Rachel Zegler is seriously one to watch. This actress burst onto the scene with Steven Spielberg's West Side Story and now she is set to be Disney's Snow White! But her path in Hollywood has been anything but a fairytale. Let's dive into Rachel's journey from facing identity questions to finding her squad and speaking her mind.
"Prove You're Latina Enough?" Rachel Zegler's Shocking 'West Side Story' Audition Experience
Can you believe that even after landing the lead in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story Rachel Zegler had to jump through hoops to prove she was "Latina enough"? Yep you heard that right. Rachel revealed in a recent interview that during the casting process for Maria "white executives" kept asking her to prove her Colombian heritage.
She was born and raised in New Jersey and is proud of her Colombian roots but because her name doesn't sound stereotypically "Latina" she faced these bizarre requests. Rachel joked she was ready to bring her "abuelita" (grandma) to the studio to show them she was "legit". Seriously? It is pretty wild that in this day and age someone as talented as Rachel had to deal with questioning of her identity just to play a Latina character. She handled it with grace and humor though saying she loves being Colombian even if Hollywood execs needed a little convincing.
Sisterhood in Hollywood: Rachel Zegler on Finding Support and Championing Women
Hollywood can be a tough place and Rachel is opening up about trying to find genuine connections especially with other women in the industry. She said "All I’m ever really looking for in this business is a sister and they’re not always easy to find." Sadly women in Hollywood are sometimes pitted against each other but Rachel is not buying into that.
She believes in "championing your friends and Championing your coworkers" instead of seeing other women as competition. Love that attitude! Rachel actually named some amazing women who have been supportive of her. Jameela Jamil is like a "big sister" who inspires her to be outspoken. Ariana Grande reached out with kindness and advice after seeing Rachel in the spotlight. And veteran actresses like Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu who she worked with on Shazam! Fury of the Gods have been her "keepers" offering support and guidance. It's awesome to hear about these women supporting each other in a tough industry.
Snow White Controversy and Rachel's Take: Passion or Just Backlash?
Of course Rachel's casting as Snow White in the upcoming Disney live-action remake stirred up a whole lot of internet chatter. Some people were not happy about a Latina actress playing Snow White a character traditionally depicted as "white as snow". Rachel faced some pretty harsh backlash online. But she is taking it all in stride. She sees the negative reactions as a sign of people's "passion" for Snow White.
Rachel has a pretty cool outlook saying "I interpret people’s feelings about this film as their passion for her and what an honor to be a part of something for which people feel so much passion." She's choosing to focus on the positive side and on giving the role her best shot. Plus she has made it clear that this Snow White is not going to be just waiting around for a prince to save her. This is a modern Snow White ready to be a leader which sounds pretty empowering.
Golden Globe Winner and Rising Star: Rachel Zegler's Talent Shines Through
Let's not forget Rachel Zegler's incredible talent that got her to where she is today. Her breakout role as Maria in West Side Story was a huge deal. She won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for that role and earned tons of critical praise. Spielberg himself clearly saw something special in her giving her a glowing recommendation for the Snow White role.
Even with all the noise and online debates Rachel is focused on her work and her craft. She's set to star in a West End revival of Evita showing off her musical theatre chops again. And despite any negativity surrounding Snow White early reviews are actually calling it "enchanting". It seems like Rachel's talent and dedication are winning people over no matter what.
Key Moments in Rachel Zegler's Journey:
- Breakout Role: Cast as Maria in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story.
- Golden Globe Win: Awarded Best Actress for West Side Story.
- "Prove Your Identity": Faced requests from executives to "prove" her Latina heritage.
- Sisterhood Support: Finds mentorship and friendship with Jameela Jamil Ariana Grande Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu.
- Snow White Casting Backlash: Receives online criticism for being cast as Snow White but views it as "passion".
- West End Debut: Set to star in Evita in London's West End.
- Spielberg's Recommendation: Steven Spielberg personally recommended her for Snow White role.
Rachel Zegler: A Voice to Watch in Hollywood and Beyond
Rachel Zegler's story is just beginning and it is already filled with challenges triumphs and a whole lot of talent. She is navigating Hollywood with grace humor and a strong sense of self. From questioning her identity to facing online storms Rachel is showing resilience and a commitment to her craft. Keep an eye on Rachel Zegler because she is not just a rising star she is a force to be reckoned with and a voice that is speaking truth in Hollywood and beyond.