Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old actress who skyrocketed to fame with her role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021), has found herself embroiled in a dramatic controversy that threatens to derail her burgeoning career. On May 16, 2025, leaked footage surfaced online, allegedly showing Zegler being escorted off stage by security during a rehearsal for the West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s iconic musical Evita. The incident, coupled with reports of a “meltdown” and her being labeled a “nightmare” by director Jamie Lloyd in private notes that leaked on May 20, has ignited a firestorm of speculation about Zegler’s professionalism, her future in the production, and her standing in the entertainment industry. This article delves into the shocking events, the context of Zegler’s recent career challenges, and the broader implications of this unfolding drama.

A High-Profile Role Turns Chaotic

Zegler’s casting as Eva Perón in Evita was announced in March 2025, marking her West End debut in a highly anticipated production at the London Palladium, scheduled to run from June 14 to September 6. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, known for his bold reinterpretations of classic musicals, the revival was poised to be a defining moment in Zegler’s career. Lloyd initially praised Zegler, telling Deadline that he was “struck by her incredible passion for this show” and believed she would “blow the roof off the London Palladium.” Zegler herself expressed a deep personal connection to the musical, sharing in a statement that she and her father used to sing “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” together when she was a child. The role of Eva Perón, a historical figure who rose from poverty to become Argentina’s First Lady, seemed tailor-made for Zegler, whose own journey from obscurity to stardom echoed Eva’s ambition.

However, the production took a dramatic turn in early May 2025, when reports of behind-the-scenes tension began to emerge. Insiders claimed that Zegler’s behavior during rehearsals had created friction with the cast, crew, and Lloyd himself. On May 14, a YouTube video titled “Rachel Zegler LOSES IT After SHOCKING Evita Rehearsal Confrontation LEAKS Online” alleged that Zegler had a “diva meltdown,” though details were vague. The situation escalated on May 16, when multiple sources, including YouTube channels, reported that Zegler was forcibly removed from rehearsal by security. The leaked footage, which surfaced online that day, allegedly showed Zegler being escorted off stage, with some reports claiming she didn’t simply walk off or quit—she was “dragged out” after a heated confrontation.

The drama reached a boiling point on May 20, when private notes attributed to Jamie Lloyd were leaked, allegedly describing Zegler as a “nightmare” to work with. Sources claim that Lloyd expressed frustration with Zegler’s attitude, citing her as uncooperative and disruptive, which reportedly disrupted the rehearsal process. The leak has fueled speculation that Zegler’s behavior may have led to her replacement, with fans spotting a new actress in a viral rehearsal clip just before the notes surfaced. The combination of the leaked footage and the director’s alleged notes has cast a dark shadow over what was meant to be a triumphant moment for Zegler, raising questions about her professionalism and whether she will remain in the production.

A Career Already on Shaky Ground

The Evita drama comes at a precarious time for Zegler, whose career has been under intense scrutiny in recent years. After her breakout role in West Side Story, which earned her critical acclaim and a Golden Globe, Zegler quickly secured leading roles in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023) and Disney’s live-action Snow White (2025), which premiered on March 21, 2025. However, her rise to fame has been marred by controversies that have damaged her public image. During the Snow White press tour, Zegler faced backlash for her comments criticizing the 1937 animated classic as “extremely dated” in its portrayal of women and dismissing the original love story as “weird” because the prince “stalks” Snow White. She also made polarizing political statements, including a post after Donald Trump’s reelection in 2024 wishing that “Trump supporters and Trump himself never know peace,” which she later apologized for.

The Snow White remake underperformed at the box office, with some attributing its failure to Zegler’s comments alienating Disney’s core audience. Reports suggest the film resulted in a $100 million loss for Disney, and a producer’s son allegedly blamed Zegler directly for its poor performance. By May 2025, rumors were circulating that Zegler was considered “unhireable” by some studios, with one YouTube channel claiming on May 18 that she had been “blacklisted” by Hollywood following the Evita meltdown. While these claims remain unverified, they reflect a growing narrative that Zegler’s outspoken nature and alleged unprofessional behavior are jeopardizing her career.

Zegler’s Evita role was seen as an opportunity to redeem her image and showcase her talent on the West End stage, especially after a successful Broadway run in Romeo + Juliet (2024), which recouped its $7 million budget and attracted the youngest ticket-buying audience in Broadway history. Her casting in Evita was initially met with excitement, with producer David Harrison telling WhatsOnStage in April that Zegler’s audition tape was “sensational” and that ticket sales were “through the roof.” However, recent reports paint a different picture, with sources like the Daily Mail noting that ticket sales have since plummeted, with rows of seats remaining unsold even at reduced prices, a stark contrast to the initial hype.

The Leaked Footage: What Really Happened?

The leaked footage of Zegler being escorted off stage has become the focal point of the Evita controversy, with multiple YouTube channels describing the incident in vivid detail. According to these reports, Zegler didn’t simply leave the rehearsal of her own accord—she was forcibly removed by security after a confrontation that spiraled out of control. The exact nature of the confrontation remains unclear, with some sources alleging that Zegler had a “diva meltdown,” while others, like a YouTube video from May 14, claim she blamed the “toxic rehearsal culture” for her behavior. Posts on X around the same time echoed these sentiments, with users sharing links to videos that described Zegler’s actions as “shocking” and “outrageous.”

The footage itself, while widely discussed, has not been independently verified, and Zegler has not publicly addressed the incident as of May 20, 2025. However, the consistency of the reports across multiple sources suggests that something significant occurred during rehearsals. The subsequent leak of Jamie Lloyd’s alleged private notes, which reportedly labeled Zegler a “nightmare,” has only added fuel to the fire. Lloyd, a respected director known for his work on productions like Sunset Boulevard and a 2019 Evita revival at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, initially expressed enthusiasm for Zegler, making the alleged notes all the more damning. If true, they indicate a severe breakdown in their working relationship, one that may have led to Zegler’s rumored replacement in the production.

The Fallout: A Career at a Crossroads

The fallout from the Evita rehearsal meltdown has been swift and severe. Reports of Zegler being “blacklisted” by Hollywood studios surfaced on May 18, with some sources claiming she had “blown it big time” and was now considered “too dangerous to touch” due to her inability to “know when to shut up.” While these claims are speculative, they reflect a growing sentiment that Zegler’s career is in jeopardy. Her Snow White controversy already strained her relationship with some studios, and the Evita drama has amplified concerns about her professionalism and marketability.

Theater audiences have also been hesitant to embrace the production. Despite early reports of strong ticket sales, recent updates indicate that the 2,286-seat London Palladium is struggling to fill seats, with “awash in green good availability” for most performances. This poor performance at the box office has been attributed to a combination of factors: the Snow White backlash, Zegler’s polarizing public persona, and now the Evita rehearsal drama. Some Reddit users on r/TheWestEnd noted as early as April that the production was struggling to sell seats even after slashing prices, a troubling sign for a show that was banking on Zegler’s star power.

Zegler’s rumored replacement, as spotted in a viral rehearsal clip on May 19, has further fueled speculation about her future in the production. While no official announcement has confirmed her exit, the combination of the leaked footage, the director’s alleged notes, and the casting rumors suggests that her time with Evita may have ended abruptly. If true, this would mark a significant setback for Zegler, whose West End debut was meant to be a career-defining moment.

A Cautionary Tale for Young Stars

The Evita rehearsal meltdown serves as a cautionary tale for young stars navigating the pressures of fame in the digital age. Zegler’s rapid rise brought with it intense scrutiny, and her outspoken nature has often put her at odds with fans and industry insiders. Her comments on Snow White and her political statements were already divisive, but the Evita drama has shifted the narrative to questions about her professionalism and ability to handle the demands of a high-profile production.

Theater, unlike film, requires a level of discipline and collaboration that leaves little room for disruptive behavior. A 12-week run in a vocally and emotionally demanding role like Eva Perón demands stamina, humility, and a willingness to take direction—qualities that, according to the leaked notes, Zegler may have struggled to embody. While the full truth of what happened during rehearsals remains unclear, the consistency of the allegations across multiple sources suggests there may be some validity to the claims. Zegler’s silence on the matter has only fueled speculation, leaving fans and critics to piece together the story from leaks and rumors.

What’s Next for Rachel Zegler?

As the Evita drama continues to unfold, the question on everyone’s mind is: what’s next for Rachel Zegler? If the reports of her being blacklisted are true, she may face an uphill battle to regain the trust of studios and producers. However, Zegler has shown resilience in the past, bouncing back from the Snow White controversy to deliver a successful Broadway run in Romeo + Juliet. Her vocal talent and charisma are undeniable, and at 23, she has time to rebuild her career—if she can learn from this experience.

For now, the Evita production remains in limbo, with its opening night just weeks away. Whether Zegler remains in the role or a new actress takes her place, the controversy has already cast a shadow over what was meant to be a triumphant West End debut. For Zegler, the path forward will require reflection, humility, and a more measured approach to her public persona. For fans of Evita, the drama offstage has proven to be as gripping as the story onstage—a reminder that in the world of theater, the real show often happens behind the curtain.