Rachel Zegler, break out star of best picture nominee West Side Story, has admitted that she wasn’t invited to the prestigious Academy Awards this year.
In response to a fan on Instagram who told Zegler she couldn’t “wait to see” the outfit she was going to wear to the event, she responded: “I’m not invited so sweatpants and my boyfriend’s [West Side Story co-star Josh Andrés Rivera] flannel.”
The actress, who plays the female lead Maria in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the musical, thanked fans for expressing “shock and outrage” after the reveal she’d be watching the Oscars from home.
As reported by Variety, film studios are sent an “undefined” number of tickets to the Oscars, which they can offer to cast members of the nominated movies.
West Side Story was distributed by 20th Century Studios, which is owned by Disney.
On her most recent Instagram post, Zegler wrote in the comments: “I have tried it all but it doesn’t seem to be happening. I will root for West Side Story from my couch and be proud of the work we so tirelessly did three years ago. I hope some last minute miracle occurs and I can celebrate our film in person but hey, that’s how it goes sometimes, I guess.
“Thanks for all the shock and outrage — I’m disappointed, too. But that’s okay. So proud of our movie.”
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Gloria Calderón Kellett is one among many who have rallied to allow Rachel Zegler to make her Oscars debut. Calderón Kellett was the creator of the sitcom One Day at a Time, which stars Zegler’s West Side Story castmate Rita Moreno.
“How about the rare time that Latine people have a movie nominated for an OSCAR you invite the lead.” Calderón Kellett tweeted.
Hey @ABCNetwork You moved the ONE Latine show you have to Hulu and @TheAcademy claims to want to embrace diversity. How about the rare time that Latine people have a movie nominated for an OSCAR you invite the lead. Latine people are 18.5% of this country. ENOUGH! pic.twitter.com/FBbi8R4QQm
— ♥ Gloria Calderón Kellett ♥ (@everythingloria) March 20, 2022
According to Vulture, the Academy Awards will take place on March 27 at the Dolby Theatre before an audience of 2,500. This will be 75% of the theatre’s capacity, which means the attendance will be lower than in previous years.
Rachel Zegler expressed her gratitude to fans on Twitter, thanking them for all of the support.
…and awards shows alike. let’s all just respect the process and i’ll get off my phone x R.
— rachel zegler (she/her/hers) (@rachelzegler) March 20, 2022
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