Rachel Zegler among nominees as The Stage Debut Awards shortlist is unveiled
Evita star Rachel Zegler has been nominated for Best West End Debut Performer at The Stage Debut Awards 2025, joining an eight strong public vote that also includes her Evita co star Diego Andres Rodriguez. The shortlist recognises first time West End performances across the season.
The Best West End Debut Performer category is the only award decided by the public. Voting opens on 21 August and closes on 14 September. The full lineup features Heather Agyepong, Samuel Brewer, Georgie Buckland, Tosin Cole, Emma Flynn, Diego Andres Rodriguez, Kat Ronney, and Rachel Zegler.
Love story Shifters leads the way for a single production with three nods, including writer Benedict Lombe for Best Creative West End Debut and both leads, Tosin Cole and Heather Agyepong, in the public vote category.
Best Performer in a Musical is an all female shortlist. The nominees are Leesa Tulley for Why Am I So Single?, Dora Gee for The Mad Ones, Megan Ellis for Muriel’s Wedding The Musical, and Eve Shanu-Wilson for The Phantom of the Opera.
For the first time, nominations span productions staged across all four home nations, reflecting a wider geographic spread of new talent.
The winners will be announced on Sunday 28 September 2025 at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London, with Julian Clary hosting the ceremony.
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