Tom Blyth Defends Rachel Zegler Following Harsh Criticism Towards Her All Over Social Media

Hunger Games star Tom Blyth offers a heartfelt defense of co-star Rachel Zegler amid ongoing media scrutiny and public backlash.

Speaking to The Independent, Blyth opened up about the challenges of dealing with public scrutiny in today’s fast-paced digital culture. He said that filming 2023’s Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, taught him “not to buy into [things] too much,” adding, “I know why I do this. It’s not for the attention. It’s for the love of it.”

Blyth also spoke warmly about co-star Zegler, describing her as “like a little sister” to him. He acknowledged the harsh reality she faces as a young woman in the public eye, noting, “It’s just such a harsh world out there.” Despite the backlash, he praised Zegler’s resilience, stating, “She takes it on the chin like a champ […] I’m proud of her.”

Tom Blyth’s defense of his former co-star arrives amid increasing conversations about celebrity activism following Rachel Zegler’s Snow White controversies. In recent months, Zegler has been vocal on topics including Israel and Palestine, racism, feminism, and American politics, which has drawn waves of criticism and trolling online. However, Blythe highlights Zegler’s resolve and work ethic despite the ongoing backlash.

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was released in 2023, and is a prequel to the iconic Hunger Games franchise. Based on Suzanne Collins’ 2020 novel of the same name, the film follows Coriolanus “Coryo” Snow (Blyth) as he mentors Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler), a District 12 tribute whose story intertwines with Snow’s rise in Panem’s political and social hierarchy.

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes brought both Blyth and Zegler into the spotlight – the Hunger Games prequel grossed $349 million at the box office – introducing them to a franchise with a passionate and vocal fanbase. Blyth’s candid remarks reveal his thoughts on navigating that public scrutiny, offering perspective on how both he and Zegler have handled visibility following the film’s release.

Both Blyth and Zegler have continued to take on high-profile projects since Hunger Games. Zegler recently had a lead role in Disney’s critically panned live-action Snow White. However, her West End debut as Eva Perón in Evita was well-received. Zegler has also been cast in comedy-drama She Gets It From Me alongside Marisa Tomei, although no release date is known.

Blyth, meanwhile, has starred as the lead role in Billy the Kid since 2022, with a slew of films on the way, including Netflix’s People We Meet on Vacation, which will debut in January 2026. Blyth will also co-lead the upcoming Watch Dogs movie, the British drama Wasteman and English-language French film The Fence, showing a marked rise since Hunger Games.

Created by

Suzanne Collins

First Film

The Hunger Games

Cast

Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Lenny Kravitz, Willow Shields, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Jason Schwartzman

Movie(s)

The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Hunger Games is a multi-movie franchise starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. The films are based on the young adult dystopian book series by author Suzanne Collins. The first film was released in 2012, followed by Catching Fire in 2013, Mockingjay Part 1 in 2014, and Mockingjay Part 2 in 2015. In 2023, the fifth film in the series was released, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.