“Snow White” star Rachel Zegler has sparked controversy yet again, this time with her West End stage debut.
The actress, 24, stars as Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd’s new production of “Evita” at the London Palladium in the UK.
She is playing former First Lady of Argentina in the show, which debuted in 1978 and was written by Tim Rice and musical legend Andrew Lloyd Webber.
While she’s receiving rave reviews for her turn in the show, one aspect has sparked fierce criticism from some paying fans.
In a surprising move, she performs the musical’s most famous number, “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,” from a balcony overlooking the street outside the venue.
Paying fans inside the Palladium are forced to watch a live stream of the performance on a screen from their seats.
The decision has sparked controversy among some West End fans who have spent up to $500 on tickets to the show only to not get to see its most famous song performed in person.
“I’m excited to see her, but not sure how I feel about paying that much to watch the most iconic moment on a screen,” wrote one viewer on X.
Another described it as “a bit of a rip off” and slammed production for moving the performance outside.
“Sorry, are you saying I’ve paid that much for 2 tickets and she’s singing the biggest number outside at people who haven’t paid?” an angry fan commented.
“I think you might potentially be a bit gutted [if you were inside the theatre]. I know they had it on the projectors, but you might be a bit gutted to have missed the most important song,” insisted another.
However, others have praised the move, saying that it helps to benefit those who would normally never be able to afford to see a West End show.
“Absolutely stunning idea and a beautiful symbol – while the rich sit inside the theatre watching from the screen, Evita is outside on the balcony of the theatre addressing all those who can’t afford to go to the theatre and/or are living on the streets of London,” said one fan on X. “The whole idea of staging the song this way is truly incredible. Emotional. It says a lot, and I am here for it!”
“Singing to the people on the street while the people who bought tickets have to watch through a screen is genuinely amazing directing,” remarked another. “So badly wish I could see this.”
Zegler’s latest controversy comes after the widespread backlash she faced in recent months while promoting Disney’s epic live-action flop, Snow White.
She was slammed as “immature” by Disney producer Marc Platt’s son Jonah Platt in an explosive rant after the film flopped at the box office.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
