Rachel Zegler earned major recognition at the 2026 WhatsOnStage Awards held on Sunday, taking home the award for best performer in a musical. The ceremony celebrated her acclaimed role as Argentina’s former First Lady Eva Perón in the revival of Evita at London’s Palladium last year, highlighting her growing impact in theatre and film.
Rachel Zegler’s Triumph for Her Role in Evita
Zegler’s portrayal of Eva Perón in the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical received widespread acclaim, leading to her top honor in the best performer in a musical category. Alongside this, she also won best concert event for two sold-out solo shows she performed at the Palladium shortly after finishing Evita.
Although unable to attend the awards due to filming commitments in New York, Zegler expressed her gratitude in a video message:
“I’m so sad that I can’t be there with you today to celebrate. I am so unbelievably humbled to be accepting this award. I’m literally in New York, just absolutely buzzing with excitement, so I just want to say a firm thank you to everybody who voted.”
Rachel Zegler, Actress
She described playing Eva Perón as the “honour of (her) life” and acknowledged key contributors including director Jamie Lloyd and her alternate Bella Brown. She added,
“That entire cast carried me through what was the most difficult and amazing and rewarding 12 weeks of my life so getting to accept this award is really for all of them.”
Rachel Zegler, Actress
Additional Award Winners and Highlights from the Ceremony
The production of Evita also secured multiple technical awards and was recognized as Best Musical Revival, underscoring its overall success at the event. The public-voted WhatsOnStage Awards came just days after Zegler earned her first Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical, accentuating her rapid rise.
Jonathan Bailey, known for his role in Wicked, was honored as best performer in a play for his portrayal in Richard II. Supporting performer awards were presented to Stephen Fry for The Importance of Being Earnest and Amber Davies for The Great Gatsby, rounding out the night’s notable acting achievements.
Paddington The Musical Sets New Records
Paddington The Musical emerged as the biggest winner of the night, capturing nine awards— the highest number ever won by a new musical. This achievement ties it with previous record holders Miss Saigon and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, marking a historic moment in London theatre history according to BBC News.
The success of Paddington reflects its widespread appeal and impressive production quality, suggesting a lasting influence on future musical theatre productions.
Significance of the Awards and Future Prospects
Rachel Zegler’s wins at the WhatsOnStage Awards reinforce her position as a rising star in the theatrical world, with acclaim following her crossover from film to stage. The recognition she received alongside other celebrated artists like Jonathan Bailey and Amber Davies highlights a vibrant year for London theatre.
As the public continues to show strong support for contemporary productions such as Evita and Paddington, these awards help set the tone for upcoming seasons, promising continued excellence and innovation in live performance.
