Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old actress who rose to prominence with her Golden Globe-winning role in West Side Story and later starred in Disney’s live-action Snow White, is reportedly facing a significant setback with her upcoming West End debut in Evita at the London Palladium. Scheduled to run from June 14 to September 6, 2025, the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical has been touted as a major opportunity for Zegler to showcase her vocal and dramatic talents as Eva Perón. However, recent reports from sources like the Daily Mail and YouTube channels claim that ticket sales for the 2,286-seat venue are struggling, with large swaths of seats remaining unsold just weeks before previews begin. These reports have fueled narratives of a “humiliating failure” for Zegler, attributing the lackluster sales to her controversial public image following the Snow White debacle. This article examines the ticket sales situation, the broader context of Zegler’s career, and the factors contributing to the challenges she faces.
The Ticket Sales Narrative: Fact or Exaggeration?
The claim that Evita is a “flop” before it opens stems primarily from a Daily Mail article published on April 10, 2025, which highlighted that the London Palladium’s ticketing website showed significant availability for performances in June, July, August, and September, with tickets starting at £29.50. The article suggested that the lack of sellouts in the 2,286-seat venue signals a “concerning lack of interest” in Zegler’s star power. This narrative was amplified by YouTube videos posted between April 23 and May 8, 2025, with titles like “Rachel Zegler HUMILIATED as New London Play FLOPS” and “Rachel Zegler’s Career Is COLLAPSING in Real Time,” which claimed that “empty seats” and “crashing ticket sales” reflect her diminishing appeal.
However, these claims require scrutiny. Deadline reported on March 14, 2025, that nearly $4 million in tickets had already been sold before Zegler’s casting was officially announced, suggesting strong initial interest driven by the Evita brand and director Jamie Lloyd’s reputation. The London Palladium’s intimate configuration, despite its 2,200-plus seats, is known for attracting theatergoers, and the production still has weeks to build momentum before its June 14 preview. Reddit discussions on r/WestEndTheatre have questioned the “flop” narrative, noting that ticket sales for summer runs often ramp up closer to the opening, especially for star-driven shows. The Daily Mail’s snapshot of availability may not reflect the full sales trajectory, and YouTube videos lack verifiable data beyond anecdotal website checks.
The Snow White Backlash: A Lingering Shadow
The ticket sales narrative is inseparable from Zegler’s recent controversies, particularly the poor performance of Disney’s Snow White, released on March 21, 2025. The film, which cost $270 million to produce, grossed only $85 million domestically and $194.5 million globally, making it one of Disney’s biggest box office disappointments. Zegler faced intense scrutiny for her 2022 comments calling the 1937 animated original “extremely dated” and its prince “stalker-like,” which some fans viewed as disrespectful. Her casting as a Latina Snow White drew racist backlash, and her pro-Palestine activism, including a “Free Palestine” tweet, reportedly strained her relationship with Disney and co-star Gal Gadot, an advocate for Israel. Vanity Fair reported that Disney insiders blamed Zegler’s political comments and outspokenness for the film’s $115 million loss, with producer Marc Platt’s son Jonah publicly criticizing her “immature” behavior.
This backlash has followed Zegler to Evita. X posts, such as one from @Draculordx on May 7, 2025, claimed that her team blames “online criticism” for the play’s ticket sales struggles, suggesting that her polarizing image is deterring audiences. YouTube channels have leaned into this narrative, framing Evita’s reported struggles as evidence that Zegler is “Hollywood’s favorite punchline” or an “industry pariah.” However, these sources often lack primary evidence, relying on speculation and recycled Snow White controversies to fuel clicks. The Daily Mail noted Zegler’s “strong political opinions” as a factor in her career challenges, but no direct link to Evita ticket sales is substantiated.
Zegler’s Career: Resilience Amid Challenges
Despite the negative press, Zegler’s career is far from collapsing. Her Broadway debut as Juliet in Romeo + Juliet (September 2024–February 2025) was a critical and commercial success, recouping its $7 million investment and attracting young audiences, as noted by Broadway World. Her performance in Snow White, though overshadowed by the film’s failure, earned praise from critics, with some calling her a “shining supernova.” She voiced the lead in Netflix’s Spellbound (2024) and starred as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), both of which showcased her versatility. Her upcoming role in A24’s Y2K (December 2024) and a comedy-drama with Marisa Tomei, She Gets It From Me, signal continued industry interest.
Evita itself is a significant opportunity. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, known for bold reinterpretations, the production features a strong cast, including Diego Andres Rodriguez as Che and James Olivas as Juan Perón. Lloyd praised Zegler’s “phenomenal talent,” predicting she will “blow the roof off the London Palladium.” Zegler told Deadline that playing Eva Perón is a “dream role,” reflecting her personal connection to the musical. The show’s iconic score, including “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” and its 12-week limited run position it as a prestige project, not a guaranteed commercial blockbuster. The reported $4 million in pre-sales suggests a solid foundation, even if sales have not yet reached sellout levels.
The Role of Clickbait and Misinformation
The “humiliating failure” narrative is amplified by a clickbait ecosystem that thrives on Zegler’s polarizing status. YouTube videos posted between April 23 and May 8, 2025, use sensational titles like “Rachel Zegler’s NEW London Play Completely BOMBS” to drive engagement, often lacking primary sources beyond the Daily Mail article. These videos repurpose Snow White backlash and unrelated incidents, such as Zegler’s somber April 2025 New York City appearance, to paint her as “miserable” or “deflated.” X posts, like @scottrlevine’s on May 6, 2025, echo these claims, but Reddit users on r/Theater have criticized them as “grift nonsense,” noting that ticket sales data is often misrepresented to fit anti-Zegler narratives.
This pattern mirrors earlier 2025 rumors, such as false claims that Zegler demanded bans on South Park or The Simpsons episodes mocking Snow White. These stories, debunked by The Hollywood Reporter and Reddit, relied on speculative YouTube content and X posts without evidence. The Evita ticket sales story follows a similar playbook, exaggerating a partial truth (current availability) into a narrative of “empty seats everywhere.” The Daily Mail’s reporting, while more grounded, lacks context about typical West End sales cycles, and its focus on Zegler’s controversies invites speculation over substance.
Broader Context: Industry and Cultural Dynamics
Zegler’s challenges reflect broader issues in Hollywood and theater. Young actresses from underrepresented backgrounds, like Zegler and Halle Bailey, often face disproportionate scrutiny, as noted by film critic Kelechi Ehenulo in a BBC interview. Zegler’s Latina heritage and outspokenness on issues like Palestine and colorism have made her a “culture war” target, with conservative outlets and X users labeling her “Snow Woke.” Vanity Fair argued that Disney’s attempt to scapegoat Zegler for Snow White’s failure has backfired, with fans and journalists, including over 50 who signed an open letter to Variety, defending her integrity.
The West End, meanwhile, is a competitive market, and even high-profile shows can face slow initial sales. Reddit’s r/WestEndTheatre noted that Evita’s ticket prices (£29.50–£150) are standard, and the Palladium’s size requires sustained marketing. The Snow White backlash may deter some audiences, but Zegler’s vocal fanbase, evident in X posts praising her Romeo + Juliet performance, could drive last-minute sales. The production’s critical reception and Zegler’s performance will likely shape its ultimate success more than pre-opening narratives.
Conclusion: A Premature Narrative of Failure
The claim that Rachel Zegler faces a “humiliating failure” with Evita is premature and overstated, driven by clickbait and selective reporting. While ticket sales for the London Palladium run appear slower than expected, with significant availability reported by the Daily Mail, the production’s $4 million in pre-sales and weeks until previews suggest it is not a “flop.” Zegler’s Snow White controversies have undeniably cast a shadow, with her polarizing image amplified by YouTube videos and X posts. Yet, her talent, evidenced by critical praise and a robust career, and the prestige of Evita under Jamie Lloyd’s direction, position her for a potential comeback. The narrative of failure reflects a broader pattern of targeting young, outspoken actresses, but Zegler’s resilience and fan support suggest she can still captivate the West End. As the curtain rises, her performance, not clickbait, will tell the real story.
