Rachel Zegler Is The New Maria And I'm Excited | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post

Rachel Zegler Is Maria In The New "West Side Story" Film And I Couldn't Be More Excited

Living proof that YouTube covers can still get you far in life.

dmedina
Mar 28, 2019
University of West Georgia
111
Rachel Zegler Is Maria In The New "West Side Story" Film And I Couldn't Be More Excited
Twitter

"West Side Story" is an iconic musical that portrays a more modern story of Romeo and Juliet involved in the street gangs of New York. Taking place in the upper west side, the two gangs consist of the Puerto Rican Sharks led by Bernardo and the white Jets led by the Riff. The musical contains well-known songs like "America," "I Feel Pretty," and "Maria" as well as iconic dance numbers. The main characters, Maria and Tony, separately come from both gangs and fall in love. Maria's brother is Sharks leader Bernardo and Tony is a part of the Jets.

Giphy

The original movie from 1961 captured a grand audience and was extremely successful. Now acclaimed director Steven Spielberg is doing a remake of the film. He cast Ansel Elgort as Tony and YouTube phenomenon Rachel Zegler as Maria. Rachel Zegler is a Colombian-American senior in high school who takes part in many of her school's Broadway show productions. She posts covers of her singing Broadway songs as well as some currently popular songs. She's best known for her short viral cover of Shallow by Lady Gaga:

The internet is very excited about her being cast to play Maria, as am I. She's an extremely talented 17-year-old and was selected out of 30,000 applicants! I wouldn't say she was lucky, but much rather that her talent is what got her this legendary role. I fell in love with her covers of No One Else from "Natasha, Pierre, And The Great Comet Of 1812" and Breathe from "In The Heights". Zegler began performing in theatre at the age of twelve and hasn't stopped since. She's played Belle in "Beauty and the Beast," Cosette in "Les Miserables," Ariel in "The Little Mermaid," and Maria in a performing arts school presentation of "West Side Story".

Zegler already has experience with this famous musical, which only further enables her to play this strong female lead. She even posted a clip of her in the final scene of the theatre production of "West Side Story" in which she starred:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIjDdiC0LHo

Rachel Zegler will become a household name that I hope to never stop hearing. She's only just getting started and I can't wait to see how far she goes in her career. I'm definitely looking forward to the day she's performing her heart out on Broadway.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Swoon

Why I Love Being Single (And You Should, Too)

Dedicated to February 14

Truman State University
24158
sex and the city
Warner Bros. Television

1. You don't have to feel guilty about flirting with customers for tips (or just for shits and giggles).

2. You can be obnoxiously flirtatious with anyone you want. You are free to be that girl that flirts with everybody and makes 'em all smile (it's especially fun when the guy is as cute as Collin Jost). No shame.

3. Making random men nervous with your superior beauty and intense eye contact just for the hell of it is really amusing and empowering.

4. No one gives two poops if ya legs are hairy (your man shouldn't either but *Kermit the Frog meme* That's none of my business)

5. The toilet seat will remain down.

6. There's more money to spend on yourself.

7. There's always this secret butterfly in your tummy that marvels at the possibility that when you go out this weekend you're gonna meet someone super handsome/wonderful/prince-like and have this moment of dazzling dalliance.

8. Nothing is that serious...you can take it all with a grain of salt...you don't owe anybody anything.

9. You can dance with anyone and everyone...or no one (Hello frat boi w/ glasses, I see you).

10. You don't have to fluff anyone's ego but your own.

11. Free drinks and dinners from single guys (It's not taking advantage if they're offering; a girl's gotta eat).

12. You have more time to learn how to love and improve yourself rather than constantly pouring your energy into another person.

13. You don't have to sacrifice your cheesy Jen Aniston rom-coms and Gilmore Girls for his Fast and Furious/other dumb action movie featuring blonde that is only in the movie to supply a relationship to the male lead and to make him look more masculine/empowered in juxtaposition (In other words, you don't have to deal with a guy being a crabby Patty while you watch your cute movies).

14. You can daydream about what your future husband may be doing right now (and not get stressed/guilty out because you're not picturing your current boyfriend that's crazy about you as your future husband).

15. There is more time to be spent with your girlfriends.

single life
Entertainment

How Girls Night Out Turns Into Girls Night In

To go out or not to go out this Friday night...

Washington College
357
Girls Night In
Milk + Blush

We've all been there - you've been saying since Tuesday after French that this weekend is the weekend. You're finally going to break out those new heels and actually put on eyeliner on and make this Friday night be one for the memory books! That is, of course, until Girls Night Out turned into...Girls Night In.

Keep Reading...Show less
night out
Entertainment

What Is Your Zodiac GIF?

Characteristics of the astrological signs, explained through GIFS.

Eastern New Mexico University
649
zodiac
Wordpress

Whether you believe astrology is a legitimate "science" or not, we have all found ourselves looking at our horoscopes from time to time. The 12 astrological signs all fall under one of four elements: air, water, earth, or fire. Air signs are rational, social, and love to communicate with others. Water signs are are emotional, intuitive, and mysterious. Fire signs tend to be passionate, creative, and adventurous. Earth signs are conservative, realistic, and loyal.

Each sign is determined by the relative positions of celestial bodies to ourselves at our moment of birth, which is said to influence our personalities. Find your zodiac GIF below, based on the traits and characteristics provided by each sign.

***Disclaimer: GIFS are meant to be lighthearted and are based on descriptions of signs from http://www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com/.

Keep Reading...Show less
zodiac signs
Relationships

The Importance Of The Friends You Make In College

They're not just your friends, they're your family.

Rutgers University
2731
friends
Kristin Buggy

College is supposed to be one of the best times of your life. However, it is also one of the toughest transitions to make. There is so much anticipation and excitement leading up to moving into college. It doesn’t truly hit you until move in day when your parents say their final goodbyes and you see their car drive away. You truly are on your own. I was blessed to meet my best friends within the first week of school. Your college friends are so important and here’s why:

Keep Reading...Show less
college friends
Student Life

13 Real Thoughts Every College Student Has At Some Point

I am broke, tired, and hungry. Leave me alone.

Johnson & Wales University
2907
13 Real Thoughts Every College Student Has At Some Point
Good Call

There are a few thoughts that go through a college student's mind on a day to day basis. Some of those thoughts come from class, some of then come from when you are bored in class. Here are sixteen thoughts that college students think of on a day to day basis.

Keep Reading...Show less

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments