Rachel Zegler
Zegler in 2019
Born (2001-05-03) May 3, 2001
Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active2015–present

Rachel Zegler (/ˈzɛɡlər/;[1] born May 3, 2001[2]) is an American actress and singer. She came to prominence with her film debut playing María in Steven Spielberg's musical adaptation West Side Story (2021), for which she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical. In 2023, she played Anthea in Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.

Early life

Zegler was born in Hackensack, New Jersey,[3] in 2001 to Gina and Craig Zegler.[4] She was named after the fictional character Rachel Green from the TV series Friends.[5] She has an older sister.[6] Her mother is of Colombian descent. Zegler's maternal grandmother immigrated from Barranquilla, Colombia to the United States in the 1960s.[7] Her father is of Polish descent.[8][9]

Zegler was raised in Clifton, New Jersey, where she attended St. Philip the Apostle Preparatory School.[10] Afterwards, she attended the Catholic all-girls college-preparatory Immaculate Conception High School, which she graduated from in 2019.[11]

Career

Zegler began her career starring in several musicals while attending the Immaculate Conception High School, including playing Belle in Beauty and the Beast (2016), Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2017),[12] Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street (2018), and Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical (2019).[13][14] For all four performances, she received Metro Award nominations in the Actress in a Leading Role category.[13] Her other roles include Serena in Legally Blonde, Cosette in Les Misérables, and Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie.[15]

Zegler's YouTube channel has been active since July 2015[16] which garnered media coverage and positive critical reception.[17][18] As of 2022, Zegler's video of herself singing "Shallow", from A Star Is Born, has garnered over 12.2 million views on Twitter.[19][8]

In January 2018, director Steven Spielberg posted an open casting call via Twitter for a new film adaptation of West Side Story.[20] Zegler, then 16 years old, responded to the casting call tweets with videos of herself singing "Tonight" and "I Feel Pretty"; she had performed the role at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in 2017.[21][8] Zegler was selected from over 30,000 applicants for the role of Maria, marking her film debut.[22] The film was released in December 2021,[23] and earned acclaim from critics and audiences.[24][25][26] For her performance, she received a Critics' Choice Movie Award nomination for Best Young Performer and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical,[27][28] making her the first actress of Colombian descent to win in that category as well as the youngest winner in that category at 20 years old.[29]

Zegler starred as Anthea in the superhero film Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023).[30] She played protagonist Lucy Gray Baird in the 2023 film adaptation of the Hunger Games prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.[31]

Zegler was cast in Kyle Mooney's directorial debut film Y2K produced by A24,[32] production on which had begun by April 2023.[33]

Zegler will next voice the lead character in the animated musical film Spellbound, directed by Vicky Jenson, which is scheduled to be released in 2024 and will premiere on Netflix.[34][35]

Zegler has been cast as the titular character in Snow White, a live-action adaptation the 1937 animated Disney film, scheduled to be released in 2025.[36][37]

In the media

In 2021, Zegler was listed at number 34 on The Ringer's The Big Picture podcast's list of the top 35 actors under 35.[38] She is included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2022 list.[39] Also in 2021, AP Entertainment named Zegler as one of the Breakthrough Entertainers of 2021.[40] Zegler was part of the in memoriam segment of the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in honour of Stephen Sondheim, alongside Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, and Leslie Odom Jr.[41]

Zegler was initially not invited to attend the 94th Academy Awards ceremony of 2022 to support her colleagues involved in West Side Story, which received seven nominations, including Best Picture.[42] After some controversy over the perceived snub in the media,[43] the Academy invited her to be a presenter[44] for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.[45][46]

Personal life

In February 2021, Zegler and actor Josh Andrés Rivera confirmed that they were dating. The two had met on the set of West Side Story.[47]

Filmography

List of Rachel Zegler film credits
Year Title Role Notes
2021 West Side Story María
2023 Shazam! Fury of the Gods Anthea
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Lucy Gray Baird
2024 Spellbound † Princess Ellian Voice role; post-production
2025 Snow White † Snow White Post-production
TBA Y2K † TBA Post-production
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Discography

Soundtracks

List of soundtracks, with selected details
Title Album details
West Side Story
  • Release date: December 3, 2021
  • Label: Hollywood
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
  • Release date: November 17, 2023
  • Label: Geffen

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Hot
[48]
"Let Me Try" 2021 — Non-album single
"Balcony Scene (Tonight)"
(with Ansel Elgort)		 — West Side Story
"The Hanging Tree" 2023 19 The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
"The Ballad of Lucy Gray Baird" 12

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Hot
[48]
"Nothing You Can Take from Me" (Boot-Stompin' Version)
(with the Covey Band)		 2023 13 The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
"Pure as the Driven Snow"
(with the Covey Band)		 22

Other appearances

Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Days From Long Ago" 2021 Alejandro Rodriguez, Anna Ebbeson, Shakina Nayfack, Solea Pfeiffer #IWriteMusicals: Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge
(2020 edition)
"Your World/Safe" Alexia Sielo, Anna Ebbeson, Anna Jacobs, Henry Crater, Jared Goldsmith, Jason Gotay, Nick Cartell
"Rey's Theme" None The George Lucas Talk Show Original Livestream Series Soundtrack Album On Vinyl
"Mile Away" 2023 George Watsky Intention

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2021
 Chicago Film Critics Association Most Promising Performer West Side Story Nominated [49]
Florida Film Critics Circle Pauline Kael Breakout Award Runner-up [50]
Indiana Film Journalists Association Breakout of the Year Nominated [51]
National Board of Review Best Actress Won [52]
North Texas Film Critics Association Best Actress Nominated [53]
Best Newcomer Won
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Best Youth Performance Nominated [54]
2022
 Alliance of Women Film Journalists Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated [55]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Young Actor/Actress Nominated [56]
DiscussingFilm Critics Awards Best Debut Performance Nominated [57]
Dorian Awards Rising Star of the Year Nominated [58]
Georgia Film Critics Association Best Actress Nominated [59]
Breakthrough Award Nominated
Gold Derby Film Awards Best Breakthrough Performer Nominated [60]
Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical Won [61]
Music City Film Critics Association Best Young Actress Nominated [62]
North Carolina Film Critics Association Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated [63]
Online Film and Television Association Best Breakout Performer (female) Nominated [64]
2024 People's Choice Awards Female Movie Star of the Year The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Pending
Action Movie Star of the Year Pending

References

  1. ↑ finally addressing it. Rachel Zegler. February 26, 2021. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via YouTube.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ Kramer, Peter D. "Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story' Maria on stage in Lodi this weekend". North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2022. I was born in Hackensack Hospital.
  4. ↑ Kuperinsky, Amy (December 10, 2021). "Rachel Zegler almost didn't audition for 'West Side Story.' the new Maria on the role that changed her life". NJ.com. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  5. ↑ @rachelzegler (November 5, 2019). "#9 – rachel green from friends, the fictional character after whom i was named!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Twitter.
  6. ↑ Kramer, Peter D. (April 11, 2019). "Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story' Maria on stage in Lodi this weekend". North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  7. ↑ "'We Need To Be in the Room.' West Side Story's Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose on Latino Representation in Film". Time. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 "Who is Rachel Zegler? Meet the teenager playing María Vasquez in the 'West Side Story' remake". Classic FM. June 17, 2019. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  9. ↑ McNary, Dave (January 14, 2019). "'West Side Story' Remake Casts Newcomer as Maria". Variety. Archived from the original on July 6, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2021. As a Colombian-American, I am humbled by the opportunity to play a role that means so much to the Hispanic community
  10. ↑ Katz, Maggie (May 20, 2016). "Clifton students nominated for acting award". northjersey.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2023. City residents Amanda Leger and Rachel Zegler both attend Immaculate Conception High School in Lodi and are alumni of St. Philip the Apostle Preparatory School on Valley Road.
  11. ↑ "Immaculate Conception High School". Immaculate Conception High School. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  12. ↑ Kramer, Peter D. (May 17, 2017). "Metro Awards 2017 nominees list". The Journal News. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  13. 1 2 Kramer, Peter D. (May 15, 2019). "Rachel Zegler to skip Metros, citing 'West Side Story' schedule, calls event 'too public'". The Journal News. Archived from the original on July 26, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  14. ↑ Kramer, Peter D. (May 14, 2019). "Metro Awards: Harrison, Sleepy Hollow, Panas and Northern Valley lead 2019 nominees". The Journal News. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  15. ↑ Santiago, Ellyn (January 15, 2019). "Rachel Zegler: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Rachel Zegler". YouTube. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  17. ↑ Schwartz, Dana (January 15, 2019). "8 examples of Rachel Zegler, 'West Side Story's new María, singing and sounding incredible". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  18. ↑ Russo, Gianluca (January 15, 2019). "You've Probably Seen New "West Side Story" Star Rachel Zegler Before — Thanks to a Lady Gaga Cover". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  19. ↑ Zegler, Rachel [@rachelzegler] (December 14, 2018). "someone: you use autotune😤😤😤😤 me: https://t.co/9sPBkDj2kf" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  20. ↑ Kit, Borys (January 26, 2018). "Steven Spielberg Looks for Spanish-Speaking Actors for His 'West Side Story' Remake". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  21. ↑ Kuperinsky, Amy (December 2, 2021). "West Side Story review: There's a place for Spielberg's updated musical". NJ.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  22. ↑ McNary, Dave (January 14, 2019). "'West Side Story' Remake Casts Newcomer as Maria". Variety. Archived from the original on July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  23. ↑ Lang, Brent; Rubin, Rebecca (September 23, 2020). "'Black Widow,' 'West Side Story,' 'Eternals' Postpone Release Dates". Variety. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  24. ↑ Evangelista, Chris (December 2, 2021). "West Side Story Review: Steven Spielberg's Big, Vibrant Take On The Classic Musical Is One Of His Best Films". SlashFilm.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Best of 2021: Film Critic Top Ten Lists". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  26. ↑ "West Side Story review – Spielberg's triumphantly hyperreal remake". the Guardian. December 2, 2021. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  27. ↑ Verhoeven, Beatrice (December 13, 2021). "'West Side Story,' 'Belfast' Lead 2022 Critics Choice Film Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Golden Globes 2022: What The Winners Said – Rachel Zegler". Golden Globes. January 11, 2022. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Snow White Actress Rachel Zegler Wins the Golden Globe". Disney Fanatic. January 10, 2022. Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  30. ↑ Jackson, Angelique (February 25, 2021). "Rachel Zegler Joins Cast of 'Shazam: Fury of the Gods'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  31. ↑ Romano, Nick. "West Side Story breakout Rachel Zegler to star in Hunger Games prequel". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  32. ↑ "'SNL' Alum Kyle Mooney to Direct A24's 'Y2K' Starring Rachel Zegler and Alicia Silverstone". IndieWire. March 23, 2023. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  33. ↑ Grobar, Matt (April 5, 2023). "Apple Lands Jonah Hill's Keanu Reeves-Led Dark Comedy Outcome". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  34. ↑ Kroll, Justin. "Rachel Zegler To Voice Lead Of Apple Original Films And Skydance Animation's 'Spellbound'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  35. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (June 12, 2023). "Tituss Burgess Joins Voice Cast of Apple and Skydance Animation's 'Spellbound'; New Image Revealed (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  36. ↑ Kroll, Justin (June 22, 2021). "'Snow White': 'West Side Story's Rachel Zegler To Play Title Role In Disney's Live-Action Adaptation Of Animated Classic". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  37. ↑ Kroll, Justin (November 3, 2021). "Gal Gadot To Play Evil Queen In Disney's Live-Action 'Snow White'". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  38. ↑ The Big Picture [@TheBigPic] (September 27, 2021). "#ICYMI, here is our list of the top 35 actors under 35. Check out the full podcast here: https://t.co/cs5z4m8cP8 https://t.co/iUuKyz6YZ5" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  39. ↑ Meyer, Dan. "Rachel Zegler, Barlow and Bear, Macy Schmidt, Olivia Rodrigo, More Among Forbes' 30 Under 30 Class of 2022". Playbill. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  40. ↑ "The AP names its Breakthrough Entertainers of 2021". AP NEWS. December 14, 2021. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  41. ↑ Jakiel, Olivia; Etienne, Vanessa. "Rachel Zegler, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr. Perform Special 'In Memoriam' Grammys Segment". People. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  42. ↑ Lowe, Lindsay (March 21, 2022). "'West Side Story' star says she wasn't invited to the Oscars: 'I'm disappointed'". Today. Archived from the original on April 10, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  43. ↑ "No Oscars invite for Rachel Zegler? Original 'West Side Story' star won't have it". Los Angeles Times. March 21, 2022. Archived from the original on March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  44. ↑ "Oscars: Rachel Zegler Has Been Invited to be a Presenter (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. March 22, 2022. Archived from the original on March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  45. ↑ Jackson, Dory (March 27, 2022). "Rachel Zegler Jokes About 2022 Oscars Invite While Presenting: 'Dreams Really Can Come True'". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  46. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (March 28, 2022). "Rachel Zegler Quips About Initial Invitation Snub In Presenting at the Oscars". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  47. ↑ Siwak, Miranda (May 3, 2023). "Costar Couple! Rachel Zegler, Josh Andres Rivera's Relationship Timeline". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  48. 1 2 "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  49. ↑ "Steven Spielberg's West Side Story Leads Chicago Film Critics Association 2021 Awards Nominations". Chicago Film Critics Association. December 13, 2021. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  50. ↑ Hazlett, Allison (December 22, 2021). "2021 FFCC Winners". Florida Film Critics Circle. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  51. ↑ "Nominations Announced for the 2021 Indiana Film Journalists Association Awards". Midwest Film Journal. December 14, 2021. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  52. ↑ "National Board of Review Announces 2021 Awards Winners". National Board of Review. December 2, 2021. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  53. ↑ Anderson, Erik (December 22, 2021). "North Texas Critics awards: 'The Green Knight' is Best Picture, 'The French Dispatch' wins three". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  54. ↑ "2021 WAFCA Award Winners". Washington D.C. Film Critics Association. December 6, 2021. Archived from the original on December 21, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  55. ↑ "2021 EDA Awards Nominees". Alliance of Women Film Journalists. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  56. ↑ "Film Nominations Announced for the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards hosted by Taye Tiggs and Nicole Byer". Critics' Choice Movie Awards. December 13, 2021. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022.
  57. ↑ Rolph, Ben (January 4, 2022). "DiscussingFilm Critic Awards 2022: The Winners". DiscussingFilm. Archived from the original on July 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  58. ↑ Beresford, Trilby (February 22, 2022). "Dorian Film Awards: 'The Power of the Dog' Leads Nominations From LGBTQ Entertainment Critics". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  59. ↑ "2021 Awards". Georgia Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  60. ↑ "2022 Gold Derby Film Awards nominations: 'Dune' leads with 11; 'The Power of the Dog,' 'West Side Story' at 10 each". Gold Derby. January 27, 2022. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  61. ↑ Melas, Cloe; Gonzalez, Sandra (January 10, 2022). "Golden Globes 2022: See the full list of winners". CNN. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  62. ↑ Neglia, Matt (January 25, 2022). "The 2021 Music City Film Critics Association (MCFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  63. ↑ "The Power of the Dog Earns Six North Carolina Film Critics Awards". North Carolina Film Critics Association. January 5, 2022. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  64. ↑ "26th Annual Film Awards (2021)". Online Film and Television Association. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
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