Rachel Zegler abruptly exits ‘Evita’ play mid-show due to mystery illness
Rachel Zegler left “Evita” mid-performance on Thursday due to a mystery illness and did not return.
The actress’s departure was announced during intermission, per a People reporter who was present.
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Zegler — who plays the lead, former Argentinian politician and activist Evita Perón, in the play — has yet to address why she suddenly exited or provided a health update.
Page Six has reached out to her reps for comment but has not immediately heard back.
It’s also unclear whether Zegler will return to the stage for Friday’s show. The play’s official Instagram has not released a statement and reps for The London Palladium theater could not immediately be reached.
Despite Zegler’s absence, Thursday’s audience still got a full show as her understudy stepped in.
Bella Brown reportedly began Act 2 with “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” one of the most famous songs from the play by renowned composer Lloyd Webber.
The actress received a standing ovation that lasted nearly five minutes, per People, and she and the rest of the cast bowed 10 times as a result.
Brown continued to relish the praise via social media on Friday by reposting some of the compliments, including one that called her a “superstar.”
She also added via her Instagram Story, “Today really showed just how important swings and covers are within the industry!! They are the pillars of a show!! A proud day to be at @officialevita.”
In March, it was revealed that Zegler had been chosen to play Perón in the West End’s “Evita.”
“‘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,” the “West Side Story” star told Deadline.
“The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd’s singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honor unlike any other.”
She continued, “The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can’t wait to make my West End debut in such great company.”
The casting came after Zegler’s live-action version of “Snow White” bombed at the box office following a series of controversial remarks and rumors of a feud between her and co-star Gal Gadot.
Her final performance at the London Palladium is scheduled for Sept. 6.
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