A New Jersey high school student who has never been in a movie before has been cast in the coveted role of Maria in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story remake.
Rachel Zegler, 17, landed the role after submitting a video of herself singing one of the film's most iconic songs, I Feel Pretty, in Spanish to producers.
She first learned about the auditions in January 2017 from a Twitter ad asking for actors from within the Latinx community.
Zegler's mother Gina is Colombian and her father, who works in construction, is American. The teenager is a part-time wedding singer and honor roll student.
'I am so thrilled to be playing the iconic role of Maria alongside this amazing cast,' she said in a statement about the announcement after it was made on Monday.
She will star alongside 24-year-old Ansel Elgort, who will play Tony, and Ariana DeBose, who will play Anita.
Career break: Steven Spielberg has cast unknown wedding singer Rachel Zegler, 17, as Maria in his West Side Story movie remake alongside Ansel Elgort
She also wrote on Instagram: 'When I played Maria on stage a few summers ago, I never could have imagined that I'd be taking on the role again in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story.
'As a Colombian-American woman growing up in this day and age, strong roles like Maria are so important.
'To be able to bring that role to life - a role that means so much to the Hispanic community - is so humbling.'
Zegler went viral last year after posting a video of herself singing Lady Gaga's song from A Star is Born, Shallow. It garnered almost 500,000 views.
West Side Story, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, was first performed on Broadway in 1957.
Beautiful brunette: The actress in an Instagram snap posted on December 5, beat 30,000 people to the role, (left) and Natalie Wood (right) in the original film
Rachel is an honors student who lives in Clifton, New Jersey, with her father Craig, mother Gina and 20-year-old sister Jacquelin
Zegler first heard about the role from a Twitter ad asking for Hispanic actors to audition
The teenager has never been cast in a film before but has an impressive following on YouTube and social media
Zegler has been bowled over by the reaction she has received since the announcement was made
It was made into a Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise movie in 1961, with Russian actress Natalie Wood playing the lead role of Maria, and Richard Beymer as Tony.
The show has been on Broadway and around the world several times over the past decades.
Spielberg made clear that he would only cast Latina and Latino actors for the Puerto Rican roles.
The original film faced criticism for its largely white cast who played Hispanic characters.
He told Deadline: 'I'm so happy that we've assembled a cast that reflects the astonishing depth of talent in America's multifaceted Hispanic community.
Her leading man: Ansel Elgort, 24, will play Rachel's love interest Tony, who was played by Richard Beymer in the original film
Broadway veteran Ariana DeBose, 27, (left) will star as Anita who was played by Rita Moreno (right). Moreno has signed on as an Executive Producer and she will also appear in the film in a written-in role
David Alvarez will play Bernardo, the villainous leader of the Sharks gang who was originally played by George Chakiris
Josh Andres Rivera will play Chino. Jose Vega assumed the role in the original film
Moreno, who starred in the original, is signed on as an executive producer and will also appear in the film in the role of Valentina - a re-written, female version of store-owner Doc, right, from the original film
Steven Spielberg said the cast 'reflects the astonishing depth of talent in America's multifaceted Hispanic community'
'I am in awe of the sheer force of the talent of these young performers, and I believe they'll bring a new and electrifying energy to a magnificent musical that's more relevant than ever.'
Broadway veterans Ariana DeBose, 27, and David Alvarez, 24, will star as Anita and Bernado, members of the Sharks gang.
Ariana appeared in Hamilton and was nominated for a Tony award for starring in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.
David won a Tony in 2009 for originating the title role in Billy Elliot: The Musical.
Ariana said: 'I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of the remarkable women who have played Anita – including Chita Rivera and, of course, the incomparable Rita Moreno.
'I relate so strongly to Anita – a strong Puerto Rican woman who came to New York in search of opportunity – and I feel so fortunate for the chance to work with this amazing cast and creative team.'
Filming will reportedly begin this summer.
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https://hienalouca.com/2019/01/15/steven-spielbergs-west-side-story-reveals-core-cast-with-rachel-zegler-17-landing-role-of-maria/
Main photo article A New Jersey high school student who has never been in a movie before has been cast in the coveted role of Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story remake.
Rachel Zegler, 17, landed the role after submitting a video of herself singing one of the film’s most iconic songs, I Feel ...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/01/15/13/8527450-6591873-Career_break_Steven_Spielberg_has_cast_unknown_wedding_singer_Ra-m-25_1547558901887.jpg
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