Rachel Zegler: The Golden Globe Winner Who Is Taking Hollywood by Storm
Rachel Zegler is a rising star who has captivated audiences with her stunning performances in West Side Story and Shazam!
Fury of the Gods and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Moreover, she is also a talented singer and songwriter who has a popular YouTube channel and a loyal fan base.
Here is everything you need to know about the 22-year-old actress who is taking Hollywood by storm.
Early Life and Career
Rachel Anne Zegler was born on May 3, 2001, in Hackensack, New Jersey, to Gina and Craig Zegler.
She has an older sister, Jacqueline.
Her mother is of Colombian descent, and her father is of Polish descent.
She was named after Rachel Green, the character played by Jennifer Aniston on the sitcom Friends.
Zegler grew up in Clifton, New Jersey, where she attended St. Philip the Apostle Preparatory School and Immaculate Conception High School.
She developed a passion for acting and singing at a young age and starred in several musicals in school and local theaters.
Some of her roles include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street, and Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical.
She received multiple Metro Award nominations for her performances.
Zegler also started a YouTube channel in 2015, where she posted covers of songs from various artists and genres.
She gained attention for her rendition of “Shallow” from A Star Is Born, which went viral on Twitter and has over 12 million views as of 2022.
She also posted original songs, such as “Let Me Try” and “Overthinking”.
Breakthrough Role in West Side Story
Zegler’s big break came in 2019, when she was cast as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s remake of the classic musical West Side Story, opposite Ansel Elgort as Tony.
She beat out over 30,000 applicants for the role, after sending in videos of herself singing “Tonight” and “I Feel Pretty”.
She had previously played the role at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in 2017.
The film, which was released in December 2021, received rave reviews from critics and audiences, who praised Zegler’s performance as “mesmerizing”, “radiant”, and “star-making”.
She won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical, becoming the first actress of Colombian descent.
And also, the youngest actress to win in that category.
She was also nominated for a Critics’ Choice Movie Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her role.
Other Film Roles and Projects
Zegler has been busy with several other film roles and projects in recent years.
She starred as Anthea, a new superhero, in the DC Comics film Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which was released in 2023.
In 2023, she took on the role of Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12, in the Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
She received praise for her performances in both films, as well as for her singing abilities.
Zegler will also voice Princess Ellian, the main character, in the animated fantasy film Spellbound, which is set to be released in 2024.
She will also star in the A24 sci-fi comedy Y2K, which is currently in production.
Additionally, she will play the titular role of Snow White in the live-action remake of the Disney animated film, which is expected to be released in 2025.
She will be the first ever Disney princess of Colombian descent.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Zegler is currently in a relationship with her West Side Story and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes co-star Josh Andrés Rivera.
Who played Chino and Sejanus Plinth, respectively.
The couple confirmed their romance in February 2021, and have since shared several adorable photos and videos of themselves on social media.
They celebrated their two-year anniversary in October 2021.
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Zegler is also a passionate philanthropist, who has supported various causes.
Especially those related to women’s rights, mental health, and the environment.
She has donated to organizations such as Women for Women International, Mind, and WWF.
She has also used her platform to raise awareness and funds for the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian bushfires, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Conclusion
Rachel Zegler is an amazing actress, singer, and songwriter, who has achieved incredible success in her career.
She has starred in several acclaimed films, and has won numerous awards and accolades.
She is also a vocal and generous activist, who has used her fame and fortune to make a positive difference in the world.
Indeed, she is a role model for anyone who wants to pursue their dreams, and a legend in the making..
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