Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old star of West Side Story and Disney’s Snow White, has found herself at the center of a firestorm following reports of a dramatic meltdown during rehearsals for the West End revival of Evita at the London Palladium. The production, directed by 2025 Tony nominee Jamie Lloyd, was meant to mark Zegler’s triumphant West End debut as Eva Perón, with previews set to begin on June 14, 2025. However, recent events have cast a dark shadow over the highly anticipated show, with allegations of unprofessional behavior and chaotic rehearsals threatening to derail Zegler’s rising career.
According to multiple sources on YouTube, including videos uploaded between May 13 and May 18, 2025, Zegler’s conduct during Evita rehearsals has been described as nothing short of explosive. Reports claim that the actress clashed with director Jamie Lloyd and other cast members, leading to a series of heated confrontations. One video titled “Evita Rehearsal ERUPTS — Rachel Zegler EXPOSED for Diva Meltdown!” alleges that Zegler’s behavior was so disruptive that she was forcibly removed from the rehearsal space by security. Another source claims that leaked footage shows her being “dragged out” after tensions boiled over, with Zegler reportedly refusing to cooperate with the production team.
The Evita revival, which features Diego Andres Rodriguez as Che and James Olivas as Juan Perón, has been under intense scrutiny since its announcement. Zegler, who expressed her excitement for the role in a March 2025 Variety statement, saying, “Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl,” was expected to bring her vocal prowess and stage presence to the iconic role of Eva Perón. However, her alleged “diva” antics have drawn sharp criticism. Sources claim that Zegler blamed a “toxic rehearsal culture” for her outburst, but this defense has done little to quell the backlash, with some insiders suggesting she may have been replaced after a new actress was spotted in a viral rehearsal clip.
The chaos has sparked widespread speculation about Zegler’s future in the industry. Posts on X reflect a growing sentiment that Hollywood studios may be distancing themselves from the actress, with some even claiming she has been “blacklisted” following the Evita fallout. This controversy comes on the heels of Zegler’s already tumultuous year, marked by the commercial failure of Snow White and public feuds, including her rumored tension with co-star Gal Gadot. Zegler’s history of outspokenness—such as her comments on the original Snow White film and her political statements supporting Palestine—has made her a polarizing figure, and the Evita drama only adds fuel to the fire.
As of 8:31 PM on May 23, 2025, neither Zegler nor the Evita production team has issued an official statement regarding the allegations. The show’s official website, EvitaTheMusical.com, still lists Zegler as the lead, but with performances scheduled through September 6, the uncertainty surrounding her involvement looms large. Whether Zegler can salvage her role—and her reputation—remains to be seen, but this latest scandal has undoubtedly left fans and critics alike questioning her next move.
