Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old actress who burst onto the Hollywood scene with a Golden Globe-winning performance in West Side Story (2021), has faced a turbulent year in 2025. Following the commercial failure of Disney’s live-action Snow White remake and a wave of public backlash, Zegler’s latest venture—a West End revival of Evita at the London Palladium—has been labeled a flop, with rumors swirling that she has been blacklisted from multiple studio events as a result. As of May 21, 2025, YouTube videos and social media posts claim that Zegler’s alleged unprofessional behavior during Evita rehearsals, combined with the show’s poor ticket sales, has led to a Hollywood freeze-out. However, a closer examination reveals a narrative clouded by speculation, unverified claims, and potential misinformation. This article explores the Evita flop, the blacklisting rumors, and what this means for Zegler’s career in an industry quick to judge its young stars.
The Evita Flop: A Struggling Production
Rachel Zegler was cast as Eva Perón in a revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s 1978 musical Evita, directed by Jamie Lloyd, set to open at the London Palladium on June 14, 2025, and run through September 6. The announcement, reported by Vulture on March 14, 2025, was initially met with excitement—director Jamie Lloyd praised Zegler’s “incredible passion” for the show, predicting she would “blow the roof off” the Palladium. Zegler herself expressed deep personal connection to the musical, noting that she used to sing “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” with her father as a child. The role was seen as a chance for Zegler to pivot to the stage, leveraging her Broadway experience from Romeo + Juliet (2024-2025), which drew a young audience but earned no Tony nomination.
However, reports soon emerged of the production’s struggles. A Cosmic Book News article published on April 23, 2025, highlighted dismal ticket sales, noting that “rows of seats remain unsold weeks before opening.” The Daily Mail (April 22, 2025) corroborated this, stating that the ticketing website showed “a lot of empty seats and no sellouts,” with June, July, August, and September performances all displaying “green good availability” despite tickets starting at just £29.50 for the 2,286-seat venue. This lack of interest mirrors the commercial failure of Snow White, which grossed only $143.1 million globally against a $350 million budget, resulting in a $115 million loss for Disney, as noted by the Daily Mail (April 9, 2025).
The Evita flop narrative gained traction amid Zegler’s existing controversies. Her comments during the Snow White press tour—calling the 1937 original “weird” and emphasizing a modernized, leadership-focused Snow White—drew backlash from fans who felt she disrespected a classic. Her political statements, including a “free Palestine” post in August 2024 and a “F*** Donald Trump” message after the 2024 election, further polarized audiences, leading to boycott threats. Industry insiders blamed Zegler for Snow White’s failure, with a Disney producer’s son publicly attributing the film’s poor performance to her “personal politics,” as reported by the Daily Mail. The struggling Evita ticket sales have been framed as a continuation of this downward spiral, with some suggesting that Zegler’s controversies have turned off theatergoers.
The Blacklisting Rumors: A Hollywood Freeze-Out?
The narrative of Zegler being blacklisted from multiple studio events stems largely from YouTube videos posted between May 16 and May 19, 2025, with titles like “Zegler BANNED From Multiple Studio Events After Evita Fallout” and “Rachel Zegler BLACKLISTED by Studios After Evita Rehearsal MELTDOWN!” These videos claim that Zegler’s alleged unprofessional behavior during Evita rehearsals—ranging from a “diva meltdown” to being forcibly removed by security—combined with the show’s flop, has led Hollywood studios to distance themselves from her. Some videos assert that studios have quietly banned her from events, while others claim she has been “blacklisted” entirely, effectively ending her career.
Posts on X reflect public curiosity about these claims, with users sharing the YouTube links and asking for updates on Zegler’s status in the production. One user asked a theater journalist to address reports of Zegler creating problems with her behavior, including walking off set and not returning, indicating that the rumor has gained traction online. However, these posts and videos are inconclusive, lacking corroboration from credible sources. The Palladium Theatre and Jamie Lloyd have not issued any official statements confirming Zegler’s removal or a studio blacklist, and no mainstream outlet has verified these claims.
The blacklisting narrative is further complicated by the lack of evidence for the Evita flop itself. While ticket sales are reportedly low, the show has not yet opened—it is scheduled to begin previews on June 14, 2025, nearly a month from now. Low presale numbers do not necessarily equate to a flop, as theater productions often see a surge in sales closer to opening night or after reviews are published. The Cosmic Book News report, while accurate in noting empty seats, may be premature in labeling Evita a failure before its debut. Additionally, the YouTube videos alleging a rehearsal meltdown rely on sensationalized narration rather than verifiable evidence, with no leaked footage or firsthand accounts to support the claims of Zegler being escorted out by security.
Zegler’s Career Context: A Star Under Scrutiny
To understand why Zegler has become a target for such rumors, it’s essential to examine her career trajectory in 2025. Her breakout role in West Side Story earned her critical acclaim and positioned her as a rising star. Her casting as Snow White was initially celebrated for its diversity—she is the first Latina to play the iconic princess—but the film’s failure and the ensuing backlash have taken a toll. Industry insiders, as reported by Vanity Fair (March 29, 2025), blamed Zegler for Snow White’s “poison box office,” citing her political statements and comments as reasons for its poor performance. The film’s $115 million loss made it one of Disney’s most expensive flops, drawing comparisons to other high-profile failures like Joker: Folie à Deux.
Zegler’s political activism has also made her a lightning rod for cultural debates. Her “free Palestine” post prompted producer Marc Platt to fly to New York to address her social media behavior, though she refused to take down the post, as noted by Vanity Fair. Her “F*** Donald Trump” statement drew criticism from conservative figures, further polarizing audiences. These incidents have painted Zegler as a controversial figure, with some fans praising her integrity—actress Melissa Barrera called her “cool as hell”—while others have labeled her ungrateful and self-centered, leading to boycott threats and hashtags like #WokeSnowWhite trending online.
The Evita role was seen as a chance for Zegler to pivot to the stage, leveraging her Broadway success and vocal talents. However, the rumored rehearsal drama and poor ticket sales have cast a shadow over this opportunity. A Daily Mail article (April 11, 2025) also noted tension with Madonna, who played Eva Perón in the 1996 Evita film and reportedly felt “slighted” by Zegler’s failure to acknowledge her iconic performance. While this tension is unrelated to the blacklisting rumors, it underscores the broader narrative of Zegler struggling to navigate her public image and professional relationships.
Critical Examination: Fact or Fabrication?
The narrative of Zegler being blacklisted from studio events after an Evita flop must be critically examined. The YouTube videos and posts on X alleging her removal from rehearsals and subsequent blacklisting lack verifiable evidence. The absence of official statements from the Palladium Theatre, Jamie Lloyd, or Zegler herself suggests that the story may be a fabrication, possibly designed to capitalize on Zegler’s existing controversies. The pattern of misinformation targeting her—seen in false South Park and Simpsons rumors—supports this skepticism, as does the lack of actual footage or firsthand accounts to support the claims of a rehearsal meltdown.
The Evita flop narrative is also premature. While ticket sales are reportedly low, the show has not yet opened, and theater productions often see fluctuations in sales based on reviews, word-of-mouth, and promotional efforts. The Cosmic Book News report, while accurate in noting empty seats, may be exaggerating the production’s failure by labeling it a flop before its debut. Zegler’s involvement in the show remains unconfirmed—she has not been officially replaced, and her scheduled absences on specific dates, as noted in a Reddit thread (April 30, 2025), are likely for vocal rest, a common practice for theater actors, rather than a sign of dismissal.
The blacklisting rumor is further undermined by Zegler’s upcoming projects. She is set to star in the indie romcom She Gets It From Me alongside Marisa Tomei, a move that suggests she is not entirely frozen out by the industry, as reported by World of Reel (April 30, 2025). While her reputation has taken a hit, the idea of a formal blacklist—where studios ban her from events—lacks substantiation. Hollywood blacklisting is a serious claim, historically associated with political persecution, as seen with Kevin Spacey’s comments on “blacklist culture” at Cannes, reported by the Daily Mail (April 22, 2025). Applying this term to Zegler seems more like sensationalism than reality, especially given the lack of evidence from credible sources.
Implications for Zegler’s Future
Zegler’s future in Hollywood remains uncertain but not without hope. The rumored Evita flop and blacklisting narrative, while damaging to her image, are not supported by concrete evidence, suggesting she may still have a chance to salvage her career. Her pivot to indie projects like She Gets It From Me indicates a strategic move to rebuild her reputation away from blockbuster scrutiny, a path that has worked for other young actresses facing backlash. If she remains in Evita, the production could still be a success, offering her a platform to showcase her stage talents and win back audiences.
The broader implications of this controversy highlight the challenges young actresses face in navigating fame, politics, and public perception. Zegler’s activism has made her a lightning rod for cultural debates, as seen with the Snow White backlash, and the misinformation surrounding Evita exacerbates this scrutiny, creating a distorted image of her as a problematic star. Yet, her talent—evident in her West Side Story performance and vocal prowess—suggests she has the potential to rebound, provided she can navigate the current storm and find projects that allow her to shine.
Conclusion: A Narrative Clouded by Speculation
The narrative of Rachel Zegler being blacklisted from multiple studio events after an Evita flop is a story clouded by speculation and misinformation. As of May 21, 2025, the Evita production has not yet opened, and while ticket sales are reportedly low, labeling it a flop is premature. The YouTube videos and posts on X alleging a rehearsal meltdown and subsequent blacklisting lack verifiable evidence, suggesting they may be part of a broader wave of clickbait targeting Zegler, similar to false South Park and Simpsons rumors.
At 23, Zegler is at a crossroads—facing intense scrutiny but also showing resilience through new projects. While the Evita narrative has added to her challenges, it is unlikely to result in a formal blacklist, and her upcoming roles indicate she still has opportunities to rebuild her career. The controversy surrounding Evita serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of fame for young actresses—and the importance of separating fact from fiction in an era where sensationalism often reigns supreme. For Zegler, the path forward may be challenging, but her talent and determination offer a glimmer of hope for a brighter future in Hollywood.
