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Rachel Zegler

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Rachel Zegler
Born (2001-05-03) May 3, 2001 (age 23)
Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.
EducationImmaculate Conception High School
Occupations
  • Actress
  • YouTuber
  • singer
Years active2015–present
Known forWest Side Story (2021)
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2015–present
Genres
  • Song covers
  • Original music
  • Vlogs
Subscribers218k[1]
(February 4, 2022)
Total views8.2 million[1]
(February 4, 2022)
100,000 subscribers2019

Rachel Anne Zegler (/ˈzɛɡlər/;[2] born (2001-05-03)May 3, 2001) is an American actress. She made her film debut as Maria Vasquez in the 2021 film adaptation of West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Tony Kushner.[3] For her performance, Zegler earned critical acclaim and won numerous accolades, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, which made her the first Latina actress to win as well as the youngest winner in that category at 20 years old. She is set to star as Snow White in a live-action adaptation of the Disney animated film, among other projects. She is listed in the Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2022.

Early life and education

Zegler was born on May 3, 2001,[4] in Hackensack, New Jersey, at the Hackensack University Medical Center, the daughter of Gina and Craig Zegler.[5] She has an older sister, Jacqueline.[6] Her mother is of Colombian descent. Zegler's maternal grandmother immigrated from Colombia to the United States in the 1960s.[7] Her father is of Polish descent.[8][9]

Zegler was raised in Clifton, New Jersey, where she attended St. Philip the Apostle Preparatory School. She then attended the Catholic all-girls college-preparatory Immaculate Conception High School, where she starred in the school's musicals all four years: as Belle in Beauty and the Beast (2016), Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2017),[10] Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street (2018), and Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical (2019).[11][12] For all four performances, she received Metro Award nominations in the Actress in a Leading Role category.[11] Her other roles have included Serena in Legally Blonde, Cosette in Les Miserables, Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Mimi in Rent.[13] She graduated from high school on June 2, 2019.[14]

Career

Zegler's YouTube channel has been active since July 2015[15] and has received attention.[16][17] As of 2020, Zegler's video of herself singing "Shallow", from A Star is Born, has garnered over 11 million views on Twitter.[18][8]

In January 2018, director Steven Spielberg posted an open casting call via Twitter for a new film adaptation of West Side Story.[19] Zegler, then 16 years old, responded to the casting call tweets with videos of herself singing "Tonight" and "I Feel Pretty"; she had performed the role at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in 2017.[20][8] Zegler was selected from over 30,000 applicants for the role of Maria, marking her film debut.[21] Her film performance garnered critical acclaim as well as numerous accolades, including at the Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.[22] This win made Zegler the first actress of Colombian descent and Latina to win in that category as well as the youngest winner in that category at 20 years old. Zegler has joined the cast of the 2023 film Shazam! Fury of the Gods[23] and is also set to play Snow White in a live-action adaptation of the Disney animated film alongside Gal Gadot.[24][25]

On September 27, 2021, Zegler was listed at number 34 on The Ringer's The Big Picture podcast's list of the top 35 actors under 35.[26] She is included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2022 list.[27] On December 14, 2021, AP Entertainment named Zegler as one of the Breakthrough Entertainers of 2021.[28]

Acting credits

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2021 West Side Story Maria Vasquez
2023 Shazam! Fury of the Gods Post-production
TBA Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Snow White In production

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2021 The George Lucas Talk Show Peach Farmer/Herself Two episodes: "Pretend It’s A Jokey" and "Pretend It’s A Wookiee"
Special thanks given 		[29]
The Graham Norton Show Herself One episode; interviewee. TX Jan 21st 2022

Theatre

Year(s) Title Role Notes Ref.
2021 Newton's Cradle: A Ghost Story Chelsea Virtual closed reading with The Saunders Collective [30]

Music video

Year Title Role Artist(s)
2020 "Nostalgic for the Moment (Dance Party Edition)" Friend/dancer Kathryn Gallagher
2021 "Sam's Idea" Voice on phone Pomplamoose

Podcast

Year Title Role Notes
2021 NOW WE’RE TALKING with Drew Gasparini Herself Ep 11: Rachel Zegler: “Hasmat Reality”
Very Really Good Herself Ep 160: Rachel Zegler - Very Really Good #160[31]
Princess of South Beach María del Carmen
Gloria Calderon 		Main role
2022 Awards Circuit Roundtable Herself Rachel Zegler (West Side Story)
Awards Chatter Herself

Discography

Singles

Title Year Album
"Let Me Try" 2021 Non-album single
"Balcony Scene (Tonight)" (with Ansel Elgort) West Side Story

Soundtracks

Title Album details Certifications Sales
West Side Story (2021 soundtrack)
  • Release date: December 3, 2021
  • Hollywood

Other appearances

Title Year Songs Other artist(s)
#IWriteMusicals: Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge (2020 Edition) 2021 "Days From Long Ago" Alejandro Rodriguez, Anna Ebbeson, Shakina Nayfack, Solea Pfeiffer
"Your World/Safe" Alexia Sielo, Anna Ebbeson, Anna Jacobs, Henry Crater, Jared Goldsmith, Jason Gotay, Nick Cartell
The George Lucas Talk Show Original Livestream Series Soundtrack Album On Vinyl "Rey’s Theme"

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2021
 National Board of Review of Motion Pictures Award Best Actress West Side Story Won [32]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards Best Youth Performance Nominated [33]
Chicago Film Critics Association Most Promising Performer Nominated [34]
Florida Film Critics Circle Award Breakout Award Runner-up [35]
Indiana Film Journalists Association Breakout of the Year Nominated [36]
North Texas Film Critics Association Best Actress Nominated [37]
Best Newcomer Won
2022
 Midnight Critics Circle Best Comedy/Musical Performance Nominated [38]
Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated [39]
DiscussingFilm Critic Awards 2022 Best Debut Performance Nominated [40]
Film Updates Awards Best Actress in a Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical Nominated [41]
Rising Star Award Won [42]
Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Won [43]
Georgia Film Critics Association Best Actress Nominated [44]
Breakthrough Award Nominated [45]
Alliance of Women Film Journalists Best Woman's Breakthrough Performance Pending [46]
27th Critics' Choice Awards Best Young Actor/Actress Pending [47]
North Carolina Film Critics Association Best Breakthrough Performance Pending [48]
Music City Film Critics Association Best Young Actress Pending [49]

References

  1. ^ a b "About Rachel Zegler". YouTube.
  2. ^ finally addressing it. Rachel Zegler. February 26, 2021. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ Lang, Brent; Rubin, Rebecca (September 23, 2020). "'Black Widow,' 'West Side Story,' 'Eternals' Postpone Release Dates". Variety. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  4. ^ Zegler, Rachel [@rachelzegler] (May 3, 2020). "it is my birthday. https://t.co/qfHCrtBnNs" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2021/12/rachel-zegler-almost-didnt-audition-for-west-side-story-the-new-maria-on-the-role-that-changed-her-life.html
  6. ^ Kramer, Peter D. (April 11, 2019). "Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story' Maria on stage in Lodi this weekend". North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "'We Need To Be in the Room.' West Side Story's Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose on Latino Representation in Film". Time. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c "Who is Rachel Zegler? Meet the teenager playing María Vasquez in the 'West Side Story' remake". Classic FM. June 17, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  9. ^ McNary, Dave (January 14, 2019). "'West Side Story' Remake Casts Newcomer as Maria". Variety. Retrieved February 19, 2021. As a Colombian-American, I am humbled by the opportunity to play a role that means so much to the Hispanic community
  10. ^ Kramer, Peter D. (May 17, 2017). "Metro Awards 2017 nominees list". The Journal News. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  11. ^ a b Kramer, Peter D. (May 15, 2019). "Rachel Zegler to skip Metros, citing 'West Side Story' schedule, calls event 'too public'". The Journal News. Archived from the original on July 26, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  12. ^ Kramer, Peter D. (May 14, 2019). "Metro Awards: Harrison, Sleepy Hollow, Panas and Northern Valley lead 2019 nominees". The Journal News. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  13. ^ Santiago, Ellyn (January 15, 2019). "Rachel Zegler: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  14. ^ "Immaculate Conception High School". Immaculate Conception High School. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  15. ^ "Rachel Zegler". YouTube. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  16. ^ Schwartz, Dana (January 15, 2019). "8 examples of Rachel Zegler, 'West Side Story's new María, singing and sounding incredible". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  17. ^ Russo, Gianluca (January 15, 2019). "You've Probably Seen New "West Side Story" Star Rachel Zegler Before — Thanks to a Lady Gaga Cover". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  18. ^ Zegler, Rachel [@rachelzegler] (December 14, 2018). "someone: you use autotune😤😤😤😤 me: https://t.co/9sPBkDj2kf" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Kit, Borys (January 26, 2018). "Steven Spielberg Looks for Spanish-Speaking Actors for His 'West Side Story' Remake". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  20. ^ Kuperinsky, Amy (December 2, 2021). "West Side Story review: There's a place for Spielberg's updated musical". NJ.com. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  21. ^ McNary, Dave (January 14, 2019). "'West Side Story' Remake Casts Newcomer as Maria". Variety. Archived from the original on July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  22. ^ Buchanan, Kyle (December 13, 2021). "Golden Globes Nominations 2022: The Complete List". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  23. ^ Jackson, Angelique (February 25, 2021). "Rachel Zegler Joins Cast of 'Shazam: Fury of the Gods'". Variety. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  24. ^ Kroll, Justin (June 22, 2021). "'Snow White': 'West Side Story's Rachel Zegler To Play Title Role In Disney's Live-Action Adaptation Of Animated Classic". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  25. ^ Justin, Kroll (November 3, 2021). "Gal Gadot To Play Evil Queen In Disney's Live-Action 'Snow White'". Deadline. Retrieved November 19, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ The Big Picture [@TheBigPic] (September 27, 2021). "#ICYMI, here is our list of the top 35 actors under 35. Check out the full podcast here: https://t.co/cs5z4m8cP8 https://t.co/iUuKyz6YZ5" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ Meyer, Dan. "Rachel Zegler, Barlow and Bear, Macy Schmidt, Olivia Rodrigo, More Among Forbes' 30 Under 30 Class of 2022". Playbill.
  28. ^ "The AP names its Breakthrough Entertainers of 2021". AP NEWS. December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  29. ^ "Rachel Zegler - IMDb". ImdB. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  30. ^ "Rachel Zegler, Ruthie Ann Miles, & Jo Lampert Join Reading Of NEWTON'S CRADLE: A GHOST STORY". BroadwayWorld. January 19, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  31. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Interviewing Rachel Zegler - Very Really Good #160". YouTube.
  32. ^ "NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW ANNOUNCES 2021 AWARD WINNERS". National Board of Review. December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  33. ^ "2021 WAFCA Award Winners". The Washington DC Area Film Critics Association. December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  34. ^ Tallerico, Brian (December 13, 2021). "West Side Story Leads the 2021 Chicago Critics Nominees". Roger Ebert. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  35. ^ @FLFilmCritics (December 15, 2021). "BREAKOUT AWARD: JUDE HILL - BELFAST COOPER HOFFMAN - LICORICE PIZZA RACHEL ZEGLER - WEST SIDE STORY" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  36. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 2021 Indiana Film Journalists Association Awards". December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  37. ^ @rachelzegler (December 14, 2021). "thank you #NTFCA for the two nominations, plus so much love for our film. ❤" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  38. ^ @MidnightCriticC (December 14, 2021). "The Nominees for Best Comedy/Musical Performance! #AndrewGarfield @ticktickboom @ArianaDeBose @WestSideMovie @LeoDiCaprio @dontlookupfilm @rachelzegler @WestSideMovie #RenateReinsve #TheWorstPersonintheWorld" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  39. ^ @MidnightCritics (December 14, 2021). "The nominees for Best Breakthrough Performance! @HAIMtheband @licoricepizza @EmiliaJonesy #CODA #RachelSennot #ShivaBaby @rachelzegler @WestSideMovie #WoodyNorman @cmoncmonmovie" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  40. ^ Rolph, Ben (January 4, 2022). "DiscussingFilm Critic Awards 2022: The Winners". DiscussingFilm. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  41. ^ @FilmUpdates (January 3, 2022). "#FilmUpdatesAwards Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical Alana Haim, 'Licorice Pizza' Jennifer Lawrence, 'Don't Look Up' Renate Reinsve, 'The Worst Person in the World' Rachel Sinnott, 'Shiva Baby' Rachel Zegler 'West Side Story'" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  42. ^ @FilmUpdates (January 9, 2022). "#FilmUpdatesAwards Rising Star Award Pauline Chalamet Madelyn Cline Lukas Gage Cooper Hoffman Danny Ramirez Rachel Sennott Demi Singleton Saniyya Sydney Chase Sui Wonders Rachel Zegler" (Tweet) – via Twitter. {{Cite tweet}}: |date= / |number= mismatch (help)
  43. ^ "Winners & Nominees 2022". www.goldenglobes.com. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  44. ^ "oh wow thank you thank you @gafilmcritics a double whammy" (Tweet). January 7, 2022 – via Twitter. {{Cite tweet}}: Missing or empty |user= (help)
  45. ^ @rachelzegler (January 7, 2022). "thank you @gafilmcritics for this recognition ❤" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  46. ^ "Alliance of Women Film Journalists 2021 Nominees". December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  47. ^ Verhoeven, Beatrice (December 13, 2021). "'West Side Story,' 'Belfast' Lead 2022 Critics Choice Film Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  48. ^ @rachelzegler (December 29, 2021). "thank you NCFCA for the nomination, and all the nominations for our beautiful film ❤" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  49. ^ "Thank you @mcfca615 for this nomination ❤" (Tweet). January 11, 2022 – via Twitter. {{Cite tweet}}: Missing or empty |user= (help)
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