Rachel Zegler, who is currently headlining the West End production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita, was recently spotted greeting fans and signing autographs outside the London Palladium. A video capturing her graciously standing up for her bodyguard after he was disrespected by a few fans is now earning widespread praise.
Following one of her performances, Zegler greeted fans outside the stage door. When a fan grew confrontational, accusing her bodyguard of pushing too forcefully, the actor calmly stepped in to defend him.
“Hey, I love you so much, but Danny is just doing his job, he’s just protecting me. He works here and he’s helping me because crowds are very, very intimidating,” she said, “I know, babe, I love you so much, but please don’t disrespect my Danny.”
While it’s unclear what exactly led up to the confrontation with the fan, in a video captured outside the stage door, Zegler can be seen trying to diffuse the situation.
Fans have praised Rachel for how gently she handled the situation and stood up for her bodyguard.
One fan commented, “She’s literally the sweetest girl ever.” Another wrote, “Giving huge thanks to her bodyguard for protecting our princess! My gosh, fans can be kind of crazy sometimes! Kudos to Rachel for defending him.”
Evita Zegler style
The classic musical Evita, traces Eva Perón’s remarkable rise to power. The production began its run on Monday, June 14, at the London Palladium.
Zegler’s portrayal in the demanding lead role has earned widespread acclaim for her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence. Partway through the show, Zegler steps onto an exterior balcony to perform Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina. It was a surprise moment for passersby on the street, while the performance was streamed live to the audience inside.
The production is scheduled to conclude its 12-week run on September 6.