Rachel Zegler is having the year of her life, after starring in her breakout role as Maria in the critically acclaimed West Side Story. She dazzled at the BAFTAS, and has now been cast as Snow White in Disney’s new live-action film. But now things have taken a not-so-great turn, after Rachel revealed she has not been invited to the Oscars—despite West Side Story’s whopping seven nominations.
To name just a few, West Side Story has been nominated for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Director—yet the film's leading lady has not been invited to the ceremony.
Zegler revealed the news to a fan who commented on the latest selfie of her dreamy blue BAFTA’s gown. They wrote: “Can’t wait to see what you’ll be wearing on Oscar night.”
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The actress responded saying: “I'm not invited so sweatpants and my boyfriend's flannel.”
Fans flooded her comments, outraged by the news. One wrote: “girl how? 😭 what a joke!!"
Another said: “I’m so very sorry you are not going, Rachel. It just does not seem right the Star of a 7-time Oscar-nominated film and who is an integral part of the movie is not invited.”
A third fan made an interesting point: “So then who is invited???? i mean everyone in the cast is important but wtf is this.”
Zegler replied again: "idk y’all I have tried it all but it doesn’t seem to be happening :’) I will root for west side story from my couch and be proud of the work we so tirelessly did 3 years ago. I hope some last-minute miracle occurs and I can celebrate our film in person but hey, that’s how it goes sometimes, I guess. thanks for all the shock and outrage— I’m disappointed, too. but that’s okay. so proud of our movie. ❤️".
Last year's Award's show saw an historic amount of female directors nominated for their films, so it is a shame to see such an important leading actress seemingly missed off the guest list in the following year.
Fan also expressed their anger and confusion on Twitter: “Rachel Ziegler being the *lead* in a film that has seven Oscar nominations yet not being invited to the ceremony… make it make sense”.
rachel zegler being the *lead* in a film that has seven oscar nominations yet not being invited to the ceremony… make it make senseMarch 20, 2022
Another tweeted: “hold up hold up. you’re telling me that @rachelzegler the lead actress of a best picture nominee with 7 nominations is NOT invited to your ceremony @TheAcademy?? Who are you inviting then? (not to mention one of the only Latinas to be celebrated this year)” .
hold up hold up. you’re telling me that @rachelzegler the lead actress of a best picture nominee with 7 nominations is NOT invited to your ceremony @TheAcademy?? Who are you inviting then? (not to mention one of the only latinas to be celebrated this year)March 20, 2022
Addressing all her Twitter support, Zegler tweeted: “my goodness, folks!! appreciate all the support, I really really do. we live in such unprecedented times, and a lot of work behind the scenes goes into making movie magic happen. that goes for film productions (like the one I am so lucky to be currently shooting in London)...and awards shows alike. let’s all just respect the process and I’ll get off my phone x R.”
my goodness, folks!! appreciate all the support, i really really do. we live in such unprecedented times, and a lot of work behind the scenes goes into making movie magic happen. that goes for film productions (like the one I am so lucky to be currently shooting in london)…March 20, 2022
Let’s hope her invite is now being posted as we speak…
