's what led me to have this viewpoint.' So sometimes using a little bit of focusing on what you have in common can help you to have a civil conversation and not have anybody throwing mashed potatoes across the table," says Carter.

Here are more expert-backed tips for navigating the holiday awkwardness, even if it's just via Zoom. Make stuffing your face great again this Thanksgiving by implementing our seven-step plan.

Askar Abayev

1. Choose your battles ahead of time.

You're not going to change everyone's opinion about all of the things over the course of a meal and a football game. You might want to show up ready for a duel of words with your Facebook-meme-king cousin, but that's just going to put your opinionated family member on the offensive from the moment you walk in. Decide ahead of time if there's one issue that you really cannot keep your mouth shut about if it comes up, and have two or three talking points ready that clarify your position on that topic. If your hot button does get pushed, your talking points will help you keep from making things personal.

2. Confer with the host.

If you feel comfortable with the person that's organizing or hosting Thanksgiving, speak to him or her in advance about how you can be on Team Keep the Peace. Most people aren't keen on a political brouhaha breaking out around their dinner table, so they'll probably be relieved to hear that you're on board and willing to help make the day go smoothly for everyone. Brainstorm some ideas about seating arrangements or wholesome activities to fill the idle family time that can lead to trading barbs.

Element5 Digital

3. Make it a game.

Caitlin Bergstein, a Boston-based matchmaker and relationship expert for Three Day Rule, suggests a fun twist on the swear jar concept. “If your family is up for the challenge, you can even make it a game. Each time someone mentions something political, they have to put a dollar in a jar (or take a drink, depending on how your family celebrates the holiday). At the end of the night, that cash can be put aside for the next family get together!"

4. Have a moment of silence.

Sometimes the idea of a quiet table can be intimidating (all those chewing noises!), but encouraging a moment of reflection among your holiday guests can actually be transformative. Whether you observe several seconds of silence in honor of relatives you've lost, as a way to silently acknowledge your individual blessings, or as an act of prayer or meditation, you've hopefully brought the room back to focus on each other's company and the gift that it is to be together.

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5. Be an active listener.

If your one doggedlypersistent aunt can't let go of her obsession with the latest political scandal, reconsider what she's actually trying to tell you. Chances are, it's not just about what she saw on the news. “Assume that your polarizing relative actually probably just wants to connect, feel respected, and reduce their own anxiety about holiday gatherings, and interpret even difficult behavior as such," advises Mary Fisher, a Salt Lake City psychotherapist who specializes in family relationships. “Express the desire to connect while redirecting the conversation," Fisher recommends. Emphasize the fact that you're interested in protecting the time your family spends together. That can help soften the blow when you ask to instead hear them share a family memory or talk about a hobby you both share.

6. Disengage.

Remember that if angry words or offensive language start flying at you across the sweet potato pie, you don't have to respond. Have a script in mind to use, something like, “While I hear where you're coming from, I don't share your opinion, and I'm done talking about it today." Convey the message that you're quite clear on the matter being discussed, and you're not going to take the bait. You may have to repeat yourself several times, or you may choose to remain silent until things cool down around you. Either one is okay.

7. Duck out early.

If you feel like you have to retreat from the situation entirely, do it. One of the best things about being an adult is leaving when you want to leave. You don't have to subject yourself, your spouse, or your family to any kind of dialogue that is insulting, bigoted, or aggressive. Fisher shares these words of advice: “While we might think that the holidays are the time to resolve differences, they are actually the time to affirm and nurture connection, which can be an uphill battle with politically polarizing relatives." If you don't feel like a connection is being nurtured and the environment is not good for you to be in, say goodbye and make a break for it.

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This article has been updated from a previous post.

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Only Rihanna Could Pull Off A Fuzzy Blue Outfit During Date Night With A$AP Rocky

We hear a lot about celebrity breakups, but thankfully this doesn't apply to Rihanna and A$AP Rocky. Their relationship hass blossomed before our eyes like a modern day fairy tale, and we're here for our pop culture king and queen. It seems like just yesterday the loving couple welcomed their second baby while dodging marriage rumors.

Rumors have circulated about whether the pair are married or not, but they've been pretty quiet about it. What Rihanna has done is open up about how her relationship with A$AP Rocky began in a new candid interview. Below, she covers everything from that infamous VMA's performance to what's in store for their growing family

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's Relationship Timeline

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

2012

While going down memory lane with Interview's Editori-in-Chief Mel Ottenberg, Rihanna opened up about her and A$AP Rocky's relationship timeline. She revealed the two didn't know each other prior to her 2012 VMA's performance of her single "Cockiness." No one can forget that A$AP Rocky was a part of her set and that he managed to spice things up by grabbing a handful of her bottom onstage.

2013

Although people assumed the two were dating when she appeared in the video for A$AP Rocky's song "Fashion Killa," Rihanna admits they weren't. It's easy to see how people would've assumed that because they've always had chemistry. She told Ottenberg that their friendship throughout the years was due to having similar perspectives. "We saw fashion the same. We saw creative the same. We ended up in the same circles a lot. And past that, when we grew up, we ended up supporting each other’s brands and products and creative all the time. I would wear his shit, he would show up to my launches."

Image via Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

2019

Although it would be juicy if Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's relationship stemmed from a steamy text, she alluded in her conversation with Interview that their love was more organic. She said, "We’ve known each other for a long time. I’ve seen him in relationships. He’s seen me in relationships. We’ve seen each other outside of relationships. We knew what we’re capable of, and the trouble that we could bring to each other’s lives. We can make or break each other’s hearts. And so, we started dating with a lot of caution."

She also said COVID had a huge impact of the solidifying their romantic relationship and that she doesn't regret how things unfolded for them.

2021

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky debuted their love — and style — on the red carpet of the 2021 Met Gala. By then, it was undeniable how they felt about each other.

Image via Rich Fury/Getty Images for Fenty Beauty & Fenty Skin

2022 — 2023

The couple welcomed their sons — Rza and Riot — between 2022 and 2023, something they love gushing about. They're not shy about expressing their adoration for their growing family and have even admitted they're open to having more children if that's in the cards for them. Rihanna specifically told Interview, "I don’t know what god wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl. But of course if it’s another boy, it’s another boy."

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFC

December 2, 2024 — Rihanna & A$AP Rocky Hit The Red Carpet

Mom & dad stepped out for London's 2024 Fashion Awards' red carpet last night looking as stylish as ever. While A$AP Rocky chose to wear a utilitarian outfit that's on par with other looks we've seen him wear, Rihanna pushed the envelope even further with her outfit. She wore a furry light blue dress and matching hat that were accentuated by other black pieces like leather gloves and denier tights.

Just a couple of months ago, she told E! News that she's loving spending time with her family. "Motherhood, wifehood-ish, just being a homebody—I love it," she said. She also admitted, "I love to be a homemaker. I just like to be exciting and celebrate things. I'm trying to build new traditions for our little family that we built."

Did A$AP Rocky call Rihanna his wife?

Image via Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Yes! During his performance at the 2023 Cannes Lions Festival, Rihanna was seen grooving to her love's music. Once he reached the second half of his performance, he gave her a huge, shocking shoutout. “I’d like to dedicate this song to my beautiful wife in the motherf–king building!”

Um, are you kidding us right now? His "beautiful wife?" We could hardly contain our excitement when we learned the news, and it seems Rihanna couldn't either because she was seen with a huge grin on her face. Ah, to be in love!

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

We can't help but wonder if their latest Met Gala look was a nod to their nuptials. I mean, a white dress and a tux? At fashion's biggest event? Seems suspicious, if you ask us!

Still, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky haven't issued a statement to the media about their marriage or a wedding ceremony. While we respect their privacy, we would be open to fawning over the beautiful bride and groom if they ever decide to release pictures.

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

As if that wasn't enough, A$AP Rocky released a song last year called "Riot (Rowdy Pipe'n)" that gives a little more relationship insight. In one lyric, he raps, "My wife is erotic, I’m smokin’ exotic."

We think they've been telling the world - "What's understood doesn't have to be explained."

Touché Rihanna and A$AP Rocky.

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This post has been updated.

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Here's All The Awkward Conversation Advice You Need This Holiday Season

Awkward silences on a first date. An embarrassing encounter at the office party. A cringe-y moment with family around the holiday table. We’ve all been in awkward situations that leave us ruminating for hours about what we could have said or done differently to make it less awkward. But trying to be less awkward may make you more awkward," saysHenna Pryor, a Philadelphia-based workplace performance expert and award-winning TEDx speaker. In her new book, Good Awkward: How to Embrace the Embarrassing and Celebrate the Cringe to Become The Bravest You, Pryor suggests a mindset shift that can turn awkwardness into our greatest asset for professional and personal growth. So here's how to be less awkward by being...good awkward?

3 ways to avoid saying or doing awkward things during the holidays

First things first, what is good awkward? To answer that, Pryor starts with separating the good from the bad. “Bad awkward is when we experience the emotion of awkwardness and it keeps a grip on us. It makes us freeze in place, or it discourages us from taking that action the next time, raising our hand, putting ourselves in that room. We ruminate on it for hours in the shower.” Sound familiar? SAME.

“Good awkward speaks to this idea that a degree of risk-taking is required in order to grow and improve our circumstances or advance at work and in life," says Pryor.

But getting good at embracing those moments of awkwardness takes practice. "Awkwardness is a social emotion,” says Pryor. “We don't feel it when other people aren't around.” The holidays are the perfect time for flexing that muscle. We’re meeting new people. We’re facing family conflicts. We’re talking politics with more people who aren’t in our bubble. We’re having more social interactions at work and seeing relatives who may not always see our point of view.

Here are ways to survive holiday season awkwardness and face it with confidence and grace:

Photo by fauxels

Calibrate your expectations.

"You don't see these people all year long oftentimes, so there's a degree of uncertainty that if we can anticipate it and level set our expectations, it helps us go into it, says Pryor. Have some strategies to call on in the moment too. “The first thing is naming it,” says Pryor. “When no one says anything, the tension actually gets thicker. But if somebody can playfully go, 'Oh, that was awkward,' or kind of own it or name it, it actually diffuses the tension, everyone can relax." You can also strategically use humor. "We can have talk tracks to playfully change the subject or exit the room, but we need to mentally prepare for them so that we can have tools at our fingertips in the moment when we need them."

Flip the script.

To help build self-awareness around the emotion, ask yourself a few questions, like what are the childhood stories and narratives I tell myself? Are you thinking of your awkward feelings as a state or a trait? A state = "I feel awkward right now" (and it's something that will pass, and I can handle) vs. a trait ("I'm so awkward all the time"), which feels more permanent, and less easy to work with, says Pryor.

“A lot of times when we experience awkward moments, we just want to remove ourselves from the situation. We don't want to think about it anymore. But there's actually a ton of value in data after that moment has eventually passed, to thinking about why did that feel so cringey or awkward or embarrassing to me? What does that represent?,” she says. Pryor uses a personal and relatable example to illustrate this point.

"I grew up in a South Asian household where my parents would often say an expression that means, 'What will other people think?' There was a lot of that constantly, so peel back the layers, understand what are the stories you're telling yourself." That awareness can help alleviate the negative self talk that happens post-awkward situation.

Guilherme Almeida

Play back a redemptive story.

Citing research from Professor Dan McAdams at Northwestern University, Pryor says we can tell ourselves contamination stories or redemptive ones. “You can't control your first thought, but you can control your second one," says Pryor. It's natural to think 'Well, that was awkward or that was embarrassing. And that's OK. "Our second thought, however, can be to continue to ruminate or turn it into an alternative," says Pryor. A contamination story is, "Oh my gosh, I can't believe that happened. I'm never going to speak up at the table again with these relatives," or "I'm never going to contribute to the conversation."

Or you can turn it into a positive, which is, "'Well, that didn't go how I hoped, but I'm proud of myself considering I don't see these folks often that I contributed to the conversation, learned a lesson from it. The next time, maybe I'll handle it differently, but I spoke up and I'm proud because I don't typically do so.' Can you look for the gifts in the garbage of that situation?," asks Pryor.

Finally, recognize the universality of awkward moments. We all feel them, and we can’t avoid them. But by naming it, diffusing it (with humor or just calling it out), and reality-checking our emotions and self-doubt vs. letting it dictate our actions can help us breeze through them with confidence and ease.

“Look for the evidence and the facts,” says Pryor. “You can also ask yourself, "What else is true?" For example, "I may feel awkward right now, but I'm also having this conversation and that's a huge step for me and worth being proud of."

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This post has been updated.

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Surprise! More Starbucks Winter Menu Items Just Leaked For 2025

Well, if it isn’t another Starbucks menu leak! This go-around – courtesy of food blogger @markie_devo – speculates an exciting drop of 4 new drinks, 2 new snacks, and one very long-awaited reformulation to Starbucks’ matcha powder (at least, according to matcha fanatics like me). New items are rumored to drop on January 2 and February 4, 2025.

Scroll on to see everything rumored to join the Starbucks winter menu at the top of 2025!

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Of the 4 new drinks is a traditional café staple – the cortado – that Starbucks has never served before. It’s rumored to be made with shots of the chain’s “higher profile” ristretto espresso.

It also appears as though Starbucks is finally rethinking their approach to matcha lattes. Their current matcha powder comes pre-sweetened, enough to bulk up a single drink with 29 whopping grams of sugar. But, the new (rumored) powder will come “completely unsweetened” and only be sweetened with Starbucks’ classic syrup by default. Plus, the menu leak claims baristas will prepare matcha lattes in a blender moving forward – rather than a shaker – to better infuse the matcha powder for a smoother sip.

The menu leak comes about a month after Starbucks announced they’re no longer charging extra for alternative milk.

All in all, the leaked Starbucks winter menu for 2025 suggests that the chain is making small strides towards authenticity – perhaps a reflection of new CEO Brian Niccol‘s vision to return “back to Starbucks.”

Drinks On The Leaked 2025 Starbucks Winter Menu

Starbucks UK

NEW! Cortado

Starbucks' cortado debut will reportedly include 3 ristretto shots of blonde espresso and steamed whole milk. Ristretto shots are essentially more condensed than your traditional shot of espresso – they use half the amount of water for a more concentrated, sweeter taste.

Due to the traditional construction of a cortado, this drink will only be available in Starbucks' short size.

This drink is rumored to join the Starbucks winter menu on January 2, 2025.

NEW! Brown Sugar Oat Milk Cortado

The Brown Sugar Oat Milk Cortado is speculated to follow the same recipe, but swaps whole milk for oat milk and adds brown sugar syrup and cinnamon to the mix. It's extremely similar to the chain's popular Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso. It looks delish.

This drink is rumored to join the Starbucks winter menu on January 2, 2025.

@markie_devo

NEW! Blackberry Sage Refresher

Now this is how you do a flavor combo. Like most Starbucks Refreshers, this rumored iteration will be available to order as a plain Refresher or with lemonade.

This drink is rumored to join the Starbucks winter menu on February 4, 2025.

Starbucks

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Crème Frappuccino

This blended frozen bev hit the Starbucks menu back in February 2024, just in time for Valentine's Day (AKA the best holiday ever)! It's supposed to taste just like chocolate-covered strawberries, which makes me want a sip ASAP.

This drink is rumored to join the Starbucks winter menu on February 4, 2025.

NEW! Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Cold Brew

Hazelnut syrup and chocolate cream cold foam make this cold brew sweet as can be. It gets topped with some cookie crumbles for a fun texture, too. I love hazelnut and chocolate flavors respectively, so when mixed together, it's gotta be tasty!

This drink is rumored to join the Starbucks winter menu on February 4, 2025.

Starbucks

Pistachio Latte

Oh, I can't wait until the Pistacho Latte is back on the menu. Let's hope the rumors are true!

This drink is rumored to join the Starbucks winter menu on January 2, 2025.

Pistachio Cream Cold Brew

Speculated to join the famed Pistacho Latte is the Pistachio Cream Cold Brew, which layers a creamy layer of pistachio-infused cold foam on top of Starbucks' strong cold brew.

This drink is rumored to join the Starbucks winter menu on January 2, 2025.

Food On The Leaked 2025 Starbucks Winter Menu

@markie_devo

NEW! Spicy Falafel Pocket

Ooh, this new food item is vegan, according to menu leaks! It's rumored to include smashed falafel, creamy hummus, roasted red bell peppers, pickled onions, and a spicy herb sauce inside a toasted piece of lavash flatbread. Plus, it'll include a dippable cup of Bitchin' Sauce, which I am practically addicted to. I can't wait to try this one!

This item is rumored to join the Starbucks winter menu on January 2, 2025.

@markie_devo

Vanilla Bean Custard Danish

This danish is just like Starbucks' classic Cheese Danish, but leans sweeter, thanks to the vanilla bean.

This item is rumored to join the Starbucks winter menu on January 2, 2025.

@markie_devo

NEW! Valentine Cake Pop

Finally, this adorable little cake pop – Valentine's-themed, no less – flaunts a cute heart design with flavors of vanilla and buttercream.

This item is rumored to join the Starbucks winter menu on February 4, 2025.

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Rachel Zegler Is Incredible In The 'Snow White' Trailer — DUH!!

Following in the footsteps of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid, there's a new live Disney movie in the works: a live-action Snow White! The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes actress Rachel Zegler stars as Snow White in the new iteration, and this weekend, we got the first official look at the film!

Snow White has faced plenty of controversy this year, from the actors' comments to the costumes to the rest of the cast, but I'm actually excited for it. I'll see any story that places women at the forefront!!

Here's everything you need to know about the new live action Snow White, coming in 2025.

Is there a Snow White trailer?

Well, yes, the Snow White trailer is here! And I can't stop watching. Rachel Zegler's vocals, Gal Gadot's mystery, and the handsome Jonathan. Because, FYI, Rachel clarified that the movie WILL feature romance, telling Variety that "I would never want to box someone in and say, ‘If you want love, then you can’t work.’ Or ‘If you want to work, then you can’t have a family.’ It’s not true. It’s never been true."

"The love story is very integral," she continues. "A lot of people wrote that we weren’t doing [the romance] anymore — we were always doing that; it just wasn’t what we were talking about on that day."

I have had "Waiting on a Wish" (the new song by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul Rachel sings in the trailer) stuck in my head since I first heard it, and I CANNOT get enough. The vibrato on "meant" just scratches an itch in my brain!

What else has Rachel said about the movie?

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Disney

Like the live-action Disney movies before it, the new Snow White teaser trailer shows off a variety of shots you know and love from the original 1937 movie. But there's also a hint of modern edge that I'm excited to see in the final film. While the cartoon Snow White is pure sweetness, Rachel Zegler adds a touch of sass, spunk, and determination. I have no doubt she'll be able to bring the iconic princess into the modern age without sacrificing the goodness we love in the original character!

But as much as I love seeing Rachel Zegler in this starring role, I was not expecting the entire movie to look so CGI. The live-action Cinderella was successful aesthetically because it used so many practical elements, but so far, the Snow White visuals — from the animals to the dwarves to the cottage — seem a little hazy.

However some people are taking their critiques wayyyy too far and sending Zegler literal death threats. "fun fact i will be dying eight times a week on broadway this fall!!!!!" she says in response to a now-deleted tweet. "get your tickets, lee! also @fbi." You can see Zegler star in Romeo + Juliet opposite Kit Connor.

When is the live-action Snow White coming out?

Disney

Snow White Release Date

Snow White hits theaters on March 21, 2025! Check out the rest of the Most-Anticipated 2025 Movies you can watch next year. The lineup is already amazing.

What is the new Snow White movie about?

Disney

Snow White Plot

Based on the 1937 animated Disney movie, the 2025 Snow White will follow a similar plot, but it looks like it'll focus more on the princess becoming a leader than the OG movie. Rachel Zegler went viral for her comments on how the film would change the original story. "We absolutely wrote a Snow White [that's] not going to be saved by the prince, and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love," Rachel says in a clip from D23 in 2022. "She’s going to be dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be and that her late father told her that she could be if she was fearless, fair, brave, and true.”

Many internet users didn't like how Rachel phrased her problem with the original story, claiming that telling women they have to choose between falling in love and leadership is inherently anti-feminist. "No but she could fall in love AND be a leader at the same time," one TikTok user commented.

However, the extreme backlash to Rachel's comments was put in a new light after Priscilla star Jacob Elordi (who plays Elvis Presley) joked he didn't know much about Elvis except what he learned on Lilo & Stitch.

"Okay but when Rachel Zegler says she wasn’t a fan of the original Snow White (a cartoon btw), and only revisited it for her role as Snow White, she’s 'entitled' and a brat," one user wrote on X. "This just confirms Rachel Zegler hate is literally just misogyny." Say it louder for the people in the back!

Who else is in the cast of Snow White?

Disney

Snow White Cast

Gal Gadot will star as the Evil Queen opposite Rachel Zegler's Snow White. We'll also see Andrew Burnap as Jonathan (in place of the original film's Prince) and Ansu Kabia as the Huntsman.

I love that Rachel is starring as Snow White because she has always captured goodness and integrity without becoming harsh, which is a true feat. And director Marc Webb feels the same way. "[She] has an inherent grace, poise and goodness that reminds me so much of what is essential to Snow White," he told Variety.

Will Snow White be a musical?

Disney

Yes, Snow White is going to be a musical, just like the original film! In addition to original songs like "Whistle While You Work," La La Land and The Greatest Showman writers Pasek and Paul (who also added a couple of new songs to the 2019 Aladdin) wrote some new tunes for the film.

How many dwarves does Snow White have?

Disney

In the original film, Snow White meets seven dwarves: Doc, Bashful, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey, Happy, and Sleepy. After actor Peter Dinklage expressed his anger over the new story ("You're still making that f—king backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f—k are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soap box? I guess I'm not loud enough," he said in an episode of Marc Maron's WTF podcast), Disney released a statement to Good Morning America saying they were changing the original story.

"To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community," a Disney spokesperson said. "We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period."

However, the movie's first look clearly shows Rachel Zegler's Snow White surrounded by seven dwarfs, and honestly, we're even more confused than we were before about how Disney has updated the story, if at all.

What is the original dark story of Snow White?

Disney

In the original Grimm's Fairytales Snow White, the princess avoids even more brushes with death than she does in the Disney version. In addition to the poison apple, the queen also tries to suffocate her with too-tight bodice laces, as well as a poison comb through her hair.

Are you excited for Disney's Snow White, or do you wish they had just come up with a new story? Check out our Movies page for the latest news on the rest of this year's films, including this year's Fall Movies!

This post has been updated.

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