Rachel Zegler: The Broadway-Pop Crossover Star

Rachel Zegler is an American singer and actress who rose to global fame from a viral social media audition. The New Jersey native's meteoric rise was cemented by her starring role in Steven Spielberg's 2021 adaptation of West Side Story, for which she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress.

Early career

Born in 2001 in Hackensack, New Jersey, Zegler's musical journey began with vocal training and performances in school theater. Her early online presence featured covers of popular songs, which she posted to YouTube and social media platforms, building a modest but dedicated following.

Breakthrough

Zegler's breakthrough arrived in 2018 when she was cast as María Vasquez in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story after responding to an open casting call on Twitter. Her performance of "Tonight" and "One Hand, One Heart" on the film's 2021 soundtrack introduced her powerful soprano to a massive audience, with the album debuting in the Top 10 of the Billboard Soundtrack chart.

Key tracks

Tonight — This duet from the West Side Story soundtrack showcases Zegler's classical vocal control and emotional delivery that defined her film debut.

All I Want — Featured as the end credit song for the 2023 film Shazam! Fury of the Gods, this original pop track marked her first major solo single release for a motion picture.

The Hanging Tree — Zegler's rendition of the haunting ballad for 2023's The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes soundtrack demonstrated her folk-inspired vocal styling and earned significant streaming attention.

Following her film success, Zegler contributed to major studio soundtracks, including Disney's live-action Snow White. Her musical style blends contemporary pop sensibilities with the theatricality of Broadway, leading to performances at major events like the Academy Awards.

Artists with a similar blend of theatrical pop and contemporary vocals include Cynthia Erivo, who also transitioned from stage to screen with a powerful singing voice. Ben Platt shares Zegler's trajectory from Broadway-focused projects to pop-infused solo recordings. The pop-classical crossover appeal can be heard in Josh Groban, another artist who built a career bridging musical theater and chart-friendly albums.

Rachel Zegler's music receives regular airplay on a variety of radio formats featured on this website. Her soundtrack hits are staples on show tunes and Broadway radio stations, while her pop singles find a home on contemporary hit and adult contemporary FM stations.

Listeners can discover the dynamic range of Rachel Zegler's music, from Broadway anthems to cinematic pop, on the radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to hear her key tracks in rotation across our curated network of music channels.