After an internet firestorm over the revelation that Rachel ZeglerThe star of Best Picture Oscar nominee, West Side Story, had not been invited to attend the 2022 Oscars Sunday night, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited the up-and-coming talent to host at the ceremony, the Hollywood Reporter said learned.
The 20-year-old Latina actress is currently filming Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White in London. THR understands efforts are being made to rearrange the film’s shooting schedule to allow Zegler to attend the Oscars.
On Sunday, Zegler posted a series of images on her personal Instagram account with the caption, “A quarter well spent.” In the comments, one user wrote, “Can’t wait to see what you wear to Oscars night.” Zegler replied, writing, “I’m not invited so my boyfriend’s sweatpants and flannel.”
In response to this post, social media users erupted in outrage, as did notable figures from the One Day at a Time co-creator Gloria Calderon Kellett to the reef of the original West Side Story, Russ Tamblynwith many remarks on the strangeness of non-industry types like Tony Hawk and Shaun White was asked to present on the show, but not the leading lady and public face of a Best Picture Oscar nominee.
Of course, Zegler wasn’t personally nominated this year (neither Hawk nor White), so the Academy was under no obligation to invite her, and Disney was under no obligation to give her one of its tickets. (Each nominee and presenter is offered a pair of tickets, and each studio receives an allotment, although fewer tickets were distributed this year due to COVID-19 precautions.) But many felt both the organization and studio should have made sure that the star of a Best Picture nominee was present in one capacity or another at the ceremony.
Zegler last addressed the situation on Twitter on Sunday: “My goodness, people!! appreciate all the support, i really do. We live in such unprecedented times, and there is a lot of work behind the scenes to make movie magic happen. This applies equally to film productions (like the one I’m fortunately shooting in London right now) and award ceremonies. Let’s all just respect the process and I’ll put my phone down.”
The “process” is now complete.