Rachel Zegler, the rising star known for her stellar performances on both stage and screen, is set to grace the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom as the musical guest for the results show of Icons Week on Sunday. This marks her first live UK television performance, a significant milestone in the career of the 24-year-old actress, whose profile has soared in recent years.
Zegler’s appointment as the guest performer for this special episode is especially fitting given the Icons Week theme. She will sing "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," a signature song from the musical Evita, in which she earned critical acclaim during the recent West End revival at the London Palladium. Her portrayal of Eva Perón in this reinvention of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic has been a defining role for her, praised by audiences who often gathered outside the Palladium to watch her balcony performances of the song, regardless of the weather. While there was some disappointment among fans that these balcony renditions were not performed live inside the theatre, her successful solo show following the production’s run quickly sold out, underscoring her growing popularity.
Before this, Zegler captured global attention through her lead role in Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of West Side Story, where she played María and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture. Most recently, she starred in Disney's live-action remake of Snow White, showcasing her vocal talents in musical numbers such as "Waiting on a Wish," further cementing her status as a multi-talented performer.
The announcement of her upcoming Strictly appearance follows several musical guests this series, including Zara Larsson and Lang Lang, but Zegler’s performance—scheduled during the iconic phase of the competition—carries particular resonance. Strictly’s Icons Week, which has seen contestants pay tribute to legendary performers with transformative acts, has been a highly popular and competitive stretch of the show this year. Recent episodes have featured impressive performances from a range of participants embodying famous figures, with close leaderboards stirring speculation and excitement about the results.
Zegler has previously appeared on UK television in interview formats, including The One Show earlier this year and an upcoming guest spot on The Graham Norton Show. However, this Strictly performance represents her television singing debut in the UK, adding an extra layer of anticipation and significance for this internationally recognised talent.
As the Strictly results show airs, fans can look forward to a touching and powerful performance from Zegler, linking the richness of musical theatre history to one of the nation’s most beloved entertainment programmes.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1] (Chronicle Live), [2] (Evening Standard), [3] (The Independent)
- Paragraph 2 – [1] (Chronicle Live), [2] (Evening Standard), [3] (The Independent), [4] (Evening Standard)
- Paragraph 3 – [1] (Chronicle Live), [2] (Evening Standard), [3] (The Independent)
- Paragraph 4 – [1] (Chronicle Live), [2] (Evening Standard), [3] (The Independent)
- Paragraph 5 – [2] (Evening Standard), [3] (The Independent)
Source: Noah Wire Services