Actress Rachel Zegler will be hitting the red carpet at the 94th annual Academy Awards this Sunday (March 27) after all.
This past weekend, the West Side Story star revealed that she had not been extended an invitation to attend the ceremony by the Academy when a fan made a comment about what she would be wearing to the event. “I’m not invited, so sweatpants and my boyfriend’s flannel,” she responded.
She added, “I will root for West Side Story from my couch and be proud of the work we so tirelessly did 3 years ago. I hope some last-minute miracle occurs and I can celebrate with our film in person.”
After blowback online because of the non-invite, the Academy announced on Tuesday (March 22) that Zegler would be invited as a presenter at the awards show, which means she and a guest will be inside the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood for the festivities. She is currently in London shooting her live-action Snow White movie, but reports indicate the production schedule will be adjusted to allow her to attend the ceremony.
As of early Wednesday morning (March 23), Rachel Zegler hadn’t commented on the news yet, but supporters were eager to share their thoughts on the Academy’s decision.
Other Latines who will serve as presenters at the awards show are Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, and Oscar nominee Rosie Perez, who had not been invited to the ceremony since landing her original Oscar nom 28 years ago.
The 94th annual Academy Awards air on March 27 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.