Actress Rachel Zegler has publicly expressed her admiration and support for fellow performer Jack Wolfe following his highly anticipated Broadway debut in the acclaimed musical Hadestown. The 24-year-old star shared her enthusiastic reaction after attending his performance at New York City's historic Walter Kerr Theatre this Wednesday, describing the experience as profoundly moving.
A Heartfelt Tribute on Social Media
Taking to her Instagram Story, Zegler posted a touching photograph of herself embracing Wolfe backstage, accompanied by a caption that radiated genuine pride and excitement. 'Never been so blown away in my life,' she wrote. 'Bravo my sweet friend. The world we live in now is so much better with you onstage!!!!!' This public endorsement highlights the strong camaraderie and mutual respect between the two rising talents within the entertainment industry.
Jack Wolfe's Stellar Broadway Role
Wolfe has taken on the demanding lead role of Orpheus, the legendary artist from Greek mythology, in this celebrated production. The musical, which features a book, music, and lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell and is directed by Rachel Chavkin, offers a contemporary retelling of the ancient tale of Orpheus and Eurydice. Having commenced its run in September, the show is scheduled to conclude on March 1, with Morgan Dudley portraying Eurydice opposite Wolfe.
Originally premiering Off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop in 2016 with Damon Daunno in the lead, Hadestown has since garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated following, making Wolfe's debut a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
Contrasting Fortunes: Snow White's Razzie Recognition
In a stark contrast to this celebratory moment, Zegler's recent film project, the live-action Snow White remake, has faced substantial criticism and commercial disappointment. The movie has accumulated a humiliating six nominations at the upcoming Golden Raspberry Awards, commonly known as the Razzies, which honour the year's worst cinematic achievements.
Scheduled for presentation on March 14, just one day before the Academy Awards, the Razzies have placed Snow White in a tie for the most nominations this year alongside the new adaptation of War of the Worlds, starring Ice Cube and Eva Longoria. Close behind with five nods is Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye's film Wake Up Tomorrow, a companion piece to his album of the same name.
Nominations and Industry Backlash
While Snow White is contending for the dubious honour of Worst Picture, alongside titles like War of the Worlds, Hurry Up Tomorrow, Star Trek: Section 31, and The Electric State, Zegler herself has narrowly avoided a nomination for Worst Actress. That category features esteemed Oscar winners such as her West Side Story co-star Ariana DeBose, Natalie Portman, and Michelle Yeoh.
The film's poor reception was evident upon its release last March, with Forbes predicting losses exceeding $115 million by the end of its theatrical run. A significant portion of social media commentary attributed the failure directly to Zegler, culminating years of online controversy surrounding her casting and public statements about the original 1937 animated classic.
Her initial selection for the role in 2021 sparked debate, as Zegler does not possess the 'skin as white as snow' described in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Further alienation occurred in 2022 when, at a Disney fan event, she critiqued the original plot, remarking, 'There's a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird! Weird. So we didn't do that this time.' These comments fueled existing fan discontent and contributed to the film's challenging reception.
