Rachel Zegler was astonished to announce her win for Best Actress in a Musical at the 2026 Laurence Olivier Awards. She spoke about the moment she received the award, saying, "It was one of those crazy things. Vanessa Williams presented it and didn't say 'the winner is...' in the traditional way, she just said 'come up, Rachel.' So I didn't know what was happening. Then my best friend said, 'Go, go, go!'"
The Role of Eva Perón in Evita
The role that gave Zegler this honor was playing Eva Perón in the revival of the musical Evita directed by Jamie Lloyd in the West End of London. She reflected on this experience, saying, "This production and the time spent with the people I worked with is my greatest achievement. It was a summer that no one can imagine."
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The 25-year-old Zegler will soon head to Broadway, with previews of the show starting in February 2027. This musical performance in New York will mark a new chapter for Zegler as she returns to the cinema for the first time after her role in Disney's live-action Snow White in 2025. The film faced various controversies, including racist comments regarding Zegler's Colombian heritage and criticism about her interpretation of the 1937 animated version and her political views.
Lessons from Criticism
Zegler expressed gratitude for the criticisms she received regarding her mismatch with expectations for the role of Maria, a Puerto Rican character in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story, as well as for her portrayal of Snow White. She said, "I was very excited about the reactions to West Side Story. I won a Golden Globe at 20. And for Snow White, I was very pleased with my performance. Ultimately, it became a soul-enriching learning experience."
With upcoming plans including independent films and the comedy-drama "She Takes from Me" and the psychological thriller "NDA," Zegler looks toward new horizons. She stated, "I had a goal this year to work with women and Latinx individuals." She is excited about the doors these films will open, emphasizing, "Not just for me, but for the people I worked with, who have been overlooked in this industry in the past."
No Limits on Roles
Zegler does not limit herself to any mold, stating, "I love playing real and complex characters. Humans deserve representation for their flaws as well as the qualities that make them amazing, and I think in a way, those two are one and the same."
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