Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old Golden Globe-winning actress, has been no stranger to controversy in recent years, but the latest rumor to rock her career is one of the most explosive yet. On June 1, 2025, a YouTube video titled “Rachel Zegler BETRAYED by Her Own Agent?! Evita Deal LEAKED!” went viral, alleging that Zegler’s trusted agent at ICM Partners leaked details of her lucrative Evita deal, potentially jeopardizing her role in the West End revival and her standing in Hollywood. As of today, June 2, 2025, just 12 days before Evita’s opening night at the London Palladium, this shocking claim has sparked heated debates online. But is there truth to the betrayal narrative, or is this another attempt to tarnish Zegler’s reputation amid her already tumultuous career? Let’s dive into the story, examine the evidence, and explore what this means for Zegler’s future.
A Rising Star Amid Controversy
Rachel Zegler first captured the world’s attention in 2021 with her breakout role as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, a performance that earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical. At just 17, she beat out tens of thousands of auditionees for the role, marking her as a talent to watch. Since then, she’s taken on high-profile projects, including The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), which grossed $349 million worldwide, and Disney’s live-action Snow White remake, released on March 21, 2025. She also made her Broadway debut in 2024 as Juliet in a modernized Romeo + Juliet opposite Kit Connor, a production that drew the “youngest ticket-buying audience” in Broadway history, according to a press release.
However, Zegler’s rapid rise has been marred by controversies, particularly surrounding Snow White. The $270 million film was a commercial and critical disappointment, grossing just $225 million globally and earning a 1.6 out of 10 rating on IMDb due to review-bombing campaigns. Zegler’s comments during the press tour—calling the 1937 animated classic “weird” and the prince a “stalker”—drew ire from fans, while her political posts, including a “free Palestine” tweet at Disney’s 2024 D23 expo and anti-Trump remarks after his 2024 reelection, alienated conservative audiences. The film’s failure, coupled with racist backlash to her casting as a Latina actress in a traditionally Caucasian role, has led some to label her “unhireable,” with a Yahoo source in May 2025 claiming she’s “too dangerous to touch” due to her outspokenness.
Despite this, Zegler landed the lead role of Eva Perón in a West End revival of Evita, directed by Jamie Lloyd, set to open on June 14, 2025, at the London Palladium. Announced on March 14, 2025, by Variety, the production was seen as a chance for Zegler to reclaim her narrative after the Snow White fallout. Lloyd praised her “incredible passion” for the show, noting that she would “blow the roof off” the venue. Zegler herself expressed deep personal connection to the musical, recalling how she and her father would sing “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” together as a child. The role also positioned her as one of the highest-paid stars on the West End this season, according to Deadline, a testament to her star power despite the controversies.
The Alleged Betrayal: What We Know
The bombshell rumor of betrayal emerged on June 1, 2025, when a YouTube video claimed that Zegler’s agent at ICM Partners—where she has been represented since January 2020—leaked details of her Evita deal to the press. The video alleged that the leak included sensitive information about her compensation, contract clauses, and potential plans for the show to transfer to Broadway, which the production team had intended to keep under wraps until after the West End run. The leak supposedly infuriated the Evita producers, who were already dealing with reported tensions during rehearsals, as evidenced by earlier YouTube videos claiming Zegler had been “dragged out by security” and faced a “contract breach” lawsuit.
The narrative of betrayal paints a picture of an agent who, instead of protecting Zegler’s interests, exploited her for personal gain—potentially to secure favor with other clients or media outlets. Fans on social media have speculated that the leak was a deliberate attempt to sabotage Zegler, with one X user writing, “Rachel trusted her agent to have her back, but they sold her out. This is why young stars get chewed up in this industry.” Others, however, question the rumor’s validity, pointing out the lack of concrete evidence. No official contract details have been publicly released, and neither ICM Partners nor Zegler’s team has commented on the allegations.
Earlier reports also cast doubt on similar rumors about Zegler’s relationship with her agent. On April 17, 2025, Amy-Movie.com debunked claims that Zegler had been fired by ICM Partners or blacklisted in Hollywood, noting that she remains represented by the agency and praised her agents as recently as June 2024. This suggests a strong, ongoing relationship with ICM, making the betrayal narrative harder to believe without solid proof.
Rehearsal Drama and Evita’s Struggles
The Evita production itself has not been without drama. Multiple YouTube videos in May 2025 claimed Zegler faced significant issues during rehearsals, including allegations of a “backstage tantrum,” being “dragged out by security,” and even being “replaced” after a new actress was spotted in a rehearsal clip. Other videos reported that the cast “refused to work with her” and that director Jamie Lloyd called her a “nightmare” in leaked private notes. Additionally, a video on May 20, 2025, claimed the Evita producers were suing Zegler for a contract breach, though no legal documents have surfaced to substantiate this.
These claims, while sensational, lack corroboration from credible sources. The narrative of Zegler’s “meltdown” may be exaggerated or entirely fabricated, as similar rumors about her behavior on the Snow White set were later debunked. However, Evita has undeniably struggled with ticket sales. A Daily Mail report on April 23, 2025, noted that “rows of seats remain unsold” for the 12-week run, with June, July, August, and September shows showing “green good” availability despite tickets starting at just £29.50 in the 2,286-seat venue. Yahoo reported on May 2 that “only a handful of shows are considered semi-full,” attributing the sluggish sales to Zegler’s tarnished reputation post-Snow White.
Some online commentators, particularly on Reddit, have suggested that the poor ticket sales are less about Zegler’s talent and more about targeted backlash from conservative groups, who have attacked her for being “too woke” since her Snow White comments. A Reddit user on r/TheWestEnd noted that “American MAGA doxxers are intentionally trying to bad mouth anything Zegler is doing,” a campaign that has also affected other progressive figures like Taylor Swift and Robert DeNiro, though their established careers have weathered the storm better.
Examining the Betrayal Narrative: Fact or Fiction?
The idea that Zegler’s agent betrayed her by leaking the Evita deal raises several questions. First, what would the agent stand to gain? ICM Partners, a top talent agency, has represented Zegler since 2020, a signing that was highly competitive, with five major agencies vying for her after West Side Story. Spielberg himself reportedly helped Zegler navigate her agency decision, suggesting a strong foundation of trust. A betrayal of this magnitude would risk the agent’s reputation and future business, an unlikely move for a seasoned professional.
Second, the details of the alleged leak—Zegler’s compensation and potential Broadway transfer—have not been independently verified. While Deadline reported that Zegler would be “one of the highest-paid stars” on the West End this season, no specific figures were disclosed. The idea of a Broadway transfer aligns with fan speculation on Reddit, where users on r/Fauxmoi expressed hope that Evita might move to New York, but no official plans have been confirmed. Without concrete evidence, the leak story feels more like clickbait designed to capitalize on Zegler’s existing controversies.
Third, the timing of the rumor—just 12 days before Evita’s opening night—suggests it could be an attempt to further derail the production. Zegler has already faced significant backlash, from racist attacks over her Snow White casting to criticism of her political views. The betrayal narrative fits into a pattern of scapegoating, where Zegler is blamed for systemic issues—like Snow White’s $115 million loss or Evita’s ticket sales struggles—rather than addressing broader factors, such as Disney’s creative missteps or targeted online campaigns against her.
Zegler’s Resilience and Future Prospects
Despite the drama, Zegler remains a talent with immense potential. At 23, she has already amassed a cumulative box office total exceeding $700 million, with Snow White as her second-highest-grossing film despite its failure, according to The Numbers. Her upcoming projects include She Gets It From Me, a film opposite Marisa Tomei slated for release later this year, which could serve as a comeback vehicle if well-received. Her role in Evita, while controversial, offers a chance to showcase her vocal and acting abilities in a new light, playing a historical figure known for her complexity and charisma.
Critics of the betrayal narrative argue that Zegler’s challenges stem not from personal failings but from systemic issues in Hollywood. Young actresses, particularly women of color, often face disproportionate scrutiny, as noted by film critics like Anna Smith of the Girls On Film podcast. Zegler’s refusal to conform—whether by standing by her political views or critiquing outdated gender norms in Snow White—has made her a target, but it’s also what makes her a role model for her Gen-Z fanbase. Supporters on Reddit have praised her as “grace under fire” and “principled,” noting her ability to navigate adversity while maintaining her integrity.
A Broader Reflection on Hollywood’s Dynamics
The Zegler saga, whether the betrayal rumor is true or not, highlights the precarious position of young stars in the entertainment industry. The expectation that Zegler should remain silent on political issues or conform to studio expectations ignores the reality of the social media age, where authenticity often matters more to audiences than polished PR. At the same time, the lack of media training during her Snow White press tour, as suggested by podcast host Zack Peter, points to Disney’s failure to support her adequately—a failure that has been conveniently overshadowed by the focus on her alleged missteps.
As Evita prepares to open, the spotlight will be on Zegler to deliver a performance that silences her critics. Whether the betrayal rumor is a fabricated attempt to undermine her or a genuine breach of trust, it’s clear that Zegler’s journey in Hollywood is far from over. Her talent, resilience, and growing fanbase suggest she has the potential to rise above this latest controversy—if the industry gives her the chance to do so.
