Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old actress who rose to fame with her breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, is facing a storm of legal and professional challenges that threaten to derail her burgeoning career. On May 20, 2025, news broke that the producers of the West End revival of Evita—where Zegler was set to star as Eva Perón—had filed a lawsuit against her, alleging a breach of contract. The legal battle, coupled with reports of poor ticket sales and prior controversies, has cast a shadow over Zegler’s future in Hollywood and theater. As the drama unfolds, many are left wondering: can Zegler weather this storm, or is her career truly in jeopardy?
The Evita Casting: A Dream Role Amid Controversy
Zegler’s casting in Evita was announced on March 14, 2025, generating buzz among theater fans. The production, directed by acclaimed director Jamie Lloyd, was set to run at the London Palladium from June 14 to September 6, 2025. Zegler, who had previously starred in Broadway’s Romeo + Juliet in 2024, expressed her excitement in a statement: “Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would sing ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ together on my back patio. The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd’s singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honor unlike any other.” Lloyd, known for his innovative takes on classics like Sunset Boulevard, praised Zegler as a “phenomenal talent,” setting high expectations for her West End debut.
However, the production faced challenges from the start. Reports in April 2025 highlighted sluggish ticket sales, with the London Palladium’s 2,286-seat venue showing rows of unsold seats despite tickets starting at £29.50. Some attributed the lack of interest to Zegler’s recent controversies, particularly surrounding her role in Disney’s live-action Snow White remake, which had premiered in March 2025 to poor reviews and a box office loss of over $115 million. Zegler’s outspoken comments—criticizing the original Snow White story, supporting Palestine, and making pointed remarks against Donald Trump and his voters—had already made her a polarizing figure. Critics argued that her “woke” persona might have alienated audiences, impacting Evita’s prospects.
The Lawsuit: Allegations of Contract Breach
The situation escalated dramatically in May 2025 when multiple sources reported that the Evita producers had sued Zegler for an alleged breach of contract. On May 20, a YouTube video titled “Rachel Zegler SUED By Evita Producers – Contract BREACH Revealed!” claimed the lawsuit stemmed from Zegler’s behavior during rehearsals, which reportedly began in late April. Another report on May 23 alleged that the producers were seeking $500,000 in damages, citing “disruptive behavior” that had thrown the production into chaos. While specific details of the breach remain unclear, some sources mentioned unverified claims of Zegler being “escorted out” of rehearsals, fueling speculation about her professionalism.
Zegler responded swiftly, filing a countersuit on May 21, according to a YouTube report titled “Rachel Zegler Files COUNTERSUIT – Says Evita Team SET HER UP!” In her countersuit, Zegler allegedly accused the production team of orchestrating a smear campaign to tarnish her reputation, claiming they had exaggerated or fabricated issues to justify terminating her contract. Her legal team reportedly argued that the producers were using her as a scapegoat for the production’s pre-existing struggles, such as the poor ticket sales. Zegler’s countersuit has added fuel to the fire, turning what might have been a professional hiccup into a full-blown legal war.
The Fallout: Rumors and Industry Impact
The lawsuit has sparked a flurry of rumors, some more outlandish than others. On May 18, a YouTube video claimed Zegler had been “blacklisted” by Hollywood studios following an “Evita meltdown,” though no credible evidence supports this assertion. Other rumors suggested Zegler had been replaced in the production, with social media posts on X claiming a new actress had been brought in to “erase” her from the spotlight. However, as of May 22, Zegler remained the confirmed lead, with her Instagram posts about costume fittings and rehearsals contradicting the replacement narrative. Some speculated that the rumors might have confused an alternate actress, Bella Brown, with a full replacement—a common misunderstanding in theater.
The legal battle has also reignited discussions about Zegler’s earlier controversies. Her role in Snow White had already drawn ire for various reasons: racist backlash over her Colombian-Polish heritage, her comments at the 2022 D23 Expo calling the original film’s romance “outdated,” and her political statements, including an August 2024 post saying “and always, free Palestine” and a November 2024 Instagram rant against Trump and his supporters. These incidents, combined with Snow White’s financial failure, have led some to label Zegler as “box office poison.” The Evita lawsuit has only amplified these criticisms, with detractors arguing that her behavior reflects a lack of professionalism that could harm her career long-term.
Supporters Rally: A Chance for Redemption?
Despite the backlash, Zegler retains a loyal fanbase and industry allies who argue that she’s being unfairly targeted. Supporters point to her undeniable talent—her Golden Globe-winning performance in West Side Story, her vocal prowess in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and her Broadway success in Romeo + Juliet—as evidence of her potential for a comeback. Fans on social media platforms like Reddit have expressed excitement for her Evita role, with one user on r/popculturechat stating, “I love her and I know she’ll rock it. Haters gonna hate, but you can’t and shouldn’t give them too much attention.” Others have noted that Zegler, still early in her career, has time to recover, especially if Evita succeeds despite its rocky start.
Industry figures have also come to her defense. Helen Mirren, who supported Zegler after the Snow White backlash, has reportedly encouraged her to stay focused on her craft. The theater world, known for its high stakes and intense scrutiny, has seen similar controversies before—actresses like Melissa Barrera and Halle Bailey have faced backlash for their political views or casting choices but have continued to find work. Zegler’s youth (she turned 24 on May 3, 2025) and her proven track record suggest she has the resilience to bounce back, provided she can navigate the current crisis.
What’s Next for Rachel Zegler?
As of May 26, 2025, the Evita production’s future remains uncertain. With the show set to open in just over two weeks, the legal dispute could either force a last-minute casting change or proceed with Zegler in the role, depending on the outcome of the lawsuits. If Zegler remains in the production and delivers a stellar performance, it could be the redemption arc she needs to silence her critics. A successful run might even pave the way for a Broadway transfer, as some fans hope, following the path of Jamie Lloyd’s Sunset Boulevard.
However, the stakes are high. A flop—whether due to her exit, poor reviews, or continued low ticket sales—could further damage Zegler’s reputation, making studios and producers hesitant to cast her in future projects. Her next move after Evita remains unannounced, but it will be a critical factor in determining whether she can overcome this tumultuous period. The industry’s history of comebacks suggests that Zegler has a fighting chance, but she’ll need to tread carefully, balancing her outspoken nature with the professionalism expected of a leading lady.
A Career at a Crossroads
Rachel Zegler’s journey from a high school theater kid to a Hollywood star has been nothing short of remarkable, but the Evita lawsuit marks a pivotal moment in her career. The legal battle, combined with her prior controversies, has placed her at a crossroads: she can either rise above the challenges, proving her detractors wrong with a triumphant performance, or risk fading into obscurity as Hollywood moves on to the next big thing. For now, all eyes are on Zegler and the London Palladium, waiting to see if she can channel Eva Perón’s resilience and charisma to save not just the show, but her career as well.
