This YouTuber just got cast as Maria in the new 'West Side Story' movie

18 January 2019, 10:46

rachel zegler west side story
Picture: Instagram: Rachel Zegler
Benedict Townsend

By Benedict Townsend

Maria, I've just vlogged a girl named Maria

Rachel Zegler, a 17 year old Columbian YouTuber, has landed the starring role of Maria in Steven Spielberg's upcoming remake of the classic movie musical 'West Side Story'.

The film also stars Ansel Elgort, Rita Moreno, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez and Josh Andrés Rivera and does not yet have a release date. Filming begins summer 2019. The film will be set in 1961 and will feature an all Latinx cast.

In a statement, Rachel said:

“I am so thrilled to be playing the iconic role of Maria alongside this amazing cast,” said Rachel. “‘West Side Story’ was the first musical I encountered with a Latina lead character. As a Colombian-American, I am humbled by the opportunity to play a role that means so much to the Hispanic community.”

But does Rachel have the pipes? Uh... you better believe she does

In December 2018 a video of Rachel singing ‘Shallow’ from the movie ‘A Star Is Born’ went massively viral, due to Rachel's unbelievable singing abilities, delivered with almost no effort whatsoever - she doesn't even break a sweat. Behold:

Pretty damn impressive stuff.

Rachel isn't the first YouTuber to earn themselves a place in a movie. Joe Sugg and Caspar Lee recently leant their voices to the animated movie Wonder Park - and then there's also the ton of YouTubers who were in Hollywood movies without you even noticing...