Rachel Zegler has made her long-awaited West End debut, but one particular moment has starkly divided fans.
The Snow White star, 24, is currently starring as Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd’s new production of Evita at the London Palladium.
The hit stage show is based on the real life of the Argentine political leader Eva, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón.
One of the most iconic scenes of the show is when Eva sings Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, addressing the crowds from the balcony of the Casa Rosada and expressing her love for her country.
In Lloyd’s retelling of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s show, Zegler reportedly performs the ballad on a balcony outside the Palladium, while theatregoers inside, who have paid up to £275 per ticket, watch the performance on a screen.
Footage has emerged of the Hunger Games actress belting out the tune in full balcony costume, including a slicked-back blonde wig and flowing white gown.
It has caused uproar among some attendees, who have expressed how ‘disappointed’ they would be after paying to see the show, only to not actually see one of Evita’s pivotal scenes in the flesh.
‘I’m seeing it on Thursday and I’m excited but the fact singing this outside while everyone inside theatre have to see it on screen kinda of a rip off for our money while people who haven’t got a ticket can see it outside FOR FREE,’ Marcusgomezz26 wrote on Instagram.
Theatrewithmaila agreed, adding: ‘So excited to see her, but not sure how I feel about paying £££ and one of the most iconic songs performed isnt even on stage.’
On TikTok, Andrewbrighton54 wrote: ‘As incredible as this is, this is an iconic song. If I have paid a lot of money to see Evita, I do find it a bit odd that you see this song on a screen. I could stand in the street and watch it free of charge, if you get the timing right.’
Tristan blasted: ‘Let me see if I’ve got this right? We argue that nothing beats seeing a show live and charge a massive premium for the experience. So I pay to go and see a show performed live and then you go and take the actress outside for the most renowned song of the piece so I get a cinema style experience?’
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Others said they were ‘very unimpressed’ and ‘fuming’ by the decision, arguing that Zegler wouldn’t receive ‘her biggest applause’ from the audience because of it.
Some fans, however, pointed out how apt the decision was for the show due to its themes.
Miss Sophie Rose explained: ‘I don’t know the exact staging but the cool thing with this song being the only one outside (aside from the obvious singing to the “poor folk”) is that if someone’s passing by and doesn’t know the story of Evita they are only hearing an “underdog” and someone that sounds admirable instead of knowing the actual story of Evita and the things that happened in the past and in the background which was exactly the intention with this speech.’
Pebbles The Rabbit added: ‘Genius promo. You watch it as a “peasant” on the street and then go and see it as a rich person. People saying “I’d be fuming” as if they couldn’t go and see it the other 364 days of the year on the street – if anything it’s making it MORE accessible.’
Alec continued: ‘I really don’t get why people are mad. You pay to see a modernist production this is what you get! Classism nuances and multimedia. Theatre has been using multimedia for years now, it’s a highly interesting technique. This is what Lloyd does 😭🙏.’
Zegler is no stranger to controversy after being hit by backlash numerous times during the promotional run of Disney’s live action Snow White, including criticism over its CGI dwarves and comments she made about the original story.
A post she wrote on X in support of Palestine sparked controversy, with critics fiercely defending the star after alleged details of her treatment behind the scenes were reported by Variety.
Evita runs at London Palladium from June 14 until September 6, with Diego Andres Rodriguez as Che, James Olivas as Juan Perón, Aaron Lee Lambert as Agustin Magaldi, and Bella Brown as The Mistress.
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