Rachel Zegler got the nod at the People’s Choice Awards for her leading role in ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes.’ It’s worth noting that Ziegler was up against some serious competition, including her own co-star Viola Davis, and others like Tom Cruise in ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning,’ and Gal Gadot in ‘Heart Of Stone.’
During her acceptance speech, Zegler shared her feelings about being part of the movie world by saying:
“Thank you. I love movies, I love making them, and I am a fan of movies, and I am surrounded by movie fans tonight, and movie fans who voted, and I am so thankful to everyone who’s ever bought a ticket and watched something that so many people have made. For so long in this business, I didn’t think I fit in, but tonight, you made me feel like I don’t have to change myself to be chosen, and I appreciate you so much.”
‘The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes’ hit the big screen in November 2023, with Francis Lawrence, who directed three of the original Hunger Games movies, at the helm.
Her Thanks To The Crew
Zegler also made sure to shout out to the folks behind the scenes of ‘The Hunger Games,’ especially mentioning Lawrance and her co-star Tom Blyth, calling him her ‘best scene partner.’ The actress added:
“That being said, so many people made this movie. I just want to thank Francis Lawrence, our director… Nina Jacobson, our producer. My A-camera operator, Dave Thompson, because everything that I did in heels, he did a couple steps behind me attached to a gigantic camera. I want to thank Tom Blythe, who is the best scene partner.
She didn’t forget to thank her life partner for his support:
“I want to thank Josh Rivera, who’s the best life partner, and my mom, my dad, and my sister, and Suzanne Collins for writing this character.”
She Had Another Nomination
Besides winning big, Rachel Zegler was also up for Female Movie Star of the Year at the event, whose winners are chosen through fan voting. That award went to Margot Robbie for ‘Barbie.’
The race for the category was packed with talent, including names like Viola Davis, Halle Bailey for ‘The Little Mermaid,’ Jennifer Lawrence for ‘No Hard Feelings,’ Jenna Ortega for ‘Scream VI,’ Florence Pugh for ‘Oppenheimer,’ and Julia Roberts for ‘Leave the World Behind.’
