Rachel Zegler replaced during Evita interval in last second change
The 24-year-old Hollywood star has been starring as Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd's new production of Evita at the London Palladium and she took to the stage as normal last night.
However, during the interval audience members were informed she was being replaced by actress Bella Brown, whose entrance to the audience was the balcony scene performing Don't Cry For Me Argentina.
She shared on her Instagram Story: 'Today really showed just how important swings and covers are within this industry!! They are the pillars of the show!! A proud day to be at @officialevita.'
Rachel and the official Evita account are yet to comment on the change, and no reason has been given by Bella or audience members.
The cover actress, who played the Mistress in act one, wrote: 'What a lucky audience getting to see both myself and MY ANGEL REG ZEG!! (sic)'
'I really hope Rachel is all right!! Love to Bella Brown,' wrote @Hazel2410 on X, while @dankblonde1 said: 'I really hope Rachel Zegler is ok..'
'Okay so mid show switch, both rachel and bella brown were UNREAL,' tweeted @MyriadNice, as others heaped praise on Bella for stepping up.
'Bella was an absolute joy to watch the second act, completely erased any disappointment of not seeing rachel again. She has a huge career ahead of her,' wrote @MizHafHaf.
They added in another post: 'It was amazing seeing Rachel tonight, but Bella Brown was SENSATIONAL. I'm actually glad we got to see her do the second act!'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
And audience member @KentWomble said: 'Well! @EvitaMusical was epic. Fantastic production. Rachel Zegler only managed the first half before her understudy Bella Brown took over after the interval and got six curtain calls at the end.'
Rachel's run in Evita has captured the imagination of audiences, including the now-infamous creative decision for her to perform the iconic balcony scene outside the front of the theatre.
Theatregoers have watched the key moment on a screen inside the theatre, while huge crowds have gathered in the streets to witness the special moment.
'Rachel Zegler is absolutely amazing in it. I'm only a little bit worried that it might get out of hand,' Andrew Lloyd Webber recently said on Good Morning Britain. More Trending
Fans have pointed out that Jamie Lloyd's production choice actually mirrors Eva's kinship with the poor people in Argentina.
The iconic composer added: 'The crowds now turning up outside the Palladium, now the audience in the theatre sees the crowd outside, and it's kinda like the real deal.'
Metro has contacted reps for Rachel Zegler and the London Palladium for comment.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: Gripping action prequel soars up Netflix charts as fans declare it 'best in franchise'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Rachel Zegler breaks her silence after suffering mystery health scare that derailed Evita performance
thanked the cast and crew of Evita in an emotional post on social media Saturday after she was forced to exit the show mid-performance on Thursday due to a mystery illness. The actress, 24, shared a snap of herself on stage at the London Palladium, where she has been performing six nights and two matinees a week as former Argentinian First Lady Eva Perron in Evita. Regarding the way she was treated following her medical mystery, the Golden Globe winner said, 'Cannot describe the love in this building every night, but today in particular.' 'I am in awe of this company. The way they come together and never leave anyone behind.' Describing the unity of the cast, she wrote, 'We really, truly hold each other's hands throughout each number, and each act and each show to make sure we work as a crew. And the result speaks for itself.' 'Well done swing nation,' she said, referring the the cast members who work as swings, performers who understudy multiple roles, usually within the ensemble, and is ready to step in for any cast member who is absent. In Zegler's case, Bella Brown, who plays The Mistress in the show, filled in after the Snow White star had to end her performance. Following her performance of Don't Cry for Me Argentina, the stand-in received a five minute standing ovation. Zegler pointed out costars Nathan Louis-Fernand, Kirsty Anne Shaw and Myla Carmen, writing, 'my heart literally overflows for you all.' Sitting in the audience her return was Bridgerton star Nichola Coughlin, 38. The Barbie actress did not mince words when remarking on Zegler's portrayal of the controversial Evita. 'When I say @rachelzegler once in a generation talent I can't tell you how deeply i mean it. That is a star,' the BAFTA nominee wrote in an Instagram Story showing Zegler's final bow. In another example of team work, Zegler took the time to wish her Shazam! Fury of the Gods costar Helen Mirren a happy birthday on Friday. 'Happy birthday diva,' she wrote on a photo of Mirren holding up a drink at a table with several yummy looking pastries. '80 never looked so fabulous. Seriously.' The revival began previews on June 14, and Zegler made her West End debut in the Tony award winning musical on July 1. She has received rave reviews for her work with, Variety saying her performance 'at times gives you goosebumps.' The production was scheduled to continue through September 6. Zegler, director Jamie Lloyd, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber have all stated they would like the show to move to Broadway 'as soon as possible', according to Deadline.
Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
Coronation Street star confirms 'messy and heated' future for Danielle
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Hell hath no fury like that of a woman scorned as Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) finds out next week when he's left reeling after learning of his wife Danielle's (Natalie Anderson) new relationship… After a painful restorative justice session off the back of lamping conversion therapy preacher, Noah Hedley (Richard Winsor), Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) finds himself becoming privy to some particularly juicy information regarding his boyfriend Theo's wife, Danielle, learning that she is now in a relationship with the wicked preacher… When asked if her character's new relationship meant she'd put her marriage to Theo in the rear-view mirror, Natalie told us: 'Honestly, I don't think she's there. 'I've had this conversation with James, who plays Theo. It's such a rushed relationship, she had the fling with Jason then this is another big thing.' 'There's two things going on. One is trying to show Theo what he's missing with his family life, this is what he's throwing away. 'And there might be an element of her trying to fill the void, Danielle and Theo were married for 19 years, that's a huge amount of time. I've been with my husband 20 years and can't even imagine him not being around. It's a little bit of a rebound.' '[Noah and Danielle] have known of each other and grown up together through the faith with Theo. She has a line about the history between Noah and Theo and says it was their business, she believes Noah was just trying to do right by him. 'They've all come through the church upbringing together. felt for her like a natural person to fill the void of Theo. But also its probably quite pointed, of all the people she could've dated its someone who made his life quite uncomfortable as he was part of Theo's conversion therapy.' As Theo, Danielle and their kids come together at the Bistro, Todd is quick to spill the tea regarding what he's learned…leading to another violent altercation for the fractured family, with Theo accidentally striking his son, Miles (Lewis William Magee). Does Natalie think that Danielle would've revealed the news off of her own back? She says: 'Yes from a perspective of co-parenting she was planning on telling him, and was probably waiting to manage her own feelings first – before Todd steals her thunder and throws her under the bus!' On the Bistro confrontation, Natalie says: 'It all gets a little bit heated, Miles in particular is very upset with Todd, he goes for him and Theo tries to stop him. In the melee this incident happens where Miles ends up with a bloody nose. For Danielle, Todd is at the root of all of this – whether it was an accident or not, Todd has spoilt this and is the thorn in their side.' Todd seeks advice from his ex Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank), who calls round and sees bedding on the sofa and implores him to speak with Danielle, who's since banned Theo from seeing his kids… On how that particular conversation goes? Natalie teases: 'Her kids are her life she'll do anything to protect them. 'When Todd reaches out, she does want to take that seriously, until Todd starts being Todd and tries to manipulate the situation and throws his little daggers in there! She's not having any of it and has to go back to the drawing board. Playing those scenes was brilliant.' When Natalie was asked what's to come for Danielle, she said: 'As you can imagine it does get messier and more heated. We fall into two camps between Danielle and Theo, and the children will be caught in the middle of that. It is difficult, and representative of a lot of families going through messy divorces. 'That's been amazing to play and its not something I've done before, there's a lot of figuring out what's next and figuring out what's best for the children. How do we feel about Danielle so far? 'When it starts to become a legal thing, how nasty does that get? It's one thing trying to sort it out between yourselves, but when it gets to that next level things becomes more weaponised. There are some calculating things coming up, I'm not sure the audience will still be on Danielle's side after that!' More Trending On her own journey to the heralded cobbles, Natalie describes her excitement and delight at joining the nations most famous street. '…being in the Grimshaw's with Sue Cleaver and Ryan Thomas, oh my god I'm in Coronation Street with Eileen telling Jason off! I almost forgot I was in the scene I was just watching their spat! I was meant to have left and just stood there in the doorway watching it. Amazing. My first scene in Roy's Rolls with David Neilson was incredible. Getting to shout my head off in the Rovers at Tina O'Brien was another highlight, that was proper!' View More » Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on YouTube and ITVX. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: All Coronation Street video spoilers for next week as return is confirmed MORE: Exit story confirmed for Coronation Street character months after debut MORE: Todd horrified in Coronation Street as he discovers who sinister Noah's girlfriend is
Metro
7 hours ago
- Metro
Coronation Street favourite rushed to hospital during cast-packed wedding
You can't have a soap wedding without some kind of hiccup or obstacle – and Coronation Street are going all out to hit Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin) and Bernie Winter (Jane Hazlegrove) with disaster on the big day – with the bride rushed to hospital after a collapse. Even before this calamitous end to the very glam and colourful ceremony, there are shenanigans aplenty. The week starts with the stag and hen parties. Having saved money buying cheap suits for Dev and Aadi, Bernie is having a low key hen do in the bistro when word reaches them that the boys have hired a pole dancer at the Rovers. A furious Bernie storms into the Rovers to find the stags cheering on the pole dancer, but is all as it seems? As the big day dawns on Wednesday (August 6th), Dev and Bernie's dream wedding goes from bad to worse when the quads fall ill and have to watch with Joseph on live stream. Meanwhile, Bernie forgets her lucky charm locket containing the photo of Paul and when she runs home to get it she disturbs a burglar. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Back at the Bistro, the guests are entertained by a song from Debbie Webster who suddenly surprises Ronnie with a proposal. If Dev and Bernie's wedding falls apart, at least we might have another to look forward to. After such an eventful start to the day the guests take their seats for the main event and a glowing Bernie walks down the aisle towards Dev to make their vows. With the service about to start, Dev and Bernie share loving looks, but suddenly Bernie struggles to breathe and collapses in front of a shocked Dev. Is the dramatic day about to end in tragedy or will Bernie and Dev tie the knot? 'The day goes from bad to worse!' actress Jane exclaimed. 'That's what is so brilliant about Coronation Street, you don't know what you're going to get until you open the page of the script and that's what is so fantastic about how it plays out – we've got this woman raving down the aisle and the next minute she's collapsed and an ambulance is on its way!' More Trending Jane also revealed that she had a hand in the design of Bernie's unconventional wedding dress. She added: 'I knew that Bernie wouldn't go down the road of wearing a traditional dress. I had seen some old footage of Elkie Brookes on TV and she was wearing a kaftan. 'I am a big fan of Elkie so that was the initial inspiration, but this is for Bernie so it needed to be a bit extra. View More » 'Our fantastic talented costume department came up with the 1970s style white dress that is a bit Elkie Brookes, a bit Demis Roussos and very Bernie Winter.' MORE: All 31 Coronation Street pictures for next week as major characters search for answers MORE: All Coronation Street spoilers as major secrets are exposed MORE: Huge Coronation Street twist in ITVX release as true culprit of crime is confirmed
