Copyright manchestereveningnews
Strictly Come Dancing fans have issued a major demand for the next series of the BBC programme after Rachel Zegler’s performance on the programme. The 24-year-old American actress rose to fame when Steven Spielberg cast her as Maria in his critically acclaimed 2021 adaptation of West Side Story. Winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her work, Rachel was soon seen in the superhero action film Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Rachel’s next big project was in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, which was a prequel to the iconic Suzanne Collins’ young adult novel . While she’s been praised for her career choices, Rachel’s starring role in Snow White not only saw her in a reported ‘feud’ with Gal Gadot, but was dismissed by both critics and fans. Having made her Broadway debut last year playing Juliet in Romeo and Juliet alongside Heartstopper’s Kit Connor, Rachel went on to make her West End debut as the titular character in the musical Evita. The Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice production follows the wife of Argentine political leader Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón. On Sunday night’s (October 26) results show, which saw Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley sent home, Rachel performed Don’t Cry For Me Argentina. Helping Rachel out with the routine were professional dancers Nikita Kuzmin, who was in the dance-off with Amber Davies , and Luba Mushtuk. Joining Strictly in 2018, the Russian native quickly made an impression by winning the 2018 Children in Need special with Shane Lynch. Despite performing regularly in the pro routines, Luba didn’t receive her first dancer partner until she was paired with rowing legend James Cracknell the following year, going on to become the first couple eliminated. The following year saw Luba and former NFL player and sports pundit Jason Bell eliminated second before she was kept in the dance troupe for two years. Paired with Adam Thomas in 2023, where they were the sixth couple to be eliminated, last year saw Luba dancing with BBC presenter Nick Knowles , with the pair the third couple to be sent home. After seeing Luba perform while Rachel sang, many fans took to the Instagram comments of a clip from the performance to have their say on why they want to see more of Luba. @colinbrown7266 said: “I’m sorry Luba was the star of this! Listen to Julie Covington sing this ! She is amazing! No comparison!” @breedaburke67 added: “Fabulous performance by Rachel and a gorgeous dance by Nikita and Luba.” @elinorsmellinor wrote: “Luba MUST have a partner next year!” @karynjeanes stated: “Rachel has an wonderful voice but Luba and Nikita's dance was absolutely beautiful and memorable. An amazing dance.” @judi.hastings commented: “That performance was breathtaking @nikita__kuzmin amd @lubamushtuk dance was stunning .. and perfection from @rachelzegler watching it on repeat.” @heyjude4afc posted: “@lubamushtuk is such a stunning dancer. This Argentine Tango with @nikita__kuzmin was breathtakingly brilliant.”
