The Oscars is said to have backtracked after failing to invite West Side Story star Rachel Zegler to the award ceremony, despite the actor being the lead of the film.
At this year’s Academy Awards, Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the classic musical is up for seven gongs, including best picture.
However, it was recently revealed that Rachel, who plays lead character Maria, did not receive an invitation to attend the lavish event, with the star sharing her disappointment with her fans on social media.
Following a huge uproar over the glaring omission, it has been reported that efforts are being made to ensure that she can be present at the ceremony.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has now invited the 20-year-old to be a presenter when the winners are announced on Sunday.
However, there are complications in the way, as she is currently in London filming the live-action adaptation of Disney’s Snow White, in which she will play the titular character.
The publication claimed that there are hopes that the film’s shooting schedule can be altered so that Rachel is free to join her fellow Hollywood A-listers at the Oscars.
The news of the actor’s lack of an invite for the Oscars emerged after a fan said on Instagram that they couldn’t wait to see what she would be wearing at the Academy Awards.
‘I’m not invited so sweatpants and my boyfriend’s flannel,’ she responded at the time.
Russ Tamblyn, who played Riff in the original 1961 West Side Story film, said it was the ‘duty’ of the Oscars organisers to find Rachel a seat, urging them to ‘do right by her’.
Alec Baldwin also tweeted that he would buy her two tickets to the show.
Following the influx of fan support over her admission, with many outraged that she was not asked to attend, Rachel wrote on Twitter: ‘My goodness folks!! Appreciate all the support, I really really do.’
She continued: ‘We live in such unprecedented times, and a lot of work behind the scenes goes into making movie magic happen. That goes for film productions (like the one I am so lucky to be currently shooting in London) and awards shows alike. Let’s all just respect the process and I’ll get off my phone.’
Rachel received the Golden Globe for best actress in a motion picture comedy or musical for her performance in West Side Story, becoming the first actress of Colombian descent and the youngest to receive the award.
Metro.co.uk has contacted the Oscars and Rachel Zegler’s representatives for comment.
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