Rachel Zegler’s Alleged Evita Rehearsal Controversy: Shocking Claims and Career Implications

Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old Golden Globe winner once hailed as Hollywood’s next big star, is facing a new wave of controversy that threatens to derail her career just as she prepares for her West End debut in Evita. Viral reports circulating on X and YouTube in mid-May 2025 claim that Zegler’s “exposed actions” during Evita rehearsals at London’s Palladium have shocked castmates and crew, with some alleging unprofessional behavior that has led to tensions with director Jamie Lloyd and even whispers of her being fired. Coming on the heels of the disastrous Snow White release, these unverified claims have ignited a firestorm of speculation about Zegler’s future in the industry. Here’s a detailed exploration of the allegations, their context, and what they mean for Zegler’s already precarious standing in Hollywood and theater.

The Evita Opportunity: A High-Stakes Debut

Announced in March 2025, Zegler’s casting as Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd’s revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita was seen as a bold move to rebound from the Snow White debacle. The musical, set to run from June 14 to September 6, 2025, at the London Palladium, marks Zegler’s West End debut and follows her acclaimed Broadway run in Romeo + Juliet opposite Kit Connor. Lloyd, known for daring productions like Sunset Boulevard, praised Zegler as a “phenomenal talent” who would “blow the roof off” the 2,286-seat venue, while Zegler shared a personal connection to the show, citing childhood memories of singing “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” with her father.

The role of Eva Perón, previously played by icons like Patti LuPone and Madonna, is vocally and emotionally demanding, requiring Zegler to channel the charisma and complexity of Argentina’s controversial First Lady. With nearly $4 million in advance ticket sales and Zegler among the highest-paid West End stars this season, expectations were sky-high. However, reports of sluggish ticket sales—rows of seats remain unsold weeks before opening—hint at waning public enthusiasm, possibly tied to Zegler’s Snow White backlash.

The Alleged Rehearsal Meltdown: What’s Being Said?

The controversy erupted with YouTube videos posted on May 13 and 14, 2025, titled “Jamie Lloyd FIRES Rachel Zegler After What She ALLEGEDLY Did During Evita Rehearsals” and “Rachel Zegler’s EXPOSED Actions During Evita Rehearsals Are Seriously SHOCKING”. These videos, amplified by posts on X, claim Zegler exhibited “unprofessional” behavior during rehearsals, which began on April 28, 2025. Specific allegations include diva-like demands, clashes with Lloyd over creative decisions, and disruptive outbursts that alienated castmates like Diego Andres Rodriguez (Che) and James Olivas (Juan Perón). Some sources even suggest Lloyd considered replacing her, though no credible evidence supports this claim.

The lack of concrete details fuels skepticism. The YouTube videos rely on anonymous “insider” accounts and lack primary sources, while X posts, such as one from @DirtyCitizen on May 14, offer sensational headlines without substantiation. Similar rumors have dogged Zegler before, notably unverified claims of a Snow White role to Jenna Ortega, which turned out to be false. This pattern suggests the Evita allegations may be exaggerated or fabricated, possibly driven by detractors capitalizing on Zegler’s polarizing public image.

The Snow White Fallout: A Precursor to Crisis

Zegler’s Evita drama cannot be separated from the catastrophic failure of Disney’s Snow White, released on March 21, 2025. The $270 million film, starring Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, grossed just $194.1 million globally, projecting a $115 million loss. Controversies plagued the project from the start: racist backlash to Zegler’s Latina casting, her comments calling the 1937 original “dated” and “sexist,” and her pro-Palestine posts clashing with Gadot’s pro-Israel stance. Zegler’s post-election Instagram rant—“F*** Donald Trump” and wishing his supporters “never know peace”—further alienated audiences, prompting Disney to scale back the film’s premiere and hire a social media consultant.

The fallout damaged Zegler’s reputation. Jonah Platt, son of producer Marc Platt, labeled her “narcissistic,” and Ariana DeBose’s cryptic Instagram post seemed to echo this sentiment. Critics argue Zegler’s lack of media training exacerbated the PR nightmare, with one X user claiming, “She’s her own worst enemy.” The Snow White failure has made Zegler a lightning rod, amplifying scrutiny of her Evita rehearsals and casting doubt on her ability to lead a major production.

Industry and Fan Reactions: A Divided Narrative

The Evita allegations have sparked mixed reactions. On X, detractors revel in the drama, with posts like “Rachel Zegler’s diva antics are tanking another project” gaining traction. Some theater fans on Reddit’s r/TheWestEnd express skepticism about her stamina, noting Evita’s vocal demands and her scheduled absences on four Mondays (July 14, July 28, August 11, and August 25, 2025) for vocal rest. Others speculate these dates align with auditions for another project, possibly with director Julia von Heinz, though this remains unconfirmed.

Supporters, however, defend Zegler’s talent and resilience. Fans on r/RachelZegler argue the allegations are “baseless,” pointing to her Broadway success in Romeo + Juliet, which recouped its $7 million budget and drew the youngest audience in history. Director Jamie Lloyd’s praise—“Rachel is a phenomenal talent”—and producer Michael Harrison’s enthusiasm for her “sensational” audition tape suggest confidence in her abilities. Industry allies like Pedro Pascal and Lily Allen have also vouched for her, with Allen dismissing Snow White’s failure as not Zegler’s fault.

Cultural and Industry Context

The Evita controversy reflects broader tensions in entertainment. As a Latina actress and vocal progressive, Zegler faces disproportionate scrutiny, with X posts and YouTube videos often laced with racist and misogynistic undertones. Her Snow White casting and political posts have made her a target for anti-“woke” critics, mirroring backlash faced by stars like Halle Bailey and Melissa Barrera. Yet, her outspokenness—while authentic to her Gen Z fanbase—has alienated conservative audiences and studio executives wary of controversy.

Theater, unlike film, demands live performance rigor, and Evita’s 12-week run is a grueling test. Zegler’s youth (she’ll be 24 during the run) aligns with Eva Perón’s age, offering a fresh take, but her reported absences raise concerns about endurance. The Palladium’s ticket struggles, with “green good” availability across June to September, suggest her star power hasn’t translated to sales, possibly due to Snow White’s lingering impact.

Zegler’s Future: Sink or Swim?

Despite the drama, Zegler’s career isn’t doomed. Her upcoming projects—She Gets It From Me with Marisa Tomei, A24’s Y2K, and Netflix’s Spellbound—provide opportunities to pivot to nuanced roles. Evita, if successful, could reestablish her as a stage powerhouse, leveraging her West Side Story and Romeo + Juliet acclaim. Her recent CBeebies Bedtime Story appearance charmed young audiences, showing versatility.

However, another flop could cement her as a cautionary tale. Industry insiders suggest she needs better PR guidance to navigate Hollywood’s expectations, as her unfiltered style risks further alienation. Comparisons to Barrera, sidelined after Scream 7, loom large, but Zegler’s youth and fanbase offer hope. A strong Evita run, backed by Lloyd’s visionary direction, could silence critics, but ticket sales and rehearsal rumors remain hurdles.

A Star at a Crossroads

The Evita rehearsal allegations, while unverified, underscore Zegler’s precarious position. Her talent is undeniable—evident in her vocal range and emotional depth—but her knack for controversy threatens to overshadow it. Hollywood and theater demand resilience, and Zegler’s ability to channel Eva Perón’s charisma could be her redemption arc. For now, the West End awaits, and the world watches, as Zegler fights to prove her star hasn’t burned out too soon.