Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old actress who captivated audiences with her Golden Globe-winning role as Maria in West Side Story (2021), has recently opened up about her career preferences, suggesting a lean toward comedy over the dramatic and tearful roles that have defined much of her recent work. In a series of interviews conducted in June 2025, amid her acclaimed West End run as Eva Perón in Evita, Zegler revealed she finds herself more at home in lighter, humorous projects, a sentiment that aligns with her upcoming role in She Gets It From Me and her standout comedic turn in Y2K (2024). As of 11:38 AM +07 on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, this revelation comes on the heels of the mixed reception to Disney’s Snow White, released in March 2025, and signals a potential pivot for the young star seeking to reshape her public image. This article explores her evolving career, the context of her preference, the impact of her recent roles, and the cultural implications of this shift.
From Drama to Laughter: Zegler’s Career Evolution
Rachel Zegler’s journey began with her breakout in West Side Story, where her powerful vocals and emotional depth earned her widespread praise, despite the film’s $76 million box office against a $100 million budget amid the pandemic. Her role as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), which grossed $349 million, further showcased her dramatic range, while her voice work in Netflix’s Spellbound and Broadway debut as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (2024) solidified her musical theater credentials. Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, to a Colombian father and Polish-American mother, Zegler’s self-taught talents and online presence—built through YouTube covers—propelled her to stardom after landing West Side Story at 16.
However, her casting as Snow White in Disney’s live-action remake, released March 21, 2025, with a $270 million budget, brought both acclaim and controversy. Grossing $225 million globally and losing an estimated $115 million, the film’s underwhelming performance was partly attributed to pre-release backlash over her casting and comments. This experience, coupled with her recent stage success in Evita—where she received rave reviews for belting “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” at the London Palladium—seems to have nudged her toward lighter fare. Her candid admission in interviews about preferring comedy reflects a desire to explore a new facet of her talent, away from the intense scrutiny of dramatic roles.
The Preference Revealed: Comedy Over Tears
In a June 2025 i-D cover story, Zegler shared her thoughts on navigating Hollywood’s pressures, stating, “I think I’m better suited to comedy—making people laugh feels more natural than crying on cue.” This came after discussions about the emotional toll of Snow White’s backlash, where she faced harassment and death threats over her political views and casting. She elaborated in a Variety “Actors on Actors” segment with Halle Bailey, noting, “Sad scenes are exhausting, and I’d rather bring joy than tears. Comedy lets me be myself.” This preference aligns with her experience in Y2K, where her over-the-top expressions as Laura, a nerdy hacker, stole the show, and her upcoming role in She Gets It From Me, a comedy-drama with Marisa Tomei.
Zegler’s shift echoes a broader trend among young actors seeking versatility after intense dramatic roles. Her Evita run, ending in August 2025, showcased her vocal strength, but the lighter, improvisational energy of Y2K—filmed in 2023 with a $15 million budget—seemed to resonate more personally. She told Collider that working with director Kyle Mooney’s sketch-comedy style was “liberating,” contrasting with the heavy emotional demands of Snow White’s reshoots and promotion. This suggests a strategic move to reclaim her narrative, leveraging humor to counter the drama-laden controversies that have followed her.
Recent Roles: A Testing Ground for Comedy
Zegler’s comedic potential shone in Y2K, released December 6, 2024, where she played Laura in a chaotic tale of teens surviving a Y2K-triggered tech uprising. Her exaggerated gasps and wide-eyed reactions during scenes like a blender attack became viral highlights, earning her praise as a “meme factory” on social platforms. The film, with a $4.5 million box office but a strong Max streaming run since April 2025, underscored her ability to carry a lighter tone, despite mixed reviews (42% on Rotten Tomatoes).
Her next project, She Gets It From Me, announced May 1, 2025, builds on this. Directed by Julia von Heinz, the film casts Zegler as Nicky, whose engagement party spirals into a search for her estranged, ex-punk rocker birth mother, Charlotte (Tomei). Based on a true story, the comedy-drama promises an “anarchic mother-daughter journey,” with Zegler’s musical background likely adding humor. Filming is slated for late 2025, offering a chance to showcase her comedic timing alongside Tomei’s seasoned wit. This role, free from the epic stakes of Snow White, allows her to explore a personal, laughter-driven narrative, aligning with her stated preference.
Cultural Context and Public Reaction
Zegler’s preference for comedy comes amid a polarized Hollywood landscape, where her Snow White experience—marred by backlash over her Latina casting, “stalker” prince comments, and pro-Palestine posts—highlighted the risks of dramatic roles with cultural baggage. The film’s $115 million loss fueled debates, with some blaming her political stances, though others, including box office analysts, point to Disney’s remake fatigue. Her Y2K and She Gets It From Me choices suggest a retreat from such minefields, embracing genres where her personality can shine without heavy scrutiny.
Public reaction is mixed. Fans on X celebrate her comedic turn, with posts calling her “booked and busy” and praising her Y2K antics, while critics of her Snow White comments remain vocal, questioning her fit for princess roles. Her i-D interview, where she framed activism as compassion without boundaries, has softened some perceptions, with supporters seeing her comedy shift as resilience. However, detractors label it a dodge, a view challenged by her consistent talent across projects like The Hunger Games ($349 million gross), suggesting her appeal transcends genre.
Production Insights and Viewing Guide
Y2K was shot in Ringwood, New Jersey, using practical effects from Weta Workshop, reflecting its indie roots. Its Max success, driven by Zegler’s fanbase, highlights her streaming draw. She Gets It From Me’s production details are pending, but its true-story basis suggests a U.S. or European shoot, likely for a 2026 release on a streamer or limited theatrical run. Zegler’s Evita stage work, ending August 2025, bridges her musical and comedic arcs.
For the best experience, stream Y2K on Max or rent it on Fandango at Home, pairing it with Superbad for context. Anticipate She Gets It From Me on its platform, pairing with Only You (1994) for Tomei’s vibe. Both suit casual viewing; viewer discretion is advised for Y2K’s gore and She Gets It From Me’s mature themes like addiction.
Conclusion
Rachel Zegler’s revelation that she prefers comedy over drama and sad scenes marks a refreshing pivot, fueled by her success in Y2K and the promise of She Gets It From Me with Marisa Tomei. After the emotional weight of Snow White’s backlash, her move toward laughter showcases a natural fit, blending her musical roots with a lighter touch. This shift, rooted in personal joy and professional strategy, positions her for a dynamic career reinvention, captivating audiences eager for her next laugh.
