History of Rachel Zegler in Timeline

Rachel Zegler is an American actress and singer who rose to prominence for her role as María in Steven Spielberg's 2021 film adaptation of West Side Story. Her performance garnered critical acclaim, earning her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Zegler's success in West Side Story has solidified her position as a rising star in the entertainment industry.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1937: Original Snow White Animated Film

In 1937, the original animated Disney film Snow White was released, which served as the basis for the live-action adaptation in which Rachel Zegler starred.

May 3, 2001: Rachel Zegler's Birth

On May 3, 2001, Rachel Anne Zegler was born. She is an American actress and singer.

Others born on this day/year

July 2015: YouTube Channel Launch

In July 2015, Rachel Zegler's YouTube channel became active and started garnering media coverage.

2016: Starred as Belle in Beauty and the Beast

In 2016, Rachel Zegler starred as Belle in Beauty and the Beast at Immaculate Conception High School, receiving a Metropolitan High School Theater Award nomination for Actress in a Leading Role.

2017: Played Maria in West Side Story

In 2017, Rachel Zegler had previously performed the role of Maria in West Side Story at the Bergen Performing Arts Center.

2017: Starred as Ariel in The Little Mermaid

In 2017, Rachel Zegler starred as Ariel in The Little Mermaid at Immaculate Conception High School, receiving a Metropolitan High School Theater Award nomination for Actress in a Leading Role.

January 2018: Open Casting Call for West Side Story

In January 2018, Steven Spielberg posted an open casting call for a new film adaptation of West Side Story, leading Rachel Zegler to respond with audition videos.

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2018: Starred as Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street

In 2018, Rachel Zegler starred as Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street at Immaculate Conception High School, receiving a Metropolitan High School Theater Award nomination for Actress in a Leading Role.

June 2, 2019: High School Graduation

On June 2, 2019, Rachel Zegler graduated from Immaculate Conception High School as salutatorian.

February 2021: Relationship with Josh Andrés Rivera

In February 2021, Rachel Zegler and actor Josh Andrés Rivera confirmed that they were dating after meeting on the set of West Side Story.

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December 2021: Release of West Side Story Film

In December 2021, the film adaptation of West Side Story, starring Rachel Zegler, was released and received acclaim from critics and audiences.

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2021: Gift from Barbra Streisand

In 2021, Barbra Streisand sent Rachel Zegler a copy of her album Release Me 2 and a copy of the book Streisand From A to Z, along with a note reading, "For R., from B."

The Essential Barbra Streisand Piano, Vocal and Guitar Chords

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2021: Recognition for West Side Story

In 2021, Rachel Zegler gained recognition for her performance as María in Steven Spielberg's film adaptation of the musical West Side Story, earning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

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2021: Recognition as a Top Young Actor

In 2021, Rachel Zegler was listed at number 34 on The Ringer's The Big Picture podcast's list of the top 35 actors under 35 and was named as one of the Breakthrough Entertainers of 2021 by AP Entertainment.

2021: Public Support for Gaza

Since 2021, Rachel Zegler has publicly supported Gaza in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

January 2022: Online Backlash and Apology

In January 2022, Rachel Zegler garnered online backlash for a since-deleted video in which she gave a dramatic reading of Britney Spears's Twitter messages online to her sister, Jamie Lynn Spears, and later issued an apology.

2022: Forbes 30 Under 30

In 2022, Rachel Zegler was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

2022: Academy Awards Invitation

In 2022, after initial exclusion and media comment, Rachel Zegler was invited to be a presenter at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony, where West Side Story received seven nominations.

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August 2023: YouTube Channel Inactivity

Rachel Zegler's YouTube channel was active from July 2015 to August 2023 and garnered media coverage.

October 2023: Joining Artists4Ceasefire

In October 2023, Rachel Zegler joined Artists4Ceasefire and signed a letter urging Joe Biden to call for a ceasefire during the war in Gaza.

2023: Departure from Paddington in Peru and Role in Y2K

In 2023, Rachel Zegler announced her exit from Paddington in Peru, attributing it to the SAG strike. She also played Laura in the film Y2K.

2023: Roles in Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Hunger Games

In 2023, Rachel Zegler portrayed Anthea in the superhero action film Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Lucy Gray Baird in the teen dystopian drama The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.

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January 2024: Encouraging Followers for Ceasefire Pressure

In January 2024, Rachel Zegler encouraged her followers on Instagram to pressure government leaders for a ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

August 2024: Tweeting "Free Palestine"

In August 2024, Rachel Zegler tweeted, "and always remember, Free Palestine," leading to concerns about death threats to her co-star Gal Gadot and additional security measures.

September 26, 2024: Broadway Debut in Romeo and Juliet

On September 26, 2024, Rachel Zegler made her Broadway debut playing Juliet in a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo and Juliet (Folger Shakespeare Library)

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November 2024: Criticism of Donald Trump and Apology

In November 2024, Rachel Zegler criticized Donald Trump and his supporters, accusing Trump of "threaten[ing] our democracy" and later apologized for "contribut[ing] to the negative discourse".

2024: Broadway Debut in Romeo and Juliet

In 2024, Rachel Zegler made her Broadway debut playing Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo and Juliet (Folger Shakespeare Library)

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2024: End of Relationship with Josh Andrés Rivera

In 2024, Rachel Zegler's relationship with Josh Andrés Rivera ended.

2024: Y2K Debut at South by Southwest Festival and Release

In 2024, the film Y2K, in which Rachel Zegler played Laura, debuted at the South by Southwest Festival and was released on December 6 to a mixed reception.

February 16, 2025: End of Romeo and Juliet Run

On February 16, 2025, Rachel Zegler's run as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet on Broadway concluded.

Romeo and Juliet (Folger Shakespeare Library)

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October 2025: West End Concerts at the London Palladium

In October 2025, Rachel Zegler headlined two concerts at the London Palladium, alongside special guests Ramin Karimloo and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

2025: Relationship with Nathan Louis-Fernand

In 2025, Rachel Zegler dated her Evita co-star, Nathan Louis-Fernand.

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2025: Upcoming Role in Snow White

In 2025, Rachel Zegler is set to play the titular character in the musical fantasy Snow White.

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2025: West End Debut and Laurence Olivier Award

In 2025, Rachel Zegler made her West End debut as the titular character in the musical Evita, for which she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

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March 2026: The Last Five Years Concert Production

In March 2026, Rachel Zegler played Cathy Hiatt for a one-week engagement in a concert production of The Last Five Years opposite Ben Platt at the London Palladium.

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