Award-winning actress exposes brutal Oscars snub

She’s the star of a film up for seven Oscars – but this actress has gone public with a shocking snub that will see her miss the Academy Awards.

West Side Story star Rachel Zegler claims the Academy did not invite her to the 2022 Oscars, despite the film receiving seven nominations.

A fan commented on Zegler’s Instagram expressing their excitement to see her gown at Sunday’s ceremony, to which the breakout actress replied: “I’m not invited, so sweatpants and my boyfriend’s flannel.”

Zegler’s followers immediately responded with messages of surprise and disapproval, as her movie is up for awards including Best Picture.

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Zegler had a blunt response when a fan asked if she’d be going to the Oscars. Picture: Getty

“Breaks my heart. You were the best part of that movie. Surely Steven Spielberg could do something about this,” one fan wrote, referencing the film’s legendary director, who is also nominated.

“Step up to the mic? How’s the leading actress of a movie that’s up for seven Academy Awards not invited? How does that make any sense?” another commented.

After dozens of comments came in, Zegler, 20, clarified that she did not understand the decision either but will still be cheering for the musical.

“IDK y’all I have tried it all but it doesn’t seem to be happening,” she wrote in a second comment. “I will root for West Side Story from my couch and be proud of the work we so tirelessly did three years ago.”

Zegler (right) with co-star Ariana DeBose at the Critics Choice Awards in London earlier this month. Getty

The New Jersey native, who has already won a Golden Globe Award this season for her role as Maria Vasquez, also thanked her fans for their “shock and outrage” over the apparent snub. “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,” she said. “I’m disappointed, too. But that’s OK. So proud of our movie.”

A day after the Instagram buzz, Zegler took to Twitter to once again thank her supporters, but she also asked that they “respect the process”.

“My goodness, folks! Appreciate all the support, I really really do,” she tweeted on Sunday. “We live in such unprecedented times, and a lot of work behind the scenes goes into making movie magic happen. That goes for film productions (like the one I am so lucky to be currently shooting in London) … and awards shows alike. Let’s all just respect the process and I’ll get off my phone x R.”

Zegler (centre) in a scene from Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. Picture: Niko Tavernise

A source close to production told Page Six that Zegler is currently filming the live-action remake of Snow White in London, so that is why she most likely will not be attending.

“Rachel is in production for Snow White in London at the moment, so she’s busy filming that,” they told us.

Zegler grew up starring in local musicals before making her big-screen debut in West Side Story opposite Ansel Elgort and Ariana DeBose.

DeBose is nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

Zegler faced backlash earlier this year after she posted a video of herself doing a dramatic reading of Britney Spears’ critical tweets about estranged sister Jamie Lynn Spears. Zegler eventually apologised and thanked those who “held [her] accountable”.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission

Originally published as Award-winning actress exposes brutal Oscars snub