For almost any aspiring actress, a call from Steven Spielberg announcing she is to be his new leading lady would be a cause for wild celebrations.

But for 17-year-old Rachel Zegler, there was one question she had to ask the director before she accepted the lead role as Maria in his £120 million musical West Side Story: ‘Can I still do Shrek The Musical at my high school?’

She recalls that it was “one of the first things I said to my mouth”, and that he replied, “I produced the original Shrek. Of course, you can!”

Spielberg agreed to delay the start of rehearsals to accommodate Rachel – and it seems to have paid off as she is receiving rave reviews for her role, even being tipped for Oscar glory, while the film is being hailed as the director’s best in decades.

On the brink of global fame, as West Side Story opens this weekend, Rachel, now 20, has already finished her second film, the £110 million superhero blockbuster Shazam! Fury Of The Gods will play the role of Snow White in Disney’s live-action version of this children’s classic, which will be shot in the UK in 2013.

West Side Story starlet Rachel Zegler had director Steven Spielberg delay rehearsals for the £120 million musical so she could play Princess Fiona in her high school's production of Shrek The Musical

West Side Story starlet Rachel Zegler had director Steven Spielberg delay rehearsals for the £120 million musical so she could play Princess Fiona in her high school’s production of Shrek The Musical

Spielberg agreed to delay the start of rehearsals to accommodate Rachel ¿ and it seems to have paid off as she is receiving rave reviews for her role, even being tipped for Oscar glory, while the film is being hailed as the director's best in decades. Pictured: As Princess Fiona in the school version of Shrek she delayed Spielberg for

Spielberg agreed to delay the start of rehearsals to accommodate Rachel – and it seems to have paid off as she is receiving rave reviews for her role, even being tipped for Oscar glory, while the film is being hailed as the director’s best in decades. Pictured: As Princess Fiona in the school version of Shrek she delayed Spielberg for

She saw off competition from 30,000 other hopefuls to win the role of Maria, and the late Stephen Sondheim, who wrote the musical's lyrics, proclaimed she sang 'like a nightingale'. Pictured: Zegler and Ansel Elgort in West Side Story

For the part of Maria she defeated 30,000 competitors. Stephen Sondheim who wrote the lyrics said that her singing was ‘like nightingales’. Ansel Elgort and Zegler in West Side Story

Zegler grew up in New Jersey and still lives in the family home with father Craig, 59, who is of Polish descent and works for a construction firm, housewife mother Gina, 51, who has Colombian roots and sister Jacqueline, 23

Zegler was born in New Jersey. He still lives with his father Craig (59), who is Polish and works in a construction company. His mother Gina (51) has Colombian roots. Jacqueline (23) also lives in their home.

For the part of Maria she beat 30,000 others to be chosen. Stephen Sondheim (who wrote the lyrics) said she sings ‘like an eveningingale’.

Spielberg claims that Rachel singing Tonight at the audition tape made him cry. This was not only for himself, but also for everyone around.

The story of Romeo and Juliet is based on the 1957 musical. It was made into a musical for the first time in 1961. Maria has been hailed by Natalie Wood as her greatest role.

The plot of the film was inspired by New York Gang Violence. It depicts bitter rivalry between white Jets (and the Puerto Rican Sharks). Rachel was not raised in this world.

Growing up in New Jersey, she still lives with her father Craig (59), who is Polish and works in a construction company. Gina, 51-year-old, has Colombian roots, and Jacqueline (23).

Greg Liosi was Rachel’s drama teacher and spoke to The Mail Sunday. He said that Rachel had a special talent from an early age. She was sixteen years old when she appeared in The Little Mermaid at school. I looked to her mother, and asked her if her talent could be verified.

Natalie Wood as Maria in 1961's West Side Story

Rachel Zegler in Spielberg's adaptation

Based on Romeo And Juliet’s 1957 story, this musical first became a musical in 1961. Maria was one of Natalie Wood’s most memorable roles. Photographed by Natalie Wood and Rachel Now: Maria as Maria in 1961.

Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, her drama teacher, Greg Liosi, said: 'It was obvious from an early age that Rachel had special talent. When she was 16 and in the school production of The Little Mermaid I turned to her mother and said, "This is real, her talent, do you want me to call some agents I know?". Pictured: Zegler enjoying an ice cream, aged four, with older sister Jacqueline ¿ they still both live in the family home

Greg Liosi was Rachel’s drama teacher and spoke to The Mail Sunday. He said that Rachel had a special talent from an early age. She was sixteen years old when she performed in The Little Mermaid’s school production. Her mother asked her if she would like her to contact agents. Pictured: Zegler enjoying an ice cream, aged four, with older sister Jacqueline – they still both live in the family home

But her newfound fame has a flip side, with online trolls questioning why a Hispanic actress was picked to play Snow White. Pictured: Zegler dressed Superwoman

However, her fame is not all bad. Online trolls are asking why she chose to portray Snow White as a Hispanic actor. Pictured: Zegler dressed Superwoman

Posing on social media last year and, right, taking part in the online fad of eating Cheetos with chopsticks to keep your fingers clean

Social media last year: Posing with Cheetos and chopsticks, to clean your hands

Her Shrek castmate Devyn Siegel, added: 'She was always a very bright, friendly personality.' Pictured: Zegler starring in The Little Mermaid at school

Devyn Siegel was Zegler’s Shrek co-star. She said that she had always been a bright and friendly person. Pictured Zegler, starring as The Little Mermaid in school

Her mum however said that she wanted her to have a great high school experience. Her landing at West Side Story was a surprise. She said that she wanted to continue with Shrek. Spielberg stated, “Absolutely finish it,” and she was right!

Devyn Sigel, her Shrek co-star, said that she was always bright and friendly.

Her new fame comes with a downside. Internet trolls have questioned why she was selected to portray Snow White as a Hispanic actor.

The woman replied, “These people are faceless and you will never meet them in real life.” These people will not be able to approach you in Starbucks and tell you, “You aren’t white enough for Snow White!”

‘I’ve got a responsibility for young people in the future, who can say, “This Latina was able to play Snow White – I can do anything.”‘

Peter Sheridan provides additional reporting