Rachel Zegler Sings ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ at London Palladium, Audience Criticizes Decision

Rachel Zegler belted out Don’t Cry For Me Argentina on the balcony of the London Palladium for her performance in Evita on Wednesday.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the venue for the Snow White star’s performance of the song made famous by the likes of Elaine Paige and Madonna. 

Rachel is playing former First Lady of Argentina Eva Peron in the show, which debuted in 1978 and was written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The play follows her rise from a poor background to becoming a powerful political figure and cultural icon in Argentina. 

For her performance of the iconic song, Rachel donned a white strapless dress and sported a platinum blonde wig styled into a chignon. 

Rachel Zegler belted out Don’t Cry For Me Argentina on the balcony of the London Palladium for her performance in Evita on Wednesday

Hundreds of people gathered outside the venue for the Snow White star’s performance of the song made famous by the likes of Elaine Paige and Madonna

The actress put on a passionate performance for the crowd gathered outside but not all were happy with the staging of the show.    

Furious fans took to social media to express their frustration that they will not see Don’t Cry for Argentina on stage, despite paying for tickets. 

One person wrote: ‘Sorry, are you saying I’ve paid £350 for 2 tickets and she’s singing the biggest number outside at people who haven’t paid?’

Another explained that they ‘go to the theatre to share the same space with a performer’.

Others, however, said the move would help encourage more people to go to the theatre. 

Abi, a 21-year-old student from London, said: ‘I think it’s making theatre more accessible.

‘It’s actually adding to the ambience of the show.

‘The speech she does at the end of the song does hit completely different seeing it outside. It adds so much more to her performance to see her do it to the people.’

For her performance of the iconic song, Rachel donned a white strapless dress and sported a platinum blonde wig styled into a chignon

The actress put on a passionate performance for the crowd gathered outside but not all were happy with the staging of the show

Furious fans took to social media to express their frustration that they will not see Don’t Cry for Argentina on stage, despite paying for tickets

The play follows her rise from a poor background to becoming a powerful political figure and cultural icon in Argentina

Another person added: ‘I think you might potentially be a bit gutted [if you were inside the theatre]. I know they had it on the projectors, but you might be a bit gutted to have missed the most important song.

‘But you’ve still got the rest of it to go and it’s given a good night to a lot of people who wouldn’t normally be able to get that experience.’

Photos taken of Rachel performing the song on the balcony, show her wearing a blonde wig, which was styled in a neat waved up-do.

She also donned a strapless white gown and wore a huge dazzling necklace for her first West End performance.

Rachel, who has been engulfed in controversy since the release of Disney’s ‘woke’ Snow White is hoping her fortunes could see a career turn with Evita.

Following the announcement earlier this year, Rachel gushed: ‘Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would sing Don’t Cry for Me Argentina together on my back patio.

‘The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd’s singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honour unlike any other. The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can’t wait to make my West End debut in such great company.’

Rachel will be hoping the new gig could help see a career reassurance after she was engulfed in controversy amid the release of Disney’s ‘ woke ‘ Snow White; pictured with Andrew Burnap

Meanwhile Jamie said: ‘I am so excited to be collaborating with the brilliant Rachel Zegler on Evita. She is a phenomenal talent, and I am delighted she will be making her West End debut as the iconic Eva Perón’.

An official announcement for the show read: ‘Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary Evita returns to the West End, reimagined by the visionary award-winning director Jamie Lloyd’.

‘Featuring an iconic score including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Oh What A Circus, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, and the Oscar-winning You Must Love Me’.

‘Fuelled by ambition and passion, Eva Perón rose from poverty to become the most powerful woman in Latin America. A symbol of hope to many Argentines, her star shone brightly as she captured the nation’s heart and divided its soul’.

Rachel is no stranger to musical theatre and starred in Stephen Spielberg’s Oscar winning adaption of West Side Story in 2021.

Other famous faces to take on the iconic role Evita include Patti Lupone, Elaine Paige as well as mega Madonna in the 1996 movie version.