In a world where celebrity stories often revolve around glamour and controversy, Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old actress and singer, has once again proven that her heart is as big as her talent. In a remarkable turn of events in early 2025, Zegler collaborated with a foster child named Emily Carter to bring the young girl’s dream of creating a musical to life. What started as a small, heartfelt project has exploded into a global phenomenon, capturing the attention of millions and highlighting the transformative power of art, kindness, and opportunity. This story, which unfolded against the backdrop of Zegler’s own rising career, has not only touched lives but also sparked a worldwide conversation about the importance of giving underrepresented voices a platform.

A Serendipitous Meeting

The journey began in January 2025, when Zegler participated in a charity event in New York City organized by the Entertainment Community Fund, an organization supporting performing arts professionals and aspiring artists. The event, which Zegler attended alongside other Broadway stars like Sutton Foster and Ben Platt, aimed to raise funds for foster youth interested in the arts. It was here that Zegler met 15-year-old Emily Carter, a foster child with a passion for musical theater but limited resources to pursue her dreams.

Emily, who had been in foster care since the age of 8, shared her story with Zegler during a workshop session. She spoke of her love for musicals, inspired by watching Zegler’s performance as Maria in West Side Story on a library computer. Emily revealed that she had written a short musical script titled Finding Home, a semi-autobiographical story about a foster child discovering her voice through song. Moved by Emily’s resilience and creativity, Zegler promised to read the script and offer feedback. “I saw so much of myself in Emily—her love for storytelling, her determination despite the odds,” Zegler later shared in an interview with Vogue. “I knew I had to help her.”

Turning a Dream into Reality

True to her word, Zegler not only read Emily’s script but was deeply inspired by its raw emotion and authenticity. She reached out to her network in the theater community, securing a small team to help produce a one-night-only staged reading of Finding Home. Zegler enlisted the help of director Jamie Lloyd, with whom she had recently worked on her West End production of Evita, and composer Jack Antonoff, who had collaborated with her on the 2024 Broadway revival of Romeo and Juliet. Together, they refined Emily’s script, adding original music while ensuring the story remained true to her vision.

The staged reading took place on March 10, 2025, at the St. James Theatre in New York City—the same venue where Zegler had performed in Trisha Paytas’ Big Broadway Dream just a month earlier. Zegler herself played the role of the foster care counselor, while Emily, despite her initial nervousness, took on the lead role of Lily, the character she had written based on her own experiences. The cast was rounded out by young performers from the Entertainment Community Fund’s youth program, ensuring that the production was a true celebration of emerging talent.

The performance was an emotional triumph. Audience members, including industry professionals and foster care advocates, were brought to tears by the story’s honesty and the undeniable talent on display. A clip of Emily’s solo performance of the song “Home Is Where I Sing,” shared on X by an attendee, quickly went viral, amassing over 20 million views in just 48 hours. The hashtag #FindingHomeMusical began trending globally, with fans praising the project’s authenticity and Zegler’s role in making it happen.

A Global Hit Is Born

What began as a one-night event soon snowballed into a global sensation. Following the viral success of the staged reading, producers from Broadway International Group and Netflix approached Zegler and Emily with offers to adapt Finding Home into a full-scale musical and a filmed production, respectively. By April 2025, the project had secured funding for a Broadway run, with previews scheduled to begin in October 2025 at the Lyceum Theatre. Netflix also greenlit a filmed version, set to stream in early 2026, featuring the original cast and additional songs by Antonoff.

The musical’s story, centered on Lily’s journey to find belonging while navigating the challenges of foster care, resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. Its themes of resilience, identity, and the healing power of art struck a chord, particularly with young people and those who have experienced similar struggles. International theater companies in London, Tokyo, and Sydney have already expressed interest in staging their own productions, with translations of the script underway to ensure accessibility for global audiences.

Emily, now 16, has become an overnight sensation, with fans dubbing her “the next Rachel Zegler.” In a heartfelt post on Instagram, she wrote, “I never thought my story would matter to anyone, let alone the world. Rachel believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She’s my hero.” Zegler, in turn, has been adamant about keeping Emily at the center of the project. “This is Emily’s story, her dream,” Zegler said during a press conference in May 2025. “I’m just here to help amplify her voice.”

Zegler’s Role and the Bigger Impact

Zegler’s involvement in Finding Home has further solidified her reputation as a compassionate advocate for underrepresented voices in the arts. The actress, who herself rose from humble beginnings in New Jersey to global stardom, has consistently used her platform to uplift others. Her recent projects, including her West End debut as Eva Perón in Evita (set to open in June 2025) and her upcoming film She Gets It From Me with Marisa Tomei, demonstrate her versatility, but Finding Home showcases her commitment to social impact.

The success of Finding Home has also sparked broader conversations about the challenges faced by foster youth and the lack of opportunities for young artists from marginalized backgrounds. On X, users have praised Zegler for shining a light on these issues, with one post reading, “Rachel Zegler didn’t just make a foster kid’s dream come true—she showed the world why stories like Emily’s matter. This is what representation looks like.” Others have called for more initiatives to support foster youth in the arts /*#__

The musical’s success has also inspired real-world change. Proceeds from the Broadway production will benefit the Entertainment Community Fund and other foster care organizations, with a portion of ticket sales funding scholarships for young artists in foster care. Zegler and Emily have partnered with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to raise awareness about foster care adoption, using the musical’s platform to advocate for systemic change.

Navigating Challenges Amidst Success

The journey to global success hasn’t been without challenges. Zegler, who has faced significant scrutiny in her career—most notably following the box office disappointment of Disney’s Snow White remake, which grossed just $200 million against a $270 million budget—has had to navigate criticism that her involvement in Finding Home is a publicity stunt to repair her image. Conservative detractors, who previously criticized her for her political statements, including her support for Palestine and comments against Donald Trump, have accused her of “virtue signaling.” However, supporters argue that Zegler’s actions speak louder than words, pointing to her genuine investment in Emily’s dream and the tangible impact of the project.

Emily, too, has had to adjust to sudden fame. With Zegler’s guidance, she’s learning to handle media attention while staying grounded. “Rachel keeps reminding me to focus on the story, not the noise,” Emily shared in an interview with The New York Times. “She’s been through so much herself, so she knows how to keep me strong.”

A Bright Future Ahead

As Finding Home prepares for its Broadway debut, the world is watching Emily Carter and Rachel Zegler with anticipation. For Emily, the musical represents a new chapter—one where she can pursue her passion for theater with the support of mentors like Zegler. She’s already been accepted into a prestigious performing arts program in New York, with plans to continue writing and performing.

For Zegler, Finding Home is a testament to her belief in the power of art to change lives. As she prepares for her role in Evita and continues to rebuild her career post-Snow White, this project has reminded the world of her talent and heart. “Emily’s story isn’t just a hit—it’s a movement,” Zegler said in a recent speech. “It’s proof that when we lift each other up, we can create something truly magical.”

In a year filled with challenges for Zegler, Finding Home has become a beacon of hope, not just for her and Emily, but for millions around the world. It’s a reminder that dreams, no matter how big, can come true—and that sometimes, the greatest hits are the ones that touch the heart.