Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old Golden Globe-winning actress known for her breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021), is reportedly grappling with a significant career setback. Her latest project, a West End revival of Evita at the London Palladium, has been plagued by claims of dismal ticket sales, with some sources exaggerating that prices have dropped to as low as $0 due to lack of interest. These reports follow the high-profile failure of Disney’s live-action Snow White (2025), in which Zegler starred, which has been branded one of Disney’s biggest box office flops. Amid these professional challenges, social media posts and YouTube videos have amplified narratives of Zegler’s emotional distress, claiming she was “in tears” over the situation. This article explores the controversies surrounding Zegler, the reported struggles of Evita, the fallout from Snow White, and the broader implications for her career in Hollywood.

The Evita Ticket Sales Controversy

Zegler’s West End debut as Eva Perón in Evita, directed by Jamie Lloyd, was anticipated to be a triumphant return to her theatrical roots. The production, running from June 14 to September 6, 2025, at the prestigious London Palladium, was expected to showcase her vocal and dramatic talents. However, reports from outlets like the Daily Mail and YouTube channels have claimed that ticket sales for the 2,286-seat venue are struggling, with large sections of seats remaining unsold just weeks before the preview performances. A YouTube video titled “Rachel Zegler’s NEW London Show FLOPS As Tickets FAIL To Sell” (posted May 8, 2025) suggested that the lack of sales reflects a “humiliating failure” for Zegler, with some even claiming tickets were being offered for free to fill seats.

These claims, however, require scrutiny. A Deadline report from March 14, 2025, noted that Evita had already sold nearly $4 million in tickets before Zegler’s casting was officially announced, indicating strong initial interest driven by the Evita brand and Lloyd’s reputation. Discussions on Reddit’s r/WestEndTheatre have also questioned the “flop” narrative, pointing out that ticket sales for summer runs often increase closer to the opening date, particularly for star-driven shows. The Daily Mail’s snapshot of ticket availability may not reflect the full sales trajectory, and YouTube videos often lack verifiable data beyond anecdotal checks. Nevertheless, the narrative of Evita’s struggles has gained traction, fueled by Zegler’s recent controversies and amplified by clickbait headlines.

The Snow White Debacle

The Evita ticket sales narrative is inseparable from the fallout of Disney’s Snow White, released on March 21, 2025, which has been widely labeled a box office disaster. With a production budget exceeding $250 million (excluding marketing costs), the film earned a mere $43 million domestically during its opening weekend and has since struggled to reach $202.8 million worldwide, far short of the estimated $500 million needed to break even. The film’s failure has been attributed to multiple factors, including controversial CGI choices for the dwarfs, a shift away from the original 1937 animated classic’s narrative, and Zegler’s polarizing public statements.

Zegler faced significant backlash for comments made during the film’s promotion, including calling the original Snow White “weird” and dismissing its love story as outdated. She emphasized that the remake focused on Snow White’s “inner journey” rather than romance, which alienated some fans of the classic fairy tale. Her political comments, particularly her vocal support for Palestine, also sparked controversy, especially given her co-star Gal Gadot’s Israeli background. Reports of tension between the two actresses, including a frosty Oscars co-presentation and Zegler’s omission of Gadot in promotional posts, further fueled negative publicity.

Social media amplified these issues, with posts on X highlighting Zegler’s appearance in a near-empty theater to watch Snow White. One post by @TheFabBookLover on March 26, 2025, remarked, “Rachel Zegler watching her box office flop Snow White in an empty theater. This level of delusion should be studied.” Another by @cartierfamilyZ on March 28, 2025, called it her “final humiliation.” While these posts reflect public sentiment, they lack concrete evidence of Zegler’s emotional state, and claims of her “collapsing in tears” appear to be sensationalized exaggerations.

Zegler’s Controversial Public Image

Zegler’s outspoken nature has been both a strength and a liability. Her comments about Snow White, coupled with political statements—such as a post wishing that Trump supporters “never know peace” after his reelection—have alienated segments of her audience. Disney reportedly assigned her a social media expert to vet her posts, and producer Marc Platt’s son, Jonah, publicly criticized her as “immature” and “narcissistic” for her remarks, blaming her for the film’s failure. These controversies have painted Zegler as a polarizing figure, with some critics arguing she has sabotaged her own career by failing to navigate the delicate balance of public relations in Hollywood.

However, Zegler’s defenders argue that she has been unfairly targeted. As a young Latina actress, she has faced racial discrimination since her casting in West Side Story, and her Snow White role drew criticism from those who felt her Colombian and Polish heritage did not align with the fairy tale’s description of “skin as white as snow.” Supporters on X and Reddit have praised her resilience, noting that her talent—evidenced by her Golden Globe win and critical acclaim for West Side Story and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes—should not be overshadowed by controversy. They argue that the Evita “flop” narrative is premature and driven by a broader pattern of targeting outspoken young actresses.

The Broader Context: Hollywood’s Challenges with Young Stars

Zegler’s situation reflects broader challenges faced by young celebrities in the digital age. The rise of social media has given stars like Zegler a platform to express their views, but it also amplifies their missteps. Public relations expert Nick Ede noted that Zegler’s comments on Snow White contrasted sharply with the approach of The Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey, who embraced her role without alienating fans. Hollywood’s marketing machine relies on stars to generate positive buzz, but Zegler’s outspokenness has instead stoked culture wars, as noted by The Daily Wire.

The Evita ticket sales narrative also highlights the precarious nature of star-driven theater productions. While Zegler’s casting was meant to draw audiences, the Daily Mail reported that the production’s high ticket prices (starting at £29.50) and the lingering fallout from Snow White may have deterred theatergoers. Yet, the claim that tickets have dropped to $0 is likely hyperbolic, as no verified evidence supports this. Instead, it appears to be a sensationalized narrative pushed by YouTube channels and social media to capitalize on Zegler’s controversies.

Zegler’s Path Forward

Despite these setbacks, Zegler’s career is far from over. She has already lined up her next project, a comedy-drama titled She Gets It from Me, where she will star alongside Marisa Tomei as the daughter of a free-spirited, ex-punk rocker. While some X users expressed skepticism about her casting, others praised her for staying “booked and busy,” suggesting that her talent and fanbase will carry her forward. Her performance in Evita has also received positive early reviews, with critics noting her vocal prowess and stage presence, which could help counter the negative narrative if the production gains momentum.

The challenges Zegler faces are not unique. Other young stars, like Brie Larson after The Marvels, have turned to smaller projects or theater to rebuild their image after high-profile flops. For Zegler, Evita represents an opportunity to reconnect with her theatrical roots and prove her detractors wrong. As Reddit discussions suggest, the production still has time to build momentum, and the prestige of Evita under Jamie Lloyd’s direction could attract audiences as the opening approaches.

Conclusion

Rachel Zegler’s reported emotional distress over Evita’s ticket sales and Snow White’s box office failure has been exaggerated by sensationalized headlines and social media posts. While Evita is facing challenges with ticket sales, claims of tickets dropping to $0 lack credible evidence and appear to be driven by clickbait. Similarly, the narrative of Zegler “collapsing in tears” stems from unverified sources and reflects a broader pattern of targeting her for her outspoken views. Despite these setbacks, Zegler’s talent and resilience position her for a potential comeback. As she navigates the complexities of fame, her story underscores the challenges young stars face in balancing personal expression with public expectations in an unforgiving industry.