Rachel Zegler, who portrayed Maria Vasquez in Steven Spielberg's Oscar-nominated 2021 film West Side Story, recently revealed that she joined the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and the film Shazam! Fury of the Gods because she needed a job.
When asked by The Hollywood Reporter why she chose to join the cast of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Zegler replied:
"The reality is we’re in the middle of a pandemic and I was not working, and I couldn’t get a job for the life of me, because West Side Story hadn’t come out yet. It was really hard to book work for me."
Zegler's response was refreshingly honest and relatable, particularly given how hard the pandemic has hit the entertainment business. As productions have shut down and projects have been delayed, many actors have struggled to find employment in the industry.
Despite the obstacles, Zegler has steadily advanced her career, and her part in the upcoming Hunger Games prequel titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is poised to propel her to even greater heights. Her decision to play a minor part in Shazam! Fury of the Gods demonstrates her willingness to work hard and seize any opportunities that come her way.
Overall, Zegler's candid response serves as a reminder that even successful actors must work hard to make a livelihood in a competitive industry and that it's critical to be open to all kinds of chances, large or small.
Rachel Zegler Opens Up About Being 'Terrified, Terrified, Terrified' About Playing Snow White in Disney's Live-Action Adaptation
Rachel Zegler, who will portray Snow White in Disney's upcoming live-action remake of the classic fairy tale, recently confessed that she was terrified to take on the role.
"I was terrified, terrified, terrified, terrified because you're playing the first one. The blueprint of all Disney Princesses comes from 1937's Snow White. You have so many conversations leading up to it. You're gonna chop off all your hair and learn how to dance with all these fake animals and things that are not there. It was a lot of pressure."
Zegler then discussed the strain she felt to live up to the iconic character and the expectations of Disney fans in an interview with NME. "It was terrifying, but I'm so excited for it," she said.
Zegler, who was discovered on social media and won the lead role in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story before landing the role in Snow White, admits that taking on such high-profile projects can be daunting. "It's really scary at times, but it's also really exciting, and I'm really grateful to be here," she said.
Despite her reservations, Zegler expressed confidence in her ability to offer a fresh perspective to the role of Snow White. "I think there's a really beautiful opportunity to show a different side of Snow White that hasn't been shown before," she explained. I'm very eager to get started on that and hopefully do it justice."
Zegler's openness about her fears and dedication to the part demonstrates her commitment to her craft and willingness to take on new challenges. Fans will surely be excited to see her play Snow White when the film is released.