Rachel Zegler, a name that’s been lighting up marquees and trending on social media, is about to make another indelible mark on the UK entertainment scene. The 24-year-old Golden Globe-winning actress and West End sensation will step onto the stage of Strictly Come Dancing’s results show on October 26, 2025, bringing her powerhouse vocals to the iconic number “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” from Evita. For Zegler, this isn’t just another performance—it’s her first-ever live UK television appearance, and the anticipation is palpable.
According to the BBC, Zegler will be joined by two of Strictly’s professional dancers for the special Icons Week broadcast. This performance comes hot on the heels of her critically acclaimed run as Eva Perón in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita at the London Palladium—a run that not only sold out but also created viral buzz thanks to her emotional balcony renditions of the show’s signature number. That balcony moment, which drew both praise and a touch of controversy (some theatergoers felt it was unfair to those who’d paid for seats inside), only cemented Zegler’s reputation as one of musical theatre’s most exciting young stars.
But Zegler’s October UK takeover doesn’t end there. On October 24, just two days before her Strictly performance, she’ll appear on BBC One’s The Graham Norton Show, sharing the iconic red sofa with Kim Kardashian, Emmy and Tony Award-winner Sarah Paulson, and Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston. The lineup alone is enough to set tongues wagging, but Zegler’s presence adds an extra layer of intrigue—especially as she’s set to chat about her whirlwind year and perhaps offer a sneak peek into her upcoming projects.
Her appearance on Strictly marks a significant milestone. While Zegler has previously graced UK screens on The One Show, this will be her first time performing live for a British television audience. And what a song to choose! “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” is not just a showstopper—it’s a cultural touchstone, and Zegler’s interpretation, already a chart-topper, is sure to captivate millions tuning in for the results show.
According to West End theatre sources, Zegler’s rendition of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” was the first track released from the upcoming London cast album of Evita, and it quickly soared to number one on the Official UK Vinyl Singles Chart—not once, but three times. The album, which features Zegler as Eva Perón alongside Diego Andres Rodriguez, James Olivas, Aaron Lee Lambert, and Bella Brown, is set for release soon, though an official date has yet to be announced. The second single, “Rainbow High,” has also been released, further fueling excitement among musical theatre fans.
It’s been a whirlwind month for Zegler. On October 5, she performed her first London solo concert, Rachel Zegler Live at the London Palladium, selling out both performances and drawing rave reviews. Earlier in October, she clinched the Best West End Debut Performer Award at The Stage Debut Awards 2025, a prize voted for by theatregoers—a testament to her magnetic stage presence and the emotional depth she brings to every role.
Strictly’s Icons Week promises more than just Zegler’s star turn. The professional dancers will also pay tribute to pop legend Britney Spears, performing a high-energy group number that celebrates the many eras and signature looks of the pop icon. The competition itself remains fierce, with contestants like Amber Davies—another West End star—dancing for survival after Thomas Skinner and Ross King were eliminated in previous rounds. Last weekend’s Musicals Week featured Cynthia Erivo, the Tony Award-winning star of Wicked and The Color Purple, as a guest mentor. Erivo not only offered feedback to contestants but also delighted audiences with an impromptu song during the live broadcast. She’s set to return to the West End herself next year in a one-person adaptation of Dracula at the Noel Coward Theatre.
Rachel Zegler’s rise to stardom reads like something out of a Broadway musical. Born in New Jersey, she first caught the world’s attention at just 17, when Steven Spielberg personally selected her from over 30,000 hopefuls to play María in his 2021 remake of West Side Story. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical, and she’s been on a meteoric trajectory ever since. Screen roles have followed in rapid succession, including Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and Disney’s much-anticipated 2025 live-action Snow White, where she stars as the beloved princess. On stage, she’s wowed audiences in a Broadway adaptation of Romeo + Juliet opposite Kit Connor, as well as her recent turn in Evita.
But Zegler’s love affair with theatre started long before the glitz and glamour of the West End. As a child, she was mesmerized by a Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof at the tender age of four. She went on to appear in school and community productions of classics like Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, 42nd Street, Shrek the Musical, Les Misérables, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. That early passion for the stage has clearly never left her, and it’s a big part of why audiences connect so strongly with her performances today.
As for Strictly Come Dancing, the show itself is having a banner year, returning to screens on October 18, 2025, and drawing in viewers with its dazzling routines, celebrity contestants, and a healthy dose of drama. The addition of West End stars like Zegler and Amber Davies only adds to the show’s appeal, bridging the worlds of theatre and television in a way that feels fresh and exciting.
For Zegler, the coming days are a whirlwind: a chat with Graham Norton, a headline-grabbing performance on Strictly, and the imminent release of the Evita cast album. It’s a testament to her versatility and star power that she’s at the center of so many high-profile events. And if her past performances are any indication, viewers can expect a show-stopping, emotionally charged rendition of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” that will linger long after the final note fades.
As the spotlight turns to Rachel Zegler this Icons Week, one thing’s for certain: she’s not just performing—she’s making history, and audiences on both sides of the Atlantic are eager to see what she’ll do next.
