'West Side Story' star Rachel Zegler not invited to Oscars—despite the movie's seven nominations

Rachel Zegler has spoken out to fans after her Oscars snub

Image of Rachel Zegler attending the British Vogue and Tiffany & Co. Fashion and Film Party 2022 at Annabel's on March 13, 2022 in London, England, to signify a story on Rachel Zegler not invited to Oscars
(Image credit: Getty Images / David M. Benett/Dave Benett)

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.”



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”.

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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)” .

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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.”

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 Let’s hope her invite is now being posted as we speak… 

Naomi Jamieson
Lifestyle News Writer

Naomi is a Lifestyle News Writer with the Women's Lifestyle team, where she covers everything from entertainment to fashion and beauty, as well as TikTok trends for Woman&Home, after previously writing for My Imperfect Life and GoodTo. Interestingly though, Naomi actually has a background in design, having studied illustration at Plymouth University but lept into the media world in 2020, after always having a passion for writing and earned her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ.


Before working for Future Publishing’s Lifestyle News team, she worked in the Ad production team. Here she wrote and designed adverts on all sorts of things, which then went into print magazines across all genres. Now, when she isn’t writing articles on celebs, fashion trends, or the newest shows on Netflix, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee, drawing and probably online shopping.