NEED TO KNOW
Rachel Zegler talked about her mental health and positive mentality in a new interview with i-D magazine
“I choose positivity and light and happiness,” the West Side Story breakout said
Following the release of her Disney movie Snow White, Zegler now leads a London production of the musical Evita
Rachel Zegler is booked, busy and focused on the positives.
“Happiness is absolutely a choice, and every day I wake up and I think I’m very lucky to live the life I live,” said Zegler, 24, in a new i-D magazine cover-story interview.
“I think a victim mindset is a choice, and I don’t choose it,” added the West Side Story Golden Globe winner. “I also don’t choose nastiness in the face of it.”
She added, “I don’t choose negativity in the face of it. I choose positivity and light and happiness.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Rachel Zegler in Los Angeles on March 15, 2025
Zegler’s comments follow the March release of Disney’s live-action Snow White remake, in which she starred in the titular role amid racist backlash from online trolls and controversy over her use of social media to support political causes.
Reflecting on “being outspoken” about her values, Zegler said, “My heart doesn’t have a fence around it, and if that is considered my downfall? … There are worse things.”
With help from a psychiatrist, she added, Zegler improved her mental health and moved on; after making a Broadway debut in Romeo + Juliet last year, she now leads a West End revival of the musical Evita in London, playing Argentine political leader Eva Perón.
“I’m a theater kid that got everything she wanted,” Zegler said.
Belinda Jiao/Getty
Rachel Zegler in Evita at the London Palladium on June 18, 2025
“I lost a lot of opportunities for joy by thinking, ‘There’s no way I could possibly survive this,’ ” the Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes star added. “And it’s like, you’re fine. Okay, drama queen, you’re cool. Don’t worry. You’re all right.”
When things are tough, Zegler continued, “You just want to push it away because it’s a bad feeling. I realized as I got older that sitting in it is so much more important than pushing it away … the only way out is through.”
The PEOPLE App is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more!
Also among Zegler’s upcoming projects is playing Marisa Tomei’s onscreen daughter in comedy-drama film She Gets It from Me.
Evita, directed by Jamie Lloyd, is now playing at the London Palladium.
Read the original article on People
