On March 14, 2025, the theater world buzzed with excitement as Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old star of West Side Story and Disney’s controversial Snow White, was announced as Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd’s revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita at the London Palladium. The production, set to run from June 14 to September 6, 2025, marks Zegler’s West End debut—a significant milestone for the young actress who has already made waves in Hollywood and on Broadway. But how did Zegler secure this iconic role, and what rumors and historical context shaped this casting news? The story of her journey to Evita is one of talent, ambition, controversy, and a deep personal connection to the musical, set against the backdrop of a career marked by both acclaim and scrutiny.

Zegler’s path to Evita began long before her name became synonymous with Hollywood. Born in New Jersey to a Colombian mother and Polish father, Zegler grew up immersed in musical theater, performing in school productions and community shows. In 2015, at the age of 14, she started a YouTube channel where she posted covers of pop hits and musical theater classics, showcasing her powerful voice. Her rendition of “Shallow” from A Star Is Born went viral, amassing over 7 million views—a remarkable feat for a high schooler. It was a sign of her raw talent, but also her determination to be seen in an industry that often overlooks Latina actresses.

Her big break came in 2018 when she responded to an open casting call for Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story. Zegler submitted a video of herself singing “I Feel Pretty” in Spanish, a nod to her heritage, and beat out 30,000 other applicants for the role of Maria. The film, released in 2021, earned critical acclaim, and Zegler’s performance won her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy—the youngest winner in that category and the first of Colombian descent. Spielberg personally recommended her to Marc Webb for Disney’s live-action Snow White, cementing her status as a rising star. But her rapid ascent was not without challenges, as her outspokenness and the controversies surrounding Snow White would soon cast a shadow over her career.

Zegler’s journey to the stage was a natural progression. In 2024, she made her Broadway debut in Romeo + Juliet opposite Kit Connor, a production that drew the youngest ticket-buying audience in Broadway history, according to Vulture. The show was a commercial success, and Zegler’s performance as Juliet showcased her ability to command a stage, a skill she had honed since her early days in school productions. Her love for theater was evident, and she often spoke of it as her true home, a sentiment that would later resonate in her Evita casting announcement. “The stage has always felt like home to me,” she said in a statement, reflecting on her upcoming West End debut.

The announcement of Evita came at a tumultuous time for Zegler. Her role in Snow White, released in March 2025, had been mired in controversy since 2022, when she called the 1937 animated film “extremely dated” and criticized its portrayal of the prince as a “stalker.” The comments, made in an interview with Extra TV, sparked backlash from fans who accused her of disrespecting a classic. The film itself, which replaced the seven dwarves with “magical creatures” to avoid stereotypes, was labeled “woke” by detractors and flopped at the box office, grossing just $87 million against a $270 million budget, according to Variety. Zegler’s political activism, including her support for Palestine and criticism of Donald Trump, further fueled the fire, with Disney insiders reportedly blaming her for the film’s failure. Rumors swirled that she was “untouchable” in Hollywood, with reports from Yahoo suggesting that ticket sales for Evita were struggling, a stark contrast to the hype surrounding her Broadway run.

Amid this backdrop, rumors began to circulate about who would play Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd’s Evita revival. The production, an evolution of Lloyd’s critically acclaimed 2019 staging at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, had been generating buzz since its announcement in late 2024. Lloyd, known for his innovative takes on classics like Sunset Blvd., was a draw for theater fans, and the role of Eva Perón—a complex figure who rises from poverty to become Argentina’s First Lady—was a coveted one. Early speculation pointed to Ariana DeBose, Zegler’s West Side Story co-star, who had won an Oscar for her role as Anita in the same film. DeBose, 34, was seen as a natural fit, with her proven stage experience and vocal prowess. Sources reported by the Daily Mail claimed that DeBose had been in talks for the role for months, and her casting seemed all but confirmed.

However, Zegler’s name entered the conversation unexpectedly. According to WhatsOnStage, producer Michael Harrison revealed that Zegler had been “desperate” to play Eva Perón, a role she had long dreamed of. “It was her idea,” Harrison said, noting that Zegler submitted an audition tape that left the team in awe. “She was sensational. She worked with our musical supervisor in New York on the material, and the versions of the songs were terrific.” Zegler’s personal connection to the musical was a key factor—she had grown up singing “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” with her father on their back patio, a memory she shared in her statement: “Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl… The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd’s singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honor unlike any other.”

The decision to cast Zegler over DeBose sparked immediate rumors of tension. Posts on X speculated about a falling out between the two actresses, with some pointing to Zegler’s failure to publicly congratulate DeBose on her 2022 Oscar win as evidence of a rift. The Daily Mail reported that Madonna, who played Eva Perón in the 1996 film adaptation and won a Golden Globe for her performance, was displeased with Zegler’s casting, allegedly because Zegler failed to acknowledge her predecessor’s iconic turn. “Madonna isn’t the only one raising questions about Zegler’s casting,” the outlet noted, hinting at broader skepticism within the industry about whether Zegler, fresh off the Snow White debacle, was the right choice for such a demanding role.

Despite the rumors, the Evita team stood firmly behind Zegler. Jamie Lloyd praised her as a “phenomenal talent,” predicting that she would “blow the roof off the London Palladium.” The production, set to feature Diego Andres Rodriguez as Che and James Olivas as Juan Perón, also announced a £25 ticket scheme for under-30s, key workers, and those on government benefits, ensuring accessibility for a diverse audience. Rehearsals began in late April 2025, with Zegler flying to London to prepare for the 12-week run, as confirmed by posts on X from @ZeglerDaily. Early rehearsal photos showed Zegler in character, her intensity hinting at a powerful performance to come.

The history leading to this casting news is a tapestry of Zegler’s undeniable talent and the challenges she faces as a young Latina actress in a scrutinizing industry. Her breakthrough in West Side Story was a testament to her vocal and acting abilities, but it also exposed her to Hollywood’s double standards. During the casting process, she faced repeated questioning from white studio executives about her Latina identity, an experience she recounted in a 2025 Allure interview: “They kept calling to ask if I was legit. I remember thinking, ‘Do you want me to bring my abuelita in?’” Her outspokenness—whether about Snow White, systemic racism, or political issues—has made her a target for backlash, with critics often framing her as a “diva” or “ungrateful,” labels rarely applied to male actors who speak their minds.

Zegler’s casting in Evita is a chance to reclaim her narrative. The role of Eva Perón, a woman who defied societal norms to become a political icon, mirrors Zegler’s own journey as a Latina actress breaking barriers in a predominantly white industry. Yet, the rumors of industry discontent and fan skepticism underscore the uphill battle she faces. Ticket sales struggles, as reported by Yahoo, suggest that her Snow White controversy may have followed her to the West End, but her talent and passion for the role could turn the tide. As Evita prepares to open, Zegler’s performance will be a defining moment—one that could either silence her critics or fuel the ongoing debate about her place in the spotlight.