Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old actress and singer who rose to fame with her Golden Globe-winning role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021), has faced a turbulent 2025. After the disappointing performance of Disney’s live-action Snow White earlier this year, Zegler’s West End debut as Eva Perón in a revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita at the London Palladium was anticipated as a potential comeback. However, reports of poor ticket sales, with some performances allegedly selling zero tickets, have sparked widespread discussion online and in the media. This article explores the reported flop of Evita, Zegler’s response to the setback, the broader context of her career, and the polarized reactions from fans and critics, drawing on recent web and social media insights.

The Evita Revival: High Hopes, Low Turnout

The Jamie Lloyd-directed production of Evita, which began previews on June 14, 2025, at the London Palladium, was marketed as a bold reimagining of the 1978 musical. Zegler’s casting as Eva Perón, the iconic Argentine figure, was a major draw, given her vocal prowess and stage experience, including her Broadway debut as Juliet in Romeo + Juliet in 2024. The production gained attention for its innovative staging, particularly Zegler’s performance of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from the theater’s exterior balcony, broadcast live to the audience inside. This spectacle attracted crowds outside the Palladium, generating significant social media buzz, with videos of Zegler’s balcony performance going viral.

Despite the hype, reports surfaced in April and May 2025 suggesting that ticket sales were underwhelming. According to sources like Cosmic Book News and NewsNation, many performances had rows of unsold seats, with some shows described as having “zero tickets sold” for certain time slots. A Daily Mail article highlighted that, just two months before opening, ticket sales were lagging, raising concerns about the production’s viability. Social media posts on X amplified these claims, with users sharing screenshots of empty booking screens and mocking the show’s apparent lack of interest. YouTube videos with sensational titles like “Rachel Zegler IN TEARS as Show Tickets Drop to $0 After HUGE FLOP” further fueled the narrative, though these claims lack verified evidence of Zegler’s emotional response.

However, conflicting reports paint a different picture. Deadline reported in June 2025 that Evita was a “smash hit,” with producer Michael Harrison describing ticket sales as “healthy” and driven by “pure word-of-mouth.” He credited Zegler’s “phenomenal” singing and the creative team’s innovative approach for the show’s success, even suggesting a potential Broadway transfer in 2027. The New York Times praised Zegler’s “delightful” performance, noting her ability to command the stage, while BroadwayWorld highlighted her appearance at West End LIVE, where she performed to thousands of theater fans. These positive accounts suggest that Evita has found an audience, particularly among theater enthusiasts, despite initial struggles.

The Snow White Backlash: A Precursor to Evita’s Challenges

The Evita narrative cannot be separated from the fallout of Zegler’s previous project, Disney’s live-action Snow White, which was released on March 21, 2025, and became one of Disney’s biggest box office disappointments, losing an estimated $115 million. The film, co-starring Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, grossed only $202.8 million worldwide against a $270 million budget, with a re-release in May 2025 averaging just 17 tickets sold per theater. Critics and audiences criticized the film’s CGI “magical creatures” (replacing the traditional Seven Dwarfs) and its departure from the 1937 animated classic, with a 44% Rotten Tomatoes score reflecting mixed reception.

Zegler faced significant backlash for her comments about the original Snow White, including calling its love story “weird” and outdated in a 2022 interview, which alienated some Disney fans. Her political outspokenness, particularly her “Free Palestine” post on X in August 2024 and remarks about Trump supporters in November 2024, further polarized audiences. Jonah Platt, son of producer Marc Platt, publicly blamed Zegler’s “immature” political comments for hurting the film’s box office, claiming she “hijacked the conversation” during promotion. Disney reportedly intervened, hiring a social media manager to oversee Zegler’s posts. This controversy followed Zegler into Evita, with some outlets suggesting her polarizing persona made her “unhireable” in Hollywood.

Zegler’s Response: Resilience Amid Criticism

Zegler has not directly addressed the Evita ticket sale rumors, but she spoke candidly about the Snow White backlash in a June 2025 interview with i-D magazine. She credited therapy and anti-anxiety medication for helping her cope with the intense criticism, noting that her psychiatrist reminded her that such scrutiny “isn’t normal.” Zegler stood firm on her advocacy, stating, “There are worse things” than career setbacks if speaking out for causes like Palestine leads to her “downfall.” She emphasized her compassion, saying, “My compassion has no boundaries,” while wearing a bracelet supporting a ceasefire in Gaza.

On social media, Zegler has remained active, celebrating her Evita role and engaging with fans. Her performance at West End LIVE on June 21–22, 2025, drew thousands, and her balcony rendition of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” was widely praised online, suggesting she retains a strong fanbase. However, the narrative of her “breaking down in tears” over Evita’s alleged flop appears to be speculative, driven by unverified YouTube videos and X posts rather than credible evidence.

Fan and Critic Reactions: A Divided Audience

The response to Zegler’s Evita is deeply polarized. Supporters argue she’s a victim of unfair criticism, with some on X and Reddit calling her a “target” due to her Latina identity, youth, and outspokenness. Fans praised her for staying “booked and busy,” citing her upcoming role in the comedy-drama She Gets It from Me alongside Marisa Tomei as evidence of her resilience. One X user wrote, “Zegler and Tomei are about to give us emotional wreckage with eyeliner. I’m so in,” while others lauded her Evita performance as a “major accomplishment.”

Critics, however, have been harsh. X posts mocked Evita’s supposed empty seats, with one user calling it “sad and cringe” alongside references to Snow White’s empty theaters. Others expressed skepticism about her casting, with comments like, “There’s no way someone hired Rachel Zegler,” and predictions of another flop. The Daily Mail and Cosmic Book News amplified these sentiments, framing Evita as a continuation of Zegler’s “woke” controversies. Some attributed the show’s struggles to Zegler’s polarizing reputation rather than the production itself, though The Guardian noted the balcony staging may alienate paying audiences inside the theater.

Contextualizing the “Flop” Narrative

The claim that Evita sold “zero tickets” is likely exaggerated. Deadline’s report of strong box office performance and a potential Broadway transfer contradicts earlier claims of failure, suggesting the show gained traction after previews. The London Palladium, with a capacity of around 2,286 seats, is a large venue, and filling it for a 12-week run is challenging for any production. Ticket sales may have been slow initially, as reported in April 2025, but word-of-mouth and Zegler’s star power appear to have boosted interest by July.

The Snow White fallout likely amplified scrutiny of Evita. Zegler’s comments and the film’s poor performance created a narrative of failure that carried over to her next project, with sensationalized headlines exaggerating her struggles. The theater industry also faces broader challenges in 2025, with high ticket prices and post-pandemic recovery affecting attendance. A former cinema worker’s comment on X about low attendance for late-night screenings suggests that some reported “empty” shows may reflect scheduling rather than overall demand.

What’s Next for Rachel Zegler?

Despite the challenges, Zegler’s career remains active. She voiced the lead in Netflix’s animated Spellbound (2025) and is set to star in She Gets It from Me, a low-budget comedy-drama about a daughter reconnecting with her ex-punk rocker mother, directed by Julia von Heinz. Rumors of a Sound of Music revival at Lincoln Center also indicate potential future projects. Her Evita performance has earned critical praise, with The New York Times calling her a “delight,” and a Broadway transfer could redeem her stage reputation.

Zegler’s outspokenness, while divisive, aligns with Gen Z’s values, with polls showing strong support for Palestine among younger audiences. Her refusal to back down, as noted in her i-D interview, reflects a commitment to authenticity, even at professional risk. While Evita’s early struggles and the Snow White backlash have dented her public image, her talent and fanbase suggest she’s far from finished.

Conclusion

Rachel Zegler’s Evita has faced a rocky road, with reports of low ticket sales overshadowed by later claims of a “smash hit.” The narrative of her “breaking down” over a flop appears to be sensationalized, driven by unverified sources and amplified by her Snow White controversies. While Zegler’s polarizing comments have drawn criticism, her vocal talent and stage presence continue to earn acclaim, and her upcoming projects signal a resilient career. As Evita continues its run and eyes a Broadway transfer, Zegler remains a divisive yet undeniable talent in Hollywood and theater, navigating setbacks with determination.