Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old actress who skyrocketed to fame with her Golden Globe-winning role as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 West Side Story, has found herself at the center of a brewing controversy. On May 13, 2025, a YouTube video and several posts on X claimed that director Jamie Lloyd had fired Zegler from his upcoming revival of Evita at the London Palladium due to her alleged behavior during rehearsals. The production, which began rehearsals on April 28, 2025, is set to run from June 14 to September 6, with an official opening on July 1. However, as of today, no reputable news outlet has confirmed these claims, raising questions about their validity and prompting a deeper look into Zegler’s journey with Evita, her recent career challenges, and the dynamics of this high-profile production.

Zegler’s casting as Eva Perón in Lloyd’s reimagined take on the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical was announced on March 14, 2025, by Deadline and Playbill. The role marks Zegler’s West End debut, a significant milestone for the young actress who recently wrapped a successful Broadway run as Juliet in Romeo + Juliet alongside Kit Connor, which recouped its $7 million capitalization by February 2025. Zegler expressed a deep personal connection to Evita, stating in a press release, “Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would sing ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ together on my back patio.” Lloyd, fresh off the success of his Olivier Award-winning Sunset Boulevard revival on Broadway, praised Zegler as a “phenomenal talent” who would “blow the roof off the London Palladium,” signaling high expectations for her portrayal of the iconic Argentine First Lady.

The Evita cast, finalized by April 30, 2025, includes Diego Andres Rodriguez as Che, James Olivas as Juan Perón, Aaron Lee Lambert as Agustín Magaldi, and Bella Brown as The Mistress/Alternate Eva, with a full ensemble ready to bring the story of Eva Perón’s rise from poverty to power to life. Lloyd, who previously directed Evita at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2019, aimed to evolve that production with “new elements,” as noted by West End Theatre. The show, produced by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals and The Jamie Lloyd Company, has generated buzz for its fresh approach, with 5,000 tickets priced at £25 for under-30s, key workers, and those on government benefits, as reported by WhatsOnStage on May 12, 2025.

Despite this excitement, the production has faced challenges. The Daily Mail reported on April 22, 2025, that ticket sales have been lackluster, with many seats still available across June, July, August, and September, even at the affordable starting price of £29.50 for the 2,286-seat venue. This slow sales pace contrasts with earlier reports from Deadline, which noted that nearly $4 million in tickets had been sold before Zegler’s casting was announced, suggesting that her star power hasn’t translated into the expected box office surge. This backdrop of underwhelming sales may have contributed to the emergence of rumors about Zegler’s alleged firing, as struggling productions often become fertile ground for speculation and gossip.

The rumor of Lloyd firing Zegler surfaced on May 13, 2025, through a YouTube video titled “Jamie Lloyd FIRES Rachel Zegler After What She ALLEGEDLY Did During Evita Rehearsals” and related posts on X. These sources claim that Zegler’s behavior during rehearsals led to her dismissal, but they fail to provide specific details about what she allegedly did, making the accusations vague and unsubstantiated. Given that X posts and YouTube videos are often speculative and can spread misinformation, as noted in guidelines for handling such sources, this claim must be treated with skepticism. No major news outlets, such as Variety, Playbill, or Deadline, have reported Zegler’s dismissal as of today, and the production’s official website, EvitaTheMusical.com, still lists her as the lead. The absence of confirmation from credible sources suggests that the rumor may be unfounded, possibly fueled by Zegler’s recent controversies rather than any actual incident.

Zegler has faced significant scrutiny in recent months, particularly surrounding her role in Disney’s live-action Snow White, released on March 21, 2025. The film, which cost at least $350 million to make and market, has underperformed, earning only $184.9 million globally, according to the Daily Mail. Zegler’s comments during the press tour—calling the 1937 animated classic “dated” and describing the Prince as a “stalker”—sparked backlash from fans who felt she disrespected the original, as reported by London Theatre Reviews. Additionally, tensions with co-star Gal Gadot over differing political views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict added to the negative press, further tarnishing Zegler’s public image. These controversies may have made her a target for exaggerated or fabricated rumors, such as the alleged firing from Evita, as detractors capitalize on her polarizing reputation.

Critically examining the situation, it’s worth considering the dynamics of Lloyd’s production and Zegler’s role within it. Lloyd has a history of working with high-profile talent, as seen with his Sunset Boulevard revival starring Nicole Scherzinger, which received rave reviews on Broadway. His decision to cast Zegler, one of the “highest-paid stars” on the West End this season per Deadline, reflects confidence in her ability to draw audiences, despite the slow ticket sales. Firing a lead actress just weeks before previews begin would be a drastic and costly move, especially without public confirmation or a replacement announcement. The lack of such developments suggests that the rumor may be a product of online speculation rather than reality.

Zegler’s career trajectory also provides context for understanding this rumor. Since her breakout in West Side Story, she has starred in major films like The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), and her Broadway debut in Romeo + Juliet was a commercial success. However, her outspoken nature—seen in her Snow White comments and social media presence—has made her a lightning rod for criticism. The Evita rumor could be an extension of this backlash, amplified by the production’s struggles at the box office and the broader cultural tendency to scrutinize young women in the spotlight, particularly those of Latina descent like Zegler, who has spoken about facing microaggressions in Hollywood.

The broader context of Evita’s revival also warrants reflection. The musical, which chronicles Eva Perón’s rise and fall, has a storied history, with iconic performances by Elaine Paige and Patti LuPone in its original West End and Broadway runs, and Madonna in the 1996 film adaptation. Lloyd’s 2019 production at Regent’s Park was critically acclaimed, earning two Olivier Award nominations, and this revival aims to build on that success with a fresh perspective. Zegler, at 24, is among the youngest to play Eva, who died at 33, bringing a new generational lens to the role. Her casting aligns with Lloyd’s vision of an “exciting Eva for a whole new generation,” as he told Deadline, but the production’s challenges—slow ticket sales and now this rumor—highlight the high stakes of reimagining a beloved classic.

For now, the claim that Jamie Lloyd fired Rachel Zegler remains unconfirmed, and fans should approach such rumors with caution. Zegler’s dedication to Evita, evidenced by her heartfelt statements and the personal significance of the role, suggests she is committed to delivering a powerful performance. Whether the production can overcome its current hurdles and live up to expectations remains to be seen, but Zegler’s journey—marked by resilience in the face of adversity—continues to captivate and divide audiences. As Evita prepares to open in just over a month, all eyes will be on Zegler, not for an alleged firing, but for her ability to embody one of musical theater’s most iconic roles.