Latest news with #BellaBrown
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- 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.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rachel Zegler sparks fan fury as she walks off halfway through London stage performance
Rachel Zegler left fans furious as she abruptly left the stage midway through her Evita performance on Thursday. The 24-year-old star of the 'woke' Snow White remake was said to have fallen ill during the show at London's Palladium theatre - and her departure was announced in the intermission, reported PEOPLE. Following a brief pause, Zegler's understudy Bella Brown took on the main Evita role for the second act 2 - and she earned a five minute standing ovation. Zegler, who won rave reviews for her Evita portrayal, was set to return to the stage for Friday evening's performance, her representative confirmed. On social media, one fan wrote: 'Rachel Zegler ruining everything she's a part of still.' Others penned: 'Give her a job at McDonalds. It's clear this woman is not cut out for entertainment. Stop giving her charity.' Another added: 'The understudy is better. No shock.' Some fans sent well wishes to the star: 'Hope she's OK.'
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Snow White star Rachel Zegler quits Evita mid-show in London
Rachel Zegler left Evita mid-performance on Thursday due to a mystery illness and did not return. The actress's departure was announced during intermission, per a People reporter who was present. Zegler — who plays the lead, former Argentinian politician and activist Evita Perón, in the play — has yet to address why she suddenly exited or provided a health update. Page Six has reached out to her reps for comment but has not immediately heard back. It's also unclear whether Zegler will return to the stage for Friday's show. The play's official Instagram has not released a statement and reps for The London Palladium theatre could not immediately be reached. Despite Zegler's absence, Thursday's audience still got a full show as her understudy stepped in. Bella Brown reportedly began Act 2 with Don't Cry for Me Argentina, one of the most famous songs from the play by renowned composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. The actress received a standing ovation that lasted nearly five minutes, per People, and she and the rest of the cast bowed 10 times as a result. Brown continued to relish the praise via social media on Friday by reposting some of the compliments, including one that called her a 'superstar.' She also added via her Instagram Story, 'Today really showed just how important swings and covers are within the industry!! They are the pillars of a show!! A proud day to be at @officialevita.' In March, it was revealed that Zegler had been chosen to play Perón in the West End's Evita. '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,' the West Side Story star told Deadline. 'The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd's singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honour unlike any other.' She continued, 'The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can't wait to make my West End debut in such great company.' The casting came after Zegler's live-action version of Snow White bombed at the box office following a series of controversial remarks and rumours of a feud between her and co-star Gal Gadot. Her final performance at the London Palladium is scheduled for September 6th.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rachel Zegler sparks fan fury with mysterious Evita exit halfway through London show
Rachel Zegler left fans furious as she abruptly left the stage midway through her Evita performance on Thursday. The 24-year-old star of the 'woke' Snow White remake fell ill during the show at London's Palladium theatre - with her departure announced at intermission, per People. Following a brief pause, her understudy Bella Brown, who played Perón's Mistress in the musical, took on the Evita role for act 2 - which begins with Don't Cry for Me Argentina. Zegler, who has won rave reviews for her Evita portrayal, will return to the stage tonight, Friday 25th July for the evening performance, her representative confirmed to One fan wrote on social media: 'Rachel zegler ruining everything she's a part of still.' Others penned: 'Give her a job at McDonalds. It's clear this woman isnt cut out for entertainment. Stop giving her charity. 'The understudy is better. No shock. I'd give her a standing ovation if she would just leave. Always one bus stop away from knocking it out of the park with this one. On Broadway they would be demanding their $ back. So apparently woke Snow White is creating box office disasters on two continents. Shame, despite her many missteps and foibles, she seemed to doing a good job by all accounts at this at least. Others sent well wishes for the star, writing: 'Hope she's okay.' Most probably a health issue. I have watched the show and her performance is excellent, both vocals and acting. Actually, she saves a show that lacks narrative coherence and direction generally fails to make the audience emotionally attached. Rachel is playing former First Lady of Argentina Eva Peron in the show, which debuted in 1978 and was written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Fans were left furious with the star over her abrupt exit The play follows her rise from a poor background to becoming a powerful political figure and cultural icon in Argentina. Following the announcement earlier this year, Rachel gushed: '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. 'The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd's singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honour unlike any other. The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can't wait to make my West End debut in such great company.' So far, Zegler is best known for the box office flop Snow White. Prior to its release, Snow White was mired in controversy due to comments from Zegler and the absence of the iconic song 'Someday My Prince Will Come.' In an effort to be more progressive, Disney also changed the dwarves to be called 'magical creatures.' Critics of the remake first jumped on Disney for the decision to cast Zegler in the role due to her Colombian ancestry. The original fairytale revealed that the princess is given her name because her skin is 'as white as snow.' At the time, Zegler said that the origin story had changed, and in Disney's new version the princess earns the name due to a snowstorm she survived as a child. She then came under fire for criticizing original animation when she called it 'dated' during a red carpet interview with Extra TV in 2022. She eventually walked back her comments and assured fans that the love story would be 'integral' to the remake's plot. Disney fans then expressed discontent at Zegler when she said she was 'scared' of the original version as a child and only watched it one time. Although the Disney remake has been widely considered a flop, Rachel has already lined up next role. She will be starring opposite Marisa Tomei, 60, of My Cousin Vinny fame, in her next movie role. In the upcoming comedy-drama She Gets It From Me, Zegler will play the daughter of the Tomei's wild, unruly and free-spirited character, according to the synopsis reported by Variety.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hollywood star mysteriously pulls out of lead West End role halfway through performance
unexpectedly exited midway through Thursday night's performance of the hit West End musical Evita. The American actress, 24, who stars as Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd's acclaimed production, finished the first act before leaving the stage for the remainder of the show. Bella Brown, who had been playing Mistress in the opening act, took over the lead role for the second half, delivering a powerful performance that impressed the audience. Although no official explanation was given for Rachel's sudden exit, fans were treated to a rare glimpse of two talented actresses sharing the spotlight in one night. Bella later celebrated the moment on Instagram, sharing fan praise and writing: 'What a lucky audience getting to see both myself and MY ANGEL REG ZEG!!' She also highlighted the vital importance of understudies in theatre, posting: '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.' MailOnline reached out to Rachel's representatives for comment. Although they didn't disclose the reason for her abrupt exit, they confirmed she is scheduled to return for Friday night's (July 25) show. The play follows her rise from a poor background to becoming a powerful political figure and cultural icon in Argentina. Rachel, who has been engulfed in controversy since the release of Disney's 'woke' Snow White is hoping her fortunes could see a career turn with Evita. Following the announcement earlier this year, Rachel gushed: '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. 'The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd's singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honour unlike any other. The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can't wait to make my West End debut in such great company.' Meanwhile Jamie said: 'I am so excited to be collaborating with the brilliant Rachel Zegler on Evita. She is a phenomenal talent, and I am delighted she will be making her West End debut as the iconic Eva Perón'. An official announcement for the show read: 'Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary Evita returns to the West End, reimagined by the visionary award-winning director Jamie Lloyd'. 'Featuring an iconic score including Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Oh What A Circus, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, and the Oscar-winning You Must Love Me'. 'Fuelled by ambition and passion, Eva Perón rose from poverty to become the most powerful woman in Latin America. A symbol of hope to many Argentines, her star shone brightly as she captured the nation's heart and divided its soul'. Rachel is no stranger to musical theatre and starred in Stephen Spielberg's Oscar winning adaption of West Side Story in 2021. Other famous faces to take on the iconic role Evita include Patti Lupone, Elaine Paige as well as mega Madonna in the 1996 movie version. Rachel was also recently spotted cosying up to her new boyfriend Nathan Fernand during a dog walk in Primrose Hill, London on Tuesday. The couple looked in good spirits as Nathan, who was previously a stripper on the London-based stage show, Magic Mike Live, wrapped his arm around the actress. The break dancer from Nottingham has appeared in shows such as Hamilton and the Lion King. The couple are believed to have met during Evita rehearsals which began in April for Jamie Lloyd's adaptation of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Over the past year, Nathan has worked as a stripper on the Magic Mike Live show - a performance created by Channing Tatum based on the films he starred in by the same name. The 90-minute experience sees a cast of male dancers performing provocative routines, acrobatic acts and musical hits which 'celebrates female desires'.
