West Side Story's Rachel Zegler Not Invited To Oscars Despite Leading Movie
The Oscars are a week away but it appears that West Side Story star Rachel Zegler won't be attending, though not by choice. Directed by Steven Spielberg, West Side Story is nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Director, Best Supporting Actress for Ariana DeBose, and Best Picture. While Zegler, who plays Maria, did not score a Best Actress nomination, her road to getting the lead role in the film has been one of the most talked-about elements of the movie.
In a real-life star is born moment, Zegler won the role of Maria in an open casting call of more than 30,000 applicants. When Zegler was cast, she was still in high school and was set to star in her school production of Shrek: The Musical. Since the film's release, she has received rave reviews for her performance and has landed major roles in the upcoming Shazam: Fury of the Gods and the title role in Disney's remake of Snow White. Even without an Oscar nomination, being the star of the film meant she was likely going to attend the ceremony to support the movie.
Related: Shazam 2: Every DC Comics Character Rachel Zegler Could Be Playing
It appears, however, that is not the case as Zegler says she was not invited to this year's Academy Awards ceremony. The star said on her Instagram that she would be watching the ceremony from home, and later elaborated in a comment that, while she has tried to get an invite, it does not appear to be happening. She says she is disappointed she cannot attend but is proud of West Side Story and will be rooting for the film from home. See her original post and comment below:
Not inviting the lead actress of one of the Best Picture nominees is the latest in a series of questionable decisions that have defined this year's
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