Rachel Zegler is an American actress and singer who has swiftly risen to prominence in Hollywood.
Born on May 3, 2001, in Hackensack, New Jersey, to a Colombian-American mother, Gina, and a Polish-American father, Craig, Zegler grew up in Clifton, New Jersey.
Her multicultural background has often been a point of pride, reflected in her work and public persona.
Zegler first gained widespread attention for her breakout role as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 remake of West Side Story, a performance that showcased her vocal prowess and acting depth.
Named after Rachel Green from the TV series Friends, she has become a household name, celebrated for her talent and advocacy for diversity in the entertainment industry.
Siblings
Rachel has one older sister, Jacqueline Zegler, born on January 4, 1999. Jacqueline, often described as Rachel’s lookalike, has carved her own path distinct from her sister’s spotlight.
She has worked in politics, notably contributing to the Biden-Harris campaign, indicating a commitment to public service.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Jacqueline has occasionally intersected with Rachel’s career in charming ways.
For instance, she appeared as an extra in the reaping scene of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), in which Rachel starred as Lucy Gray Baird.
This cameo sparked interest among fans, highlighting the sisters’ close bond.
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Jacqueline maintains a modest online presence, with an Instagram account under the handle “jacinblack,” where she shares glimpses of her life and occasionally posts about her sister, such as a photo tagging Rachel on October 31, 2024.
Career
Before her cinematic debut, Zegler was a seasoned musical theater performer in high school, starring in productions like Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid.
Her big break came when she was cast as Maria in West Side Story at age 17, selected from over 30,000 applicants.
The film, released in December 2021, earned critical acclaim, and Zegler’s performance was lauded for its emotional intensity and vocal brilliance.
She followed this with a role in Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) and then took on the lead as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, further showcasing her versatility.
In 2025, Zegler starred as Disney’s Snow White in a live-action adaptation, a role that cemented her as a leading figure in Hollywood’s new generation.
Beyond acting, she is a singer-songwriter, with covers and original music shared on platforms like YouTube, where she first gained attention.
Accolades
For her role in West Side Story, Zegler won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy in 2022, a historic achievement as the youngest winner in that category at age 20 and the first of Colombian descent.
She also received a nomination for the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer.
Her work in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes earned praise, though specific awards for this role are less documented.
Zegler’s contribution to Snow White has been celebrated, with early reviews commending her vocal performance and reinterpretation of the classic character, though award nominations for this project are pending as of May 2025.
Additionally, her advocacy for representation in film has earned her accolades beyond acting, including being named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2022.
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