Rachel Zegler abruptly exits ‘Evita' performance mid-show — and understudy receives standing ovation

New York Post

4 days ago

Rachel Zegler had to exit stage left on Thursday.
The actress, 24, who is currently starring in 'Evita' at the London Palladium on the West End, abruptly left the evening performance due to illness.
According to People, they announced Zegler's departure during intermission.
12 Rachel Zegler during a performance of 'Evita.'
ZUMAPRESS.com
12 Bella Brown perform's 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina.'
Getty Images
12 Bella Brown attends the press night afterparty for 'Evita.'The 'Snow White' star's understudy, Bella Brown, took over during the second act, opening the scene with the famous tune, 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina.'
Despite the switch-up, the audience was pleased with Brown's performance. They gave the young star a nearly five-minute standing ovation.
Brown and the rest of the cast also took 10 bows.
'Today really showed just how important swings and covers are within this industry,' the actress wrote on her Instagram Stories. 'They are pillars of a show!! A proud day to be at 'Evita.''
Brown added in a follow-up post, 'What a lucky audience getting to see both me and MY ANGEL REG ZEG!!'
12 Bella Brown takes over as Eva Peron in 'Evita.'
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Zegler is starring as the former first lady of Argentina in the musical, which first debuted in 1978. The show was written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
On Thursday, Zegler previously performed during the matinee show before leaving in the middle of the night run. It is unclear if she will return to the stage on Friday.
The singer is set to star in 'Evita' through Sept. 6. The production began its run in June.
12 Rachel Zegler attends the press night after party for 'Evita.'At the time of the show's opening, Zegler took to Instagram to gush over the opportunity.
'I couldn't be luckier,' she shared in a lengthy message. 'I have such a deep love for everyone who has touched this production. I never thought I would get to live my dream this way. Surrounded by the most amazing people. I feel so held.'
In March, Zegler noted that starring in Jamie Lloyd's production of 'Evita' had always been a dream.
''Evita' has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would sing 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' together on my back patio,' she told Deadline.
'The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd's singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honor unlike any other,' continued Zegler. 'The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can't wait to make my West End debut in such great company.'
But after opening night, Zegler sparked criticism from some fans.
She performed 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' from a balcony overlooking the street outside the venue.
12 Rachel Zegler performs the encore of 'Evita' at the London Palladium.
Raphael Pour-Hashemi/Mega
12 Rachel Zegler in a June show of 'Evita.'
Raphael Pour-Hashemi/Mega
Paying audience members were forced to watch a livestream of the performance on a screen from their seats.
'I'm excited to see her, but not sure how I feel about paying that much to watch the most iconic moment on a screen,' one viewer penned on X.
Another social media user called the move 'a bit of a rip off' and blamed production.
'Sorry, are you saying I've paid that much for 2 tickets and she's singing the biggest number outside at people who haven't paid?' a third person chimed in.
Rounding out the angry messages, someone else insisted, 'I think you might potentially be a bit gutted [if you were inside the theatre]. I know they had it on the projectors, but you might be a bit gutted to have missed the most important song.'
Not everyone was upset by the strategic move. Some fans pointed out that it benefits those who could not afford to see a West End show.
12 Rachel Zegler delivers a stirring rendition of 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina.'
JP / BACKGRID
'Absolutely stunning idea and a beautiful symbol – while the rich sit inside the theatre watching from the screen, Evita is outside on the balcony of the theatre addressing all those who can't afford to go to the theatre and/or are living on the streets of London,' one follower gushed on X. 'The whole idea of staging the song this way is truly incredible. Emotional. It says a lot, and I am here for it!'
Along with an incredible run on stage, Zegler has also found love behind the scenes.
Earlier this month, the 'Spellbound' actress was spotted kissing backup dancer Nathan Louis-Fernand at Hyde Park.
12 Rachel Zegler sings 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' from the balcony of the London Palladium.
Raphael Pour-Hashemi / MEGA
12 Rachel Zegler was presented with a unique portrait of herself.
MEGA
On July 6, the couple attended a Sabrina Carpenter concert and were pictured holding hands while the pop star performed. Other photos showed Zegler leaning on Louis-Fernand and smiling as they chatted closely.
The professional dancer previously performed in 'Magic Mike Live' in London, gushing about the experience in a May Instagram post.
'When I was Mike a.k.a Miguel,' Louis-Fernand captioned the clip from his time in the show.
Zegler commented, 'You posting this in your birthday is such jokes' to which he replied, '@rachelzegler they just happened to fall on the same day 🤷🏾‍♂️ a happy accident if you will 😂😂.'
The 'West Side Story' vet previously dated her 'Hunger Games' co-star, Josh Andrés Rivera, in 2021.
However, the exes quietly split 'late last year,' according to Us Weekly sources.
Zegler's latest role, meanwhile, comes on the heels of a controversial year. She received widespread backlash while promoting Disney's live-action film, 'Snow White.'
12 Rachel Zegler spotted out with Nathan Louis-Fernand.
BACKGRID
12 Rachel Zegler and the company attend the press night after party for 'Evita.'Zegler, who played Snow White in the movie, went on a rant against those who voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
She posted in a series of now-deleted Instagram Stories: 'May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace.'
Many Trump supporters took to social media to share that they were boycotting the film.
In turn, the film flopped at the box office.
Disney producer Marc Platt's son, Jonah Platt, slammed Zegler for being 'immature.'