Rachel Zegler

Early Life

Rachel Anne Zegler was born on May 3, 2001, in Hackensack, New Jersey, to Gina and Craig Zegler. Growing up in Clifton, New Jersey, she was influenced by her Colombian heritage through her mother, who was born to Colombian immigrants. Zegler developed a passion for theater at a young age, inspired by her first Broadway show, "Beauty and the Beast," at just four years old. She began her acting journey at 12, performing in productions like "Fiddler on the Roof" and later starred in various high school musicals, earning nominations for the Metropolitan High School Theater Awards.

Career

Zegler's breakthrough came when she was cast as María in Steven Spielberg's film adaptation of "West Side Story," selected from over 30,000 applicants. The film, released in December 2021, garnered critical acclaim, and Zegler won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, making her the youngest and the first actress of Colombian descent to win in that category. Following this success, she appeared in the superhero film "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" and starred as Lucy Gray Baird in the prequel to "The Hunger Games," showcasing her versatility as an actress and singer.

Personal Life and Views

Outside of her professional achievements, Zegler has been open about her struggles with anxiety and her experiences with racial discrimination due to her Hispanic heritage. She has been politically active, supporting Palestine and advocating for a ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Zegler has also expressed her admiration for Barbra Streisand, who has influenced her artistic journey. In her personal life, she has been in relationships with fellow actors, including Josh Andrés Rivera, whom she met on the set of "West Side Story."