Rachel Zegler was forced to leave the stage on Thursday night.
The 24-year-old actress, currently headlining “Evita” at the London Palladium on the West End, unexpectedly exited the evening show due to illness.
People reported that her departure was officially announced during the intermission.
Rachel Zegler performing in “Evita.”
Rachel Zegler’s understudy, Bella Brown, stepped in during the second act, opening with the iconic number “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.”
The audience embraced the sudden change, rewarding Brown with a nearly five-minute standing ovation for her performance.
Brown and the rest of the cast took 10 bows at the curtain call.
“Today really showed just how important swings and covers are within this industry,” Brown shared on her Instagram Stories. “They are the pillars of a show! A proud day to be at ‘Evita.’”
In a follow-up post, she added, “What a lucky audience getting to see both me and MY ANGEL REG ZEG!!”
The Post has reached out to Zegler’s representative for comment.
Zegler stars as Argentina’s former first lady, Eva Perón, in the musical, which first premiered in 1978 with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice.
On Thursday, Zegler completed the matinee performance but exited midway through the evening show. It remains unclear whether she will return to the stage on Friday.
The actress and singer is slated to lead “Evita” through Sept. 6, with the production having opened in June.
At the show’s opening, Zegler took to Instagram to express her excitement about the role.
“I couldn’t be luckier,” she wrote in a heartfelt message. “I have such a deep love for everyone who has touched this production. I never thought I would get to live my dream this way. Surrounded by the most amazing people. I feel so held.”
Back in March, Zegler shared with Deadline that starring in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Evita had long been a dream of hers.
“Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would sing ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ together on my back patio,” she said. “The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd’s singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honor unlike any other. The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can’t wait to make my West End debut in such great company.”
However, after opening night, Zegler faced criticism from some reviewers.
In the show, she performs “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” from a balcony overlooking the street outside the theater.
Audience members who paid for tickets found themselves watching the show’s biggest song via livestream on a screen from their seats.
“I’m excited to see her, but not sure how I feel about paying that much to watch the most iconic moment on a screen,” one viewer wrote on X.
Another social media user called the decision “a bit of a rip off” and criticized the production.
“Sorry, are you saying I’ve paid that much for 2 tickets and she’s singing the biggest number outside for people who haven’t paid?” another added.
However, not everyone was displeased by the approach. Some argued that it allowed those who couldn’t afford a West End ticket to still experience the performance.
Rachel Zegler delivers a powerful rendition of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.”
“One follower praised the concept on X, calling it an ‘absolutely stunning idea and a beautiful symbol.’ They added, ‘While the wealthy watch from inside the theatre via screen, Evita stands on the balcony addressing those who can’t afford to attend or are living on the streets of London. The whole staging of the song is truly incredible—emotional and meaningful. I’m here for it!’
Meanwhile, Zegler has also found romance offstage.
Earlier this month, the Spellbound star was seen sharing a kiss with backup dancer Nathan Louis-Fernand in Hyde Park.”
On July 6, the couple was spotted holding hands at a Sabrina Carpenter concert.
Nathan Louis-Fernand, a professional dancer, previously performed in Magic Mike Live in London and shared his excitement about the experience in a May Instagram post.
“When I was Mike a.k.a. Miguel,” Louis-Fernand captioned a clip from the show.
Zegler playfully responded, “You posting this on your birthday is such jokes,” to which he replied, “@rachelzegler they just happened to fall on the same day 🤷🏾♂️ a happy accident if you will 😂😂.”
The West Side Story alum previously dated her Hunger Games co-star Josh Andrés Rivera. The pair quietly parted ways “late last year,” according to Us Weekly.
Zegler’s current role comes amid a turbulent year, marked by significant backlash during the promotion of Disney’s live-action Snow White
Rachel Zegler seen out with Nathan Louis-Fernand.
Rachel Zegler and the cast celebrate at the “Evita” press night after-party.
Zegler, who starred as the title character, launched a rant criticizing those who voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 election. She also called the original 1937 movie “dated.”
In response, Jonah Platt, son of Disney producer Marc Platt, publicly condemned Zegler’s comments as “immature.”
Additionally, she and her co-star Gal Gadot reportedly clashed over their opposing views on the Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza.
The film ultimately flopped at the box office, suffering an estimated loss of $115 million.
