Rachel Zegler
Justin Matthew via "Evita - The Musical" Facebook page

American actress and singer Rachel Zegler has recently exited her performance midway at the musical 'Evita', and was replaced by understudy Bella Brown.

Reports have suggested that Rachel's exit, which occurred during the musical's London debut at the time, was due to an illness the actress contracted amidst her much-anticipated debut in the city for this performance.

Sudden Exit Mid-Way

People magazine was in attendance at the performance, which took place at the renowned London Palladium theatre. They reported that Rachel, who plays Eva Perón in the musical, left the stage during the musical's evening performance.

After an announcement during an intermission, understudy Bella Brown, who plays Perón's mistress, played Eva Perón.

During the musical's second act, the iconic number 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' was performed, considered the most well-known song from the musical's score by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice.

Following Bella's performance, the audience showed their appreciation with a standing ovation that stretched nearly five minutes. She and the rest of the cast then took an impressive ten curtain calls in response.

How Rachel Zegler Previously Played The Role

Despite widespread criticism received for her part in the live adaptation of Snow White, critics have praised Rachel for her performance in 'Evita.' In a recent review by The Independent, theatre critic Alice Saville stated that Rachel Zegler is 'enthralling' as Evita in this show, describing it as a 'gorgeous sensory overload'.

'Her [Zegler's] voice has an emotive purity to it that captures the spoilt, childlike quality of the super-rich, too used to adoration to be able to contemplate life without it,' she said.

Alice added, 'Zegler beautifully portrays Evita as a natural performer who effortlessly acts her way out of small-town mediocrity, pretending to fall for men who can help her get gigs, then snapping out of it just as fast. When she marries Perón, her new position as the dictator's wife is the ultimate role.'

Will She Return to 'Evita'?

Rachel Zegler has already returned for another round of the show at the London Palladium the following day, as posted on her Instagram stories. In those shared stories by fans, she is seen taking a bow following the ending of the show.

After the show's opening at London's West End earlier this month, Rachel had already commented on the dedication of the cast and staff for this show, noting everything that happened behind the scenes.

'Everyone onstage (and off) at the Palladium tonight has been working their asses off on this show — some of them for years — to bring it to you in its best form. As someone who joined this journey back in February, having rehearsed since April, and now 17 performances in, I can honestly say that the sheer amount of talent in the building each day is enough to blow the roof off,' she said on an Instagram post.

She also added, 'I have such a deep love for everyone who has touched this production, and I cannot wait to bring it to you at the Palladium tonight as we open for the masses. I never thought I would get to live my dream this way. Surrounded by the most amazing people. I feel so held.'