In a recent interview on The Graham Norton Show, rising star Rachel Zegler opened up about her incredible journey from being a regular high school student to landing the lead role in Steven Spielberg‘s adaptation of Westside Story. The interview was filled with laughter, candid anecdotes, and reflections on her extraordinary experiences.
Zegler, a native of New Jersey, shared that she still can’t believe she’s a movie star. Coming from a humble background, she joked about going back to her childhood bedroom if she were to go home now. Despite her newfound success, Zegler emphasized that her journey has been anything but temporary. From living in Chelsea, New York to Atlanta, Georgia, and now in the UK for the Westside Story production, she expressed a sense of awe at each step of her journey.
During the filming of Westside Story, Zegler had some unforgettable moments with New Jersey royalty, Bruce Springsteen. The music legend attended her performance and even complimented her singing while wearing his aviators. Zegler humorously confessed to being starstruck and feeling a bit overwhelmed in the presence of Springsteen and other luminaries like Steven Sondheim and Barack Obama, who also made visits to the set.
Reflecting on the surreal experience, Zegler described it as a gathering of the most famous people ever, similar to the iconic painting of dogs playing poker. She couldn’t believe she was in the same room as these legends, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying the moment and being proud of the work she had accomplished.
Zegler also discussed her journey to securing the role of Maria in Westside Story. At just 16 years old, she received a tweet from Cindy Tolen, the casting director, looking for Latina talent for the film. Zegler auditioned for a year, enduring nine rounds of auditions. Finally, in late December 2018, she received the call that changed her life forever. Astonished by the odds she had overcome, Zegler shared her sense of pride in being chosen out of 30,000 people.
In a heartwarming moment, Zegler revealed that she requested Spielberg’s permission to still participate in her school’s senior year musical production of Shrek while filming Westside Story. Spielberg, who had produced the original Shrek film, graciously supported her decision. Zegler recounted getting painted green and looking like she had jaundice for three weeks after her participation in the musical.
The interview also touched on Zegler’s passion for both acting and dancing. Although she had trained as a dancer when she was younger, Zegler had to prioritize acting once her career took off. She admitted to being a “really good mover” and emphasized that her performances were based more on movement than traditional dancing.
Zegler’s infectious enthusiasm for her craft and her recognition of the challenges it entails shone through in the interview. She spoke about the joy of watching Westside Story on the big screen, even admitting to seeing the film nine times already. Zegler expressed her pride in the work done by the entire cast and crew.
The interview took an unexpected turn when Zegler mentioned her fondness for the popular UK bakery chain, Greggs. Vicky McClure, a fellow guest on the show, shared her own love for Greggs, and the conversation turned to the unique relationship Zegler had developed with the bakery. Zegler’s agent had once received a gift card from Greggs, sparking an ongoing connection that included Zegler endorsing the brand and even collaborating on a quirky project with them.
As the interview came to a close, Zegler thanked Greggs for their support during the filming of Westside Story. She revealed that a van from the bakery had arrived on set, providing the cast and crew with delicious coffee. Zegler also shared the thoughtful gifts she and the rest of the cast received, including personalized jackets and t-shirts related to the film.
Throughout the interview, Zegler’s genuine excitement and appreciation for her journey from New Jersey to Hollywood radiated from her every word. Her infectious energy and talent are sure to make her a rising star to watch in the entertainment industry.
