Rachel Zegler has shortly change into one in all Hollywood’s rising stars. At simply 20 years previous, she made a significant debut in Steven Spielberg‘s 2021 remake of West Facet Story, incomes vital approval for her portrayal of Maria and successful a Golden Globe for her breakthrough position. Now, at 23, Zegler is again within the highlight along with her portrayal of the titular character within the live-action Snow White, which was launched in March 2025. Nevertheless, her casting—introduced nicely earlier than the film hit the large display screen—and her continued outspoken assist for a Free Palestine after the movie’s launch have sparked vital controversy.
With all the eye surrounding her, study extra about Zegler and her journey from enjoying Maria in West Facet Story to moving into the enduring position of Snow White.
Rachel Zegler Performed Maria in ‘West Facet Story’
The New Jersey native was simply 17 years previous when she landed the position of Maria, beating out tens of 1000’s of different candidates. West Facet Story marked Zegler’s characteristic movie debut.
Spielberg started casting for the position of Maria in January 2018. Wanting to maintain the film as “ethnically genuine” as attainable, the open casting name requested Latinx actors. Zegler responded to the decision with a video of herself singing “Tonight” and “Me Siento Hermosa” (“I Really feel Fairly”). Her performances stood out from the 30,000 others, incomes her the star-making position.
“I’m so thrilled to be enjoying the enduring position of Maria alongside this superb solid. West Facet Story was the primary musical I encountered with a Latina lead character,” Zegler stated upon her casting, in response to Selection. “As a Colombian-American, I’m humbled by the chance to play a job meaning a lot to the Hispanic neighborhood.”
Zegler stars alongside Ansel Elgort, who performs Tony. The solid additionally contains Ariana DeBose as Anita, David Alvarez as Bernardo, Mike Faist as Riff, and Rita Moreno as Valentina.
Rachel Zegler Performs Snow White
The actress performs the title position of Snow White in Disney’s live-action adaptation of the animated traditional Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. “Rachel’s extraordinary vocal skills are only the start of her items. Her power, intelligence and optimism will change into an integral a part of rediscovering the enjoyment on this traditional Disney fairytale,” director Marc Webb instructed Deadline.
The director and Disney had been trying to find their Snow White for months. Rachel’s auditions reportedly “impressed everybody,” however early footage of West Facet Story “blew everybody away and helped push the choice throughout the end line.” Zegler reposted the thrilling information on Instagram and wrote, “Nicely… whats up to a dream come true.”
She Has a YouTube Channel
Zegler was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, and raised in Clifton. She developed her appearing chops by partaking in theatrical productions at Immaculate Conception, an all-girls Catholic highschool. In June 2019, Zegler graduated from highschool. Zegler began her personal YouTube channel, which has over 300,000 subscribers and counting.
Zegler entertains her rising fanbase with covers of pop songs, Vlogs, and different movies. Zegler’s cowl of “Shallow” from A Star Is Born went insanely viral with virtually 4 million views. Then, when haters stated it was autotuned, Zegler took to Twitter to publish a soundcheck the place she belted out some extra “Shallow” lyrics.
She Acquired Reward from Stephen Sondheim
The famed Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyrics for the unique West Facet Story musical. Zegler was in a position to meet the composer, who handed away in November 2021, after being solid as Maria in Spielberg’s remake. “I misplaced my thoughts,” she instructed ELLE. “I simply sank to my knees subsequent to him instinctually. He stated, ‘I’ve heard you sing on YouTube. You’re like a nightingale.’ And I used to be like, ‘Shut up. Absolutely, no, completely not.’”
Rachel Zegler Stars in ‘Shazam 2’
Along with West Facet Story and Snow White, Zegler was additionally part of Shazam: Fury of the Gods, the sequel to the shock hit superhero film starring Zachary Levi. She additionally appeared within the Starvation Video games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and the Netflix animated fantasy musical Spellbound.
