Don’t cry for Disney’s woke Snow White – she’s a sensation as Eva Peron in this unlikely Evita revival: JAN MOIR

On Saturday evening, Rachel Zegler took her first step onto the West End stage, playing the role of Evita in an innovative, sparkling, and raw adaptation of the beloved musical, which included some contemporary dance moves like twerking.

The performance began by featuring the 24-year-old lead confidently walking through the stage dressed in a bra, boots, and hot pants. It concluded with her adorned in diamonds, wearing a blonde Evita wig, and gracefully sinking into a tulle ballgown as she took her bows while the crowd erupted in applause.

Overwhelmed by the standing ovation and deafening cheers echoing through the Palladium, Zegler fought back tears as she allowed for a brief, private victory, lifting her arms high and tightly clenching her fists in triumph.

‘I’ve done it!’ the gesture seemed to say. ‘Take that, all you haters.’

The young woman’s reaction was strikingly similar to Evita’s, a controversial figure much like Eva Peron. She is both admired and criticized extensively, a rising talent in the spotlight. Perhaps she aspires that her radiant persona, reminiscent of Evita, can overshadow the controversy that arose from her portrayal of Snow White in Disney’s problematic reimagining of their classic cartoon story. Oh, what a spectacle, oh what a performance it has been!

Following her role as the Disney princess, Zegler faced malicious racial slurs online concerning her Colombian ancestry. To add fuel to the fire, her comments regarding the initial Disney character’s portrayal and her vocal backing of controversial topics only escalated the situation further.

Initially, she found the prince’s fascination with Snow White to be quite peculiar. Moreover, let me make this clear: she wasn’t particularly fond of the newly elected American president either. After the recent U.S. elections, she expressed her feelings in a post that read, “May Trump Supporters, Trump Voters, and Trump himself never know peace.

How would you describe her? The American-bred Zegler is a vocal Generation Z celebrity, often expressing her opinions on social media platforms. Her statements generally reflect her strong stance as a feminist, her disdain for former President Donald Trump, and her advocacy for the Palestinian cause.

It’s completely acceptable for her to have her own views, but when Disney chose her as Snow White, they didn’t anticipate a leading lady who would critique the original cartoon as an outdated expression of sexism and oppression. Furthermore, by expressing strong political stances that some viewers may find off-putting or divisive, she has potentially lost the support of half of Disney’s audience.

Off-camera, there were quiet reprimands followed by open apologies from Zegler, leading to significant negative press. The lavishly budgeted Snow White film, costing approximately £200 million, underperformed at the box office, earning a worldwide total of only slightly over £150 million.

While Zegler’s enthusiastic nature may have contributed to some extent, it’s unfair to solely attribute the issues to her outspokenness. Factors such as the overly-political atmosphere, the unappealing CGI characters, and the lack of humor also played significant roles in the outcome.

Leading up to her return to the stage, especially her West End debut in Britain, Zegler has been quite cautious. On Saturday, she shared an adorable picture of herself on Instagram, wearing a pink tutu and ballet shoes. In a sweet caption beneath, she wrote, “Tonight’s my first performance on the West End!

In an intimate chat for Vogue, I found myself captivated as Rachel revealed her meticulous dedication to her Public Relations course, specifically focusing on the art of staying poised and tactful amidst public scrutiny – a skill aptly named “Publicity Awareness Damage Limitation Just Shut The Hell Up.

She responded thoughtfully when asked about Snow White. “It was an immense amount of rewarding effort,” she said. “I take great pride in the work put into it, and I’m particularly gratified by how my performance was received because it was a role I felt very passionate about, just as I do with all my projects.

Originating from New Jersey, Zegler rose to prominence when director Stephen Spielberg chose her for the 2021 remake of West Side Story. At that time, she was largely unrecognized, having been selected from a pool of 30,000 aspirants to play Maria in a role that garnered critical acclaim and contributed to a successful film.

Spielberg praised her as an exceptional singer and actor, and indeed, she delivers a captivating act in the remarkable staging of Evita, skillfully led by young prodigy Jamie Lloyd in the director’s chair.

On the expansive Palladium stage, Zegler appears petite, a minuscule figure in her sequins and shorts. Her interactions with Juan Peron (James Olivas), towering like a giant beefcake, seem more like a child bidding farewell to dad before dance class rather than planning the political rise of a president.

As a devoted admirer, I’ve been granted the privilege to delve into the lavish feast of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s melodious creations. And oh, what a spectacle it is when lyric soprano Zegler demonstrates her extraordinary talents.

Director Lloyd is recognized for his preference for outdoor settings, and there’s an intriguing stage setup following the intermission, where Zegler sings “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,” the musical’s iconic number. She performs this emotional ballad on the balcony of the Palladium theater, which is located in central London’s Argyll Street, leaving passersby outside puzzled and amused.

The video recording of this event is displayed on a screen for the audience, but not always clearly. On Saturday evening, there was a man blocking the street camera’s view, and as a result, our sight of Rachel passionately singing was frequently obstructed by his large head.

If Lloyd isn’t trying to emphasize that Eva sang for the poor, shirtless Argentinians who admired her, it’s not clear why he would mention this detail.

Although it might seem like a fantastic spectacle for the general public, it undoubtedly takes away the powerful impact of this significant moment from those who paid to attend – wasn’t there a sense of disappointment among those in the £190 seats in the royal circle? I must admit, I couldn’t help but wish that Zegler’s portrayal of Eva had re-entered the auditorium, continuing her boisterous narration about her turbulent past and chaotic life. It would have created an electrifying atmosphere, truly making the roof tremble.

Despite my initial reservations, I must admit that this captivating reboot, under the skillful direction of Jamie Lloyd, has managed to do something remarkable – it’s made Andrew Lloyd Webber seem trendy once more.

1) Lloyd’s remake of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, performed by Nicole Scherzinger, has won a Tony Award, and with Zegler joining the cast for Evita, a Broadway transfer and additional accolades appear imminent. Incidentally, she truly deserves all these honors and more.

1) Nicole Scherzinger’s performance in Lloyd’s revamp of Sunset Boulevard earned a Tony Award, with Zegler joining the cast for Evita, suggesting that a Broadway transfer and further recognition lie ahead. Frankly, she’s worthy of every bit of praise and more.

Starting from Maria and moving on to the modernized Snow White, as well as Evita, Zegler has made a remarkable journey in a short span of time. At a young age, she’s been inspired by Elaine Paige, who first played the role in London back in 1978. As Dame Paige put it, ‘The show transformed my life in an instant.’

In the world of theater, the following year saw Patti LuPone gracing the stage on Broadway with her exceptional talent, ultimately earning a well-deserved Tony Award for her performance. However, it’s worth noting that neither Elaine Paige nor Patti LuPone were particularly enthused when Madonna stepped into the role of Evita in the 1996 film adaptation. As a lifestyle expert, I always encourage respecting the artistic journey and the unique contributions each performer brings to a role.

‘Madonna gives a lifeless performance in movies,’ exclaimed Patti angrily. ‘Her acting is quite convincing as a corpse,’ was the sarcastic comment from Elaine regarding Madonna’s acting skills.

Why are there so many bold Evitas making waves? Despite Rachel Zegler’s errors in reaching this renowned part, she’s far from needing sympathy. She’s captivating audiences instead.

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2025-06-16 03:34