Rachel Zegler recalled the feeling of 'having a bunch of white executives have you prove your identity to them' during her 'West Side Story' casting

“There’s confusion because I don’t have a single ounce of Latin in my name,” Zegler said. “When I was in the running for María in ‘West Side Story,’ they kept calling to ask if I was legit. I remember thinking, ‘Do you want me to bring my abuelita in?’ I will. I’ll bring her into the studio if you want to meet her.”

The “Snow White” actress, 23, opened up about being repeatedly questioned over her identity ahead of landing the part in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 film, “West Side