At just 24, Rachel Zegler has already conquered Hollywood, Broadway, and now London’s West End—but her latest role might be her most revealing yet. For i-D Magazine’s newest digital cover, the West Side Story and Snow White star strips away the glittering facade of fame, trading princess gowns for plaid shirts, lace boxers, and a kitchen-counter confessional that feels more like a late-night heart-to-heart than a glossy photoshoot.
A Shoot That Feels Like a Rebellion
Lensed by Richard Kern and styled by Ron Hartleben, the editorial is a love letter to ‘90s grunge and unapologetic realness. Zegler lounges in denim cut-offs and heels perched on a countertop, gets lost in music wearing a slouchy plaid shirt over a ripped tee, and stares down the camera with a look that says, “This is me—take it or leave it.” The wardrobe—a mix of vintage-inspired Stella McCartney, Dior, and Re/Done—feels intentionally undone, a far cry from the pristine Disney image the world first met.
But the fashion isn’t the headline here. It’s the woman wearing it.
The Backlash, The Breakdown, and The Comeback
Zegler doesn’t shy away from the whiplash of fame—especially after the intense scrutiny surrounding Snow White. “There were moments where I thought, ‘I can’t do this anymore,’” she admits. The pressure, the online vitriol, the constant performance of perfection left her paralyzed by anxiety—until therapy and medication helped her reclaim her life.
“I just wanted to function,” she says. “To feel confident in how I moved through the world.”
It’s a startlingly raw admission from a star who’s spent years smiling through press tours and red carpets, but it’s also a battle cry. Zegler isn’t asking for sympathy—she’s owning her story, flaws and all.
Why This Matters
In an industry that polishes young women into marketable products, Zegler’s refusal to play the game is quietly revolutionary. She could’ve given another canned interview about “following her dreams.” Instead, she’s talking about panic attacks, medication, and the ugly side of child stardom—topics Hollywood still whispers about behind closed doors.
And yet, there’s no self-pity here. Just a 24-year-old who’s done apologizing for taking up space.
What’s Next?
With Evita on the West End horizon, Zegler’s reinvention is just beginning. But if this shoot proves anything, it’s that the roles don’t define her anymore. She’s writing her own script now—messy, complicated, and gloriously human.
Read the full feature on i-D Magazine.
Final Thought
Rachel Zegler isn’t America’s sweetheart. She’s something better: herself. And that’s a role no one can cast her out of.
