Rachel Zegler's West End debut sparks controversy over shock move
Rachel Zegler has made her long-awaited West End debut, but one particular moment has starkly divided fans.
The Snow White star, 24, is currently starring as Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd's new production of Evita at the London Palladium.
The hit stage show is based on the real life of the Argentine political leader Eva, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón.
One of the most iconic scenes of the show is when Eva sings Don't Cry For Me Argentina, addressing the crowds from the balcony of the Casa Rosada and expressing her love for her country.
In Lloyd's retelling of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's show, Zegler reportedly performs the ballad on a balcony outside the Palladium, while theatregoers inside, who have paid up to £275 per ticket, watch the performance on a screen.
Footage has emerged of the Hunger Games actress belting out the tune in full balcony costume, including a slicked-back blonde wig and flowing white gown.
It has caused uproar among some attendees, who have expressed how 'disappointed' they would be after paying to see the show, only to not actually see one of Evita's pivotal scenes in the flesh.
'I'm seeing it on Thursday and I'm excited but the fact singing this outside while everyone inside theatre have to see it on screen kinda of a rip off for our money while people who haven't got a ticket can see it outside FOR FREE,' Marcusgomezz26 wrote on Instagram.
Theatrewithmaila agreed, adding: 'So excited to see her, but not sure how I feel about paying £££ and one of the most iconic songs performed isnt even on stage.'
On TikTok, Andrewbrighton54 wrote: 'As incredible as this is, this is an iconic song. If I have paid a lot of money to see Evita, I do find it a bit odd that you see this song on a screen. I could stand in the street and watch it free of charge, if you get the timing right.'
Tristan blasted: 'Let me see if I've got this right? We argue that nothing beats seeing a show live and charge a massive premium for the experience. So I pay to go and see a show performed live and then you go and take the actress outside for the most renowned song of the piece so I get a cinema style experience?'
Others said they were 'very unimpressed' and 'fuming' by the decision, arguing that Zegler wouldn't receive 'her biggest applause' from the audience because of it.
Some fans, however, pointed out how apt the decision was for the show due to its themes.
Miss Sophie Rose explained: 'I don't know the exact staging but the cool thing with this song being the only one outside (aside from the obvious singing to the 'poor folk') is that if someone's passing by and doesn't know the story of Evita they are only hearing an 'underdog' and someone that sounds admirable instead of knowing the actual story of Evita and the things that happened in the past and in the background which was exactly the intention with this speech.'
Pebbles The Rabbit added: 'Genius promo. You watch it as a 'peasant' on the street and then go and see it as a rich person. People saying 'I'd be fuming' as if they couldn't go and see it the other 364 days of the year on the street – if anything it's making it MORE accessible.' https://www.instagram.com/p/DJdy7nZNyN5/
Alec continued: 'I really don't get why people are mad. You pay to see a modernist production this is what you get! Classism nuances and multimedia. Theatre has been using multimedia for years now, it's a highly interesting technique. This is what Lloyd does 😭🙏.' More Trending
Zegler is no stranger to controversy after being hit by backlash numerous times during the promotional run of Disney's live action Snow White, including criticism over its CGI dwarves and comments she made about the original story.
A post she wrote on X in support of Palestine sparked controversy, with critics fiercely defending the star after alleged details of her treatment behind the scenes were reported by Variety.
Evita runs at London Palladium from June 14 until September 6, with Diego Andres Rodriguez as Che, James Olivas as Juan Perón, Aaron Lee Lambert as Agustin Magaldi, and Bella Brown as The Mistress.
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: Bruce Willis' daughter shares update on his dementia in heartbreaking post
MORE: Caitlyn Jenner 'flees Israel' after being caught up in missile attacks
MORE: Justin Bieber breaks off friendship in worrying texts about 'trauma'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Meghan breaks silence on controversial twerking video with defiant response
Meghan Markle has finally spoken out about the video she shared of herself and Prince Harry twerking to bring on labour with Princess Lilibet in a brand new interview Meghan Markle has broken her silence on her controversial twerking video with a defiant response. The Duchess of Sussex raised eyebrows when she shared a clip of her and Prince Harry dancing around a hospital room in a bid to bring on labour while Meghan was in the later stages of pregnancy with Princess Lilibet. The candid video, which runs for more than a minute, features the song 'Baby Mamma' and sees Harry beckoned in by Meghan as the pair dance together, with the duke appearing at the end with the hood of his grey hoodie up as he continues his dance moves. Meghan, wearing a black maternity dress, cradles her large bump as she dances, as well as lifting her skirt above her knees, raising her hands in the air and wiggling low with her hands on her hips and legs. The Duchess had not addressed the reaction to the now-viral clip - until now in a brand new interview on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast. In a preview for the podcast, which drops in full tomorrow, Emma, a London-born entrepreneur behind the brand Good American, chats to Meghan about the clip. In the teaser, Meghan tells Emma about being authentic to be successful, before asking the host: "Did you see my 'Baby Momma' dance?" Emma, who is also a founding partner of Kim Kardashian's successful brand Skims, revealed: "We maybe watched it like 20 times yesterday, and I was like, is that, is that her? Is that Prince Harry there with the fingers…I was like, okay…good on Harry, let's go. But that's you, right? Like that's you in a way that we kind of haven't been able to see you before." 'And I did like a little secret cheer, cause I was like, well, that's what I kind of want to see from you. Like I wanna see that happiness and that honesty and that 'I don't give a f***' kind of thing." And breaking her silence on the clip, Meghan explained: "That was four years ago. So it's also a really great reminder that with all the noise or whatever people do, there's still a whole life — a real, authentic, fun life — that's happening behind the scenes." "I'm just grateful that now, being back on social as well, I have a place where I can share it on my own terms." The new teaser clip comes after Meghan took to social media just yesterday to share a heartfelt Father's Day tribute to her husband, featuring rare never-before-seen footage of the couple's two children. Meghan posted a video to Instagram showing Harry alongside Archie and Lilibet, set to the song Have It All by Jason Mraz. 'The best,' she captioned her post. 'Happy Father's Day to our favorite guy.' The compilation showed photos and videos of Harry laughing, dancing and spending quality time with his children through the years. The Duchess made her social media return in early 2025 and regularly shares personal milestones and professional updates through her Instagram account.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Catherine Tyldesley admits she won't speak to kids for ‘three days' when in ‘work mode' on set
The mum-of-two has also revealed what she misses most about her kids when working away MUM CONFESSION Catherine Tyldesley admits she won't speak to kids for 'three days' when in 'work mode' on set CATHERINE Tyldesley has admitted she can go "two or three days" without speaking to her kids when she is away filming. The Good Ship Murder star, 41, shares her son Alfie, 10, and three-year-old daughter Iris with her husband Tom Pitfield and made the confession during a joint podcast. Advertisement 6 Catherine Tyldesley can go up to three days without speaking to her kids when working Credit: Splash 6 The actress is mum to son Alfie and daughter Iris Credit: Instagram 6 Catherine stars opposite Shayne Ward in The Good Ship Murder Credit: PA Catherine said her career can be very "fast-paced" at times and take her abroad for long periods - such as when filming The Good Ship Murder. The Channel 5 drama is shot on board a cruise ship in Malta and, while she is there, Tom is back in the UK with their children. Catherine, who found fame in Coronation Street, said on the Behind The Brood podcast: "When I'm on set, being in Malta as much as I have been, a year-and-a-half in total if you join it all up. I'm OK, because it's very fast paced. "A little bit like it was on Corrie. My head is firmly in work mode. I'm somebody else, I'm not me. Advertisement "But it's when I get back to that hotel in the evening and it's silent.. The bedtime routine, bath time, not being able sit on the bed and read Iris a book or chat to Alfie about how his day was. "I know there's Zoom, which is wonderful, but it's not the same." Tom said to his wife: "Some days we'll go two or three days without Zooming and that might seem mental to some people. "The reality is, you'll sometimes want to ring Iris and she's too busy playing with her dollies." Advertisement Catherine added: "We feel like we know when the time is right and I'm often on a different time zone to you. "When I'm filming on the cruise ship, that's a nightmare because the WiFi is all over the place and we skip from tome zone, to time zone. The Good Ship Murder Channel 5 Trailer "It is difficult and I always say to the other actors on set.. they're like, 'You alright, Cath? Are you missing your kids?' And I'm like, 'I just want to sniff them'. "I just have this... you know when your arms go a bit funny because you just want to squeeze them and sniff their sweaty little heads." Advertisement Tom joked: "It's funny, as I just want to launch them out of the window some days!" Catherine played Eva Price in Coronation Street from 2011 to 2018. The star gave birth to Alfie in 2015 and she and Tom married the following year. They welcomed Iris in April 2022. Tom is a photographer and co-founder of Brood magazine. Advertisement Shortly after Iris was born, Catherine landed her role as First Office Kate Woods in The Good Ship Murder. This meant she had to go abroad when their daughter was only a few months old, which left Tom 'holding the baby'. Speaking to Brood at the time, he said: "To be honest, with this job and how it just all happened so quickly, we didn't really have time to think. "As soon as Cath walked out of the door to go the airport, I had that realisation that I've got to cook the tea now, whilst holding the baby and looking after a seven-year-old, and that's not going to change for the next three months. Advertisement "But you know what, we've done it before – albeit it was just me and Alfie then, so we've got an extra one this time, but we'll do it!" He added: "We knew this was going to be our life whether we had one or two kids, or no kids, so we knew the deal when we first got together and we always said we would do everything as a team, so this is just the next adventure, and we'll complete it and move on. "And we've got to just stay positive like that, as Cath's following her dreams and we support her, just like she supports me, so it's mutual respect.' The Good Ship Murder, which also stars Shayne Ward, is set to return for a third series in 2026. Advertisement 6 Catherine landed the role of First Officer Kate Woods after giving birth to her second child Credit: @auntiecath17/instagram 6 Tom was left looking after Alfie, then seven, and their baby Iris for several months Credit: Instagram
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
ITV Coronation Street star Colson Smith reunites with soap co-star after emotional exit
Colson Smith's character Craig Tinker was killed off in Coronation Street, leaving fans of the soap heartbroken earlier this year. Former Corrie star Colson Smith had a sweet reunion with his on-screen partner following his departure from the popular soap. Colson, who portrayed Craig Tinker, had been a part of the show since 2011. However, his time on the programme came to a close recently when his character met a tragic end while on duty as a police officer. It was no surprise that Colson, 26, would be leaving Coronation Street, after announcing the news back in January. At the time, he shared a photo of himself in his character's police uniform, standing on the iconic cobbles, and expressed: "Autumn last year I was told that Craig Tinker's time on the Cobbles is to come to end in 2025." Reflecting on his 14-year tenure on the show, Colson mentioned that he had thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. He felt extremely fortunate to have grown up amid the ITV soap environment, crediting the people involved with the show for teaching him valuable life lessons. He also expressed his excitement about portraying Craig's exit storyline. The actor added: "For me, this is just the end of the beginning. I genuinely can't wait to see what chapter 2 has in store for me. LONG LIVE THE COBBLES!". After Colson finished filming his final scenes for Coronation Street earlier this year in March, his character's tragic demise at the hands of newcomer Mick Michaelis unfolded in heartbreaking scenes last month. Craig had been a part of the Weatherfield community since 2011. On Sunday June 15, the beloved former soap star was spotted lending a helping hand at Soccer Aid for UNICEF as reported by the Manchester Evening News, hosted at Manchester United's iconic stadium Old Trafford. Colson Smith joined the roster of famous faces manning the 'appreciation station', fielding calls from generous individuals keen to donate. Brothers Adam and Ryan Thomas, Strictly Come Dancing's Nadiya Bychkova, and Dragons' Den investor Sara Davies were also among the celebs involved. However it was one reunion that got everyone talking, as Colson's ex-Coronation Street pal and on-screen romantic interest Ellie Leach as Colson gleefully posed together with her for a selfie, marking a sweet reunion nearly two years post their on-screen split. Amid the glitzy charity football extravaganza broadcast live on television, Colson shared an Instagram snapshot as he busied himself with the hotline. His accompanying caption was cheerful: "Ey Up, it's Colson at Soccer Aid HQ here! How may I help you? ! ?". The actor's fans didn't take long to pour in their encouragement. One person expressed: "So proud of u! !" Meanwhile, another quipped, "Nice one col.."
