Rachel Zegler

Rachel Anne Zegler (/ˈzɛɡlər/;[2] born (2001-05-03)May 3, 2001) is an American actress, singer, and YouTuber. She was cast as the lead role of Maria Vasquez in the 2021 film adaptation of West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Tony Kushner[3]. For her performance, Zegler earned critical acclaim along with Golden Globe Award and Critics Choice Award nominations. She is set to star as Snow White in a live-action adaptation of the Disney animated film, among other projects. She is listed in the Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2022.

Rachel Zegler
Born (2001-05-03) May 3, 2001
Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.
EducationImmaculate Conception High School
Occupation
  • Actress
  • singer
  • YouTuber
Years active2015–present
Known forWest Side Story (2021)
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2015-present
Genre
  • Song covers
  • Original music
  • Vlogs
Subscribers208k[1]
(December 12, 2021)
Total views7.7 million[1]
(December 12, 2021)
100,000 subscribers 2019

Early life and education

Zegler was born on May 3, 2001,[4] in Hackensack, New Jersey, at the Hackensack University Medical Center, the daughter of Gina and Craig Zegler.[5] She has an older sister, Jacqueline.[6] Her mother is of Colombian descent,[7] and her father is of Polish descent.[8][9][10]

Zegler was raised in Clifton, New Jersey, where she attended St. Philip the Apostle Preparatory School. She then attended the Catholic all-girls college-preparatory Immaculate Conception High School, where she starred in the school's musicals all four years: as Belle in Beauty and the Beast (2016), Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2017),[11] Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street (2018), and Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical (2019).[12][13] For all four performances, she received Metro Award nominations in the Actress in a Leading Role category.[12] Her other roles have included Serena in Legally Blonde, Cosette in Les Miserables, Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Mimi in Rent.[14] She graduated from high school on June 2, 2019.[15]

Career

Zegler's YouTube channel has been active since July 2015[16] and has received attention.[17][18] As of 2020, Zegler's video of herself singing "Shallow", from A Star is Born, has garnered over 11 million views on Twitter.[19][20]

In January 2018, director Steven Spielberg posted an open casting call via Twitter for a new film adaptation of West Side Story.[21] 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.[22][23]. Zegler was selected from over 30,000 applicants for the role of Maria.[24] Her film performance garnered critical acclaim along with Golden Globe Award and Critics Choice Award nominations.[25][26]

Zegler has joined the cast of the 2023 film Shazam! Fury of the Gods[27] and is also set to play Snow White in a live-action adaptation of the Disney animated film alongside Gal Gadot.[28][29]

On September 27, 2021, Zegler was listed at number 34 on The Ringer's The Big Picture podcast's list of the top 35 actors under 35.[30] She is included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2022 list.[31] On December 14, 2021, AP Entertainment named Zegler as one of the Breakthrough Entertainers of 2021.[32]

Acting credits

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2021 West Side Story Maria Vasquez
2023 Shazam! Fury of the Gods Post-production
TBA Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Snow White Pre-production

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2021 The George Lucas Talk Show Peach Farmer/Herself Two episodes: "Adam Pally & Rachel Zegler"; "Pretend It’s A Jokey"; special thanks given
34th Hispanic Heritage Awards Archive Footage TV special documentary.
American Music Awards of 2021 Presenter Presented Best Rock Artist.
Good Morning America Herself Episode: December 2, 2021[33]
Live with Kelly and Ryan Herself Episode: December 3, 2021
20/20 Herself Episode: Something’s Coming: West Side Story – A Special Edition of 20/20
The Voice Herself Episode: December 6, 2021 - Promoting West Side Story
The Drew Barrymore Show Herself Episode: December 7, 2021
Radio Dolin Interviewee Episode: ‘Why is ‘West Side Story’ the Greatest Musical in History? And Why Does Steven Spielberg Need This?
Jornal das 8 Self Episode: December 9, 2021
IMDb on the Scene Guest Episode: West Side Story (2021)
The Broadway Show with Tamsen Fadal Herself Episode: December 10, 2021
The 15th Annual CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute Presenter TV Special

Audio series
Year Title Role Notes
2021 NOW WE’RE TALKING with Drew Gasparini Herself Podcast; Ep 11-Rachel Zegler: “Hasmat Reality”
Very Really Good Herself Podcast; Ep 160-Interviewing Rachel Zegler - Very Really Good #160[34]
Princess of South Beach María del Carmen/Gloria Calderon Main role

Theatre
Year(s) Title Role Notes
2021 Newton's Cradle: A Ghost Story Chelsea Virtual closed reading with The Saunders Collective.[35]

Discography

Singles
Title Year Album
"Let Me Try" 2021 non-album single
"Balcony Scene (Tonight)" (with Ansel Elgort) West Side Story

Soundtracks
Title Album details Certifications Sales
West Side Story (2021 soundtrack)
  • Release date: December 3, 2021
  • Hollywood

Other appearances
Title Year Songs Other artist(s)
#IWriteMusicals: Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge (2020 Edition) 2021 "Days From Long Ago" Alejandro Rodriguez, Anna Ebbeson, Shakina Nayfack, Solea Pfeiffer
"Your World/Safe" Alexia Sielo, Anna Ebbeson, Anna Jacobs, Henry Crater, Jared Goldsmith, Jason Gotay, Nick Cartell
The George Lucas Talk Show Original Livestream Series Soundtrack Album On Vinyl "Rey’s Theme"

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Title of work Result Ref
2021 National Board of Review Best Actress West Side Story Won [36]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards Best Youth Performance Nominated [37]
Alliance of Women Film Journalists Best Breakthrough Performance Pending [38]
North Texas Film Critics Association Best Actress Pending [39]
Best Newcomer Pending
Florida Film Critics Circle Award Breakout Award Pending [40]
2022 Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical Pending [41]
Critics Choice Award Best Young Performer Pending [42]

References
  1. "About Rachel Zegler". YouTube.
  2. finally addressing it. Rachel Zegler. February 26, 2021. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via YouTube.
  3. Lang, Brent; Rubin, Rebecca (September 23, 2020). "'Black Widow,' 'West Side Story,' 'Eternals' Postpone Release Dates". Variety. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  4. Zegler, Rachel [@rachelzegler] (May 3, 2020). "it is my birthday. t.co/qfHCrtBnNs" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  5. https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2021/12/rachel-zegler-almost-didnt-audition-for-west-side-story-the-new-maria-on-the-role-that-changed-her-life.html
  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. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  8. "Who is Rachel Zegler? Meet the teenager playing María Vasquez in the 'West Side Story' remake". Classic FM. June 17, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  9. McNary, Dave (January 14, 2019). "'West Side Story' Remake Casts Newcomer as Maria". Variety. 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. Zegler, Rachel [@rachelzegler] (December 2, 2018). "@billyeichner @scotthoying i'm not even jewish and I'M waiting for a hanukkah album" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. "Immaculate Conception High School". Immaculate Conception High School. Archived from the original on July 7, 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: t.co/9sPBkDj2kf" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  20. "Who is Rachel Zegler? Meet the teenager playing Maria in the 'West Side Story' remake". Classic FM. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  21. 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.
  22. Kuperinsky, Amy (December 2, 2021). "West Side Story review: There's a place for Spielberg's updated musical". NJ.com. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  23. Roberts, Maddy Shaw (June 17, 2019). "Who is Rachel Zegler? Meet the teenager playing Maria in the 'West Side Story' remake". Classic FM. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  24. 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.
  25. Haylock, Zoe (December 13, 2021). "2022 Critics' Choice Awards Nominations Led by Belfast and West Side Story". Vulture. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  26. Buchanan, Kyle (December 13, 2021). "Golden Globes Nominations 2022: The Complete List". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  27. Jackson, Angelique (February 25, 2021). "Rachel Zegler Joins Cast of 'Shazam: Fury of the Gods'". Variety. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  28. 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. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  29. Justin, Kroll (November 3, 2021). "Gal Gadot To Play Evil Queen In Disney's Live-Action 'Snow White'". Deadline. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  30. 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: t.co/cs5z4m8cP8 t.co/iUuKyz6YZ5" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  31. Meyer, Dan. "Rachel Zegler, Barlow and Bear, Macy Schmidt, Olivia Rodrigo, More Among Forbes' 30 Under 30 Class of 2022". Playbill.
  32. "The AP names its Breakthrough Entertainers of 2021". AP NEWS. December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  33. Good Morning America [@GMA] (December 2, 2021). "COMING UP: @rachelzegler is on to talk all about starring in #WestSideStory which hits theaters December 10! t.co/H7XEoVDNYK" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  34. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Interviewing Rachel Zegler - Very Really Good #160". YouTube.
  35. "Rachel Zegler, Ruthie Ann Miles, & Jo Lampert Join Reading Of NEWTON'S CRADLE: A GHOST STORY". BroadwayWorld. January 19, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  36. "NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW ANNOUNCES 2021 AWARD WINNERS". National Board of Review. December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  37. {{Cite web|date=2021-12-06|title=2021 WAFCA Award Winners|url=http://www.dcfilmcritics.com/awards/%7Caccess-date=2021-12-09%7Cwebsite=The Washington DC Area Film Critics Association|language=en-US]]
  38. "Alliance of Women Film Journalists 2021 Nominees". December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  39. "https://twitter.com/rachelzegler/status/1470843817448333318". Twitter. Retrieved December 14, 2021. External link in |title= (help)
  40. "https://twitter.com/flfilmcritics/status/1471243638449573890". Retrieved December 15, 2021. External link in |title= (help)
  41. "Winners & Nominees 2022". www.goldenglobes.com. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  42. Verhoeven, Beatrice; Verhoeven, Beatrice (December 13, 2021). "'West Side Story,' 'Belfast' Lead 2022 Critics Choice Film Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
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