In a shocking twist that has sent Hollywood gossip into overdrive, actor Josh Andrés Rivera has publicly claimed he was blindsided by his ex-girlfriend Rachel Zegler’s decision to end their relationship, alleging infidelity and a sudden breakup while she was performing in London. The 29-year-old star of American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez reportedly told close associates, “I didn’t know anything, she was performing in London and suddenly said breakup,” hinting at a betrayal that has left him reeling. The revelation, coming months after Zegler debuted her new romance with Evita dancer Nathan Louis-Fernand, has ignited a firestorm of speculation about the timeline of their split and the circumstances surrounding Rivera’s claims. As Zegler basks in the glow of her West End success, Rivera’s allegations cast a shadow over their once-celebrated love story, raising questions about trust, fame, and the pressures of Hollywood relationships.

The Rise and Fall of a Hollywood Power Couple

Rachel Zegler and Josh Andrés Rivera’s romance began on the set of Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story in 2019, where Zegler played Maria and Rivera portrayed Chino. Their chemistry, both on and off-screen, blossomed into a public relationship confirmed in February 2021, when Zegler tweeted, “I love Josh Andres Rivera,” alongside smiling selfies. The couple, who shared Puerto Rican heritage and a passion for musical theater, quickly became a fan-favorite Hollywood duo, with Zegler gushing about Rivera’s grounding presence in interviews. “He’s able to bring me back to earth and tell me when it really doesn’t matter,” she told Elle in May 2022, praising his ability to shield her from the pressures of fame.

Their professional collaboration continued with The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), where Zegler starred as Lucy Gray Baird and Rivera played Sejanus Plinth. Zegler’s Instagram tribute to Rivera during filming, calling him “my favorite actor in the world,” underscored their deep bond. The couple attended high-profile events together, from the 2022 Grammys to the Shazam! Fury of the Gods premiere in March 2023, projecting an image of mutual support and love. However, cracks began to appear in late 2024, when fans noticed Zegler editing Rivera out of her Instagram posts, sparking breakup rumors.

Rivera’s Bombshell Claim

Rivera’s recent claims, reported by sources close to the actor, paint a far more dramatic picture of their split than previously understood. According to an insider cited by Us Weekly, Rivera felt “completely blindsided” when Zegler ended their relationship in late 2024, while she was in London preparing for her role as Eva Perón in the West End revival of Evita. “I didn’t know anything,” Rivera reportedly said. “She was performing in London and suddenly said breakup.” The statement, laced with hurt and confusion, suggests Zegler’s decision was abrupt and possibly tied to her new romance with Nathan Louis-Fernand, a dancer in the Evita ensemble.

Rivera’s use of the term “cắm sừng” (a Vietnamese phrase for infidelity, implying being “cheated on”) has fueled speculation that Zegler began her relationship with Fernand before officially ending things with Rivera. The timeline remains murky, but Zegler’s public appearance with Fernand at Sabrina Carpenter’s BST Hyde Park performance on July 6, 2025, came just months after breakup rumors surfaced in November 2024. Social media posts on X, including one from @ELLEmagazine on July 8, 2025, confirmed the split occurred “late last year,” but Rivera’s allegations suggest the breakup was not as amicable as reported.

The London Connection: Zegler’s New Chapter

Zegler’s move to London in early 2025 to star in Evita marked a pivotal moment in her career and personal life. The Jamie Lloyd-directed production, running at the London Palladium through September 6, has been a critical and commercial success, with Zegler’s performance earning praise for its emotional depth. Her innovative rendition of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from the theater’s balcony has drawn crowds of up to 1,000 nightly, though it sparked controversy among ticket holders who missed the live performance indoors.

It was during Evita rehearsals that Zegler met Fernand, a 26-year-old British actor and dancer known for roles in The Lion King and Magic Mike Live. Their romance went public at BST Hyde Park, where they were photographed kissing and holding hands during Carpenter’s set. Fans on Reddit and X celebrated Zegler’s happiness, with comments like “Rachel looks so in love with Nathan” and “Good for her moving on.” However, Rivera’s claims have shifted the narrative, with some fans now questioning Zegler’s actions. “If Josh is telling the truth, that’s messed up,” one X user posted. “She was with him for years and then just dropped him?”

Rivera’s Perspective: Hurt and Betrayal

Rivera, who has largely kept a low profile since the split, has hinted at his emotional turmoil through subtle actions. In November 2024, he unfollowed Hunger Games co-star Tom Blyth on Instagram, a move fans linked to his breakup with Zegler, who remains close to Blyth. Reddit threads on r/Fauxmoi speculated that Rivera felt betrayed, with one user noting, “Josh seemed less enthusiastic about Rachel than she was about him. Maybe he sensed something was off.” Rivera’s rare comments about Zegler, such as his October 2024 praise for her Broadway debut in Romeo + Juliet to Us Weekly, suggested lingering affection, making his recent allegations all the more jarring.

Rivera’s career has continued to rise, with his starring role as Aaron Hernandez in FX’s American Sports Story (2024) earning critical acclaim. In a Vulture interview, he spoke of navigating fame with Zegler, saying, “I have a lot of respect for her because she stands up for what she believes in.” However, his recent comments to associates indicate a sense of betrayal, possibly exacerbated by Zegler’s high-profile romance with Fernand. The age gap between Zegler (23) and Rivera (29), noted in a January 2024 Reddit thread, has also resurfaced, with critics arguing Rivera pursued Zegler when she was just 17, a claim his fans dispute.

Public and Media Reaction

The fallout from Rivera’s claims has divided fans and media. On X, Zegler’s supporters defend her right to move on, with one user writing, “Rachel doesn’t owe Josh anything. She’s young and thriving in London.” Others sympathize with Rivera, citing his public support for Zegler’s career. “Josh was always there for her, and this is how she repays him?” a Reddit user commented on r/popculturechat. Media outlets like People and Cosmopolitan have revisited the couple’s timeline, noting Zegler’s effusive posts about Rivera contrasted with his more reserved demeanor, which some now interpret as a sign of imbalance.

The controversy has also reignited scrutiny of Zegler’s personal life, already strained by her 2024 social media backlash over political comments and Snow White controversies. Her decision to delete posts featuring Rivera, confirmed by Her Campus in March 2025, was seen as a clean break, but Rivera’s allegations suggest unresolved tensions. False narratives, such as AI-generated YouTube videos claiming Zegler cheated with Kit Connor, have been debunked by Snopes, but they highlight the public’s fascination with her romantic life.

The Bigger Picture: Fame and Relationships

Rivera’s claims underscore the challenges of maintaining relationships in Hollywood, where intense schedules and public scrutiny can strain even the strongest bonds. Zegler’s move to London for Evita, coupled with her immersion in a new theater community, likely created distance from Rivera, who was filming American Sports Story in the U.S. The pressures of fame, noted by Zegler in a 2022 Elle interview, may have exacerbated underlying issues, with Rivera’s quieter career trajectory clashing with Zegler’s meteoric rise.

The incident also reflects broader discussions about age gaps and power dynamics in relationships. Critics on r/Fauxmoi have called Rivera’s pursuit of a 17-year-old Zegler “problematic,” though supporters argue their shared theater background and mutual respect negate such concerns. Zegler’s new relationship with Fernand, closer in age and professional context, appears to align more closely with her current life stage, but Rivera’s allegations have complicated her narrative as a rising star.

Looking Ahead: Healing and Moving On

As Zegler continues her Evita run and prepares for Snow White’s release, she has remained silent on Rivera’s claims, focusing instead on her work and new romance. Her Instagram posts, filled with Evita highlights and moments with Fernand, project confidence, though some fans speculate she’s avoiding the controversy. Rivera, meanwhile, is promoting American Sports Story and has hinted at new theater projects, including a role in The Outsiders in 2026.

The public spat may fade, but its emotional toll lingers. For Rivera, the breakup represents a painful chapter in a relationship that defined his early career. For Zegler, it’s a reminder of the scrutiny that accompanies fame. As one X user put it, “Rachel and Josh were cute, but Hollywood romances rarely last. Hopefully, they both find peace.” In a world of red carpets and stage lights, their story is a poignant reminder that even the brightest stars face heartbreak in the shadows.