The Hunger Games star Rachel Zegler reveals the unusual connection she has with Jennifer Aniston 😮

Rachel stars in the new Hunger Games film 🏹

James Barr, Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth and Fleur East
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 16th Nov 2023

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, the latest film in The Hunger Games franchise is out soon. And two of the stars from the new film Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth joined Fleur East, James and Matt on Hits Radio Breakfast.

Starring as Lucy Gray Baird in the new Hunger Games film, 22-year-old Rachel is making waves as an actress, having won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical, for her role in Steven Spielberg's adaption of West Side Story.

Several years ago, Rachel revealed to her fans the reason she's called Rachel. Explaining that she'd been named after Rachel Green on Friends, giving her an unusual connection to Jennifer Aniston.

So, we wanted to know if being named after such a famous actress inspired her to get involved in the showbiz industry, but it turns out not. "I think it's just a coinkydink (coincidence)," Rachel admitted.

"But uh yeah, I learned that when I was probably like eight or nine and there were obviously re-runs of Friends playing constantly on television and yeah, my mom... they originally wanted to name me Catherine, but my sister's name is Jacqueline and they thought it sounded too similar. And my mom just really loved the way that it sounded when people would say her name on the show."

Despite not being inspired by Jennifer Aniston, Rachel can be seen singing in the new film, and opened up about her first job as a teenager, revealing: "My first job was a wedding singer. So I did it to make money and then throughout high school, I feel like I didn't really have a social life cause I loved doing my job.

"I loved working on weekends and getting to sing for people, because it's the day that everyone's gonna remember for the rest of their lives. And you get to be a part of it in some kind of way, I imagine now it's really funny to go back to their wedding tapes and be like, that's the girl from The Hunger Games..."

The actress also revealed she'd considered singing again during the Coronavirus Pandemic saying: "Movies weren’t shooting, nothing was happening. I was thinking like it actually would be great if I got to go back and work at church would be so cool."

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is out on 17th November, featuring 'Can't Catch Me Now' from Olivia Rodrigo.

You can hear songs by Olivia on Hits Radio.

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Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth who star in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes joined us on Hits Radio Breakfast to talk about the new film, and how Rachel has an unusual connection to Jennifer Aniston.

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When is Fleur East on Hits Radio?

Catch Fleur East every weekday morning on Hits Radio from 6am. Wake The Fun up with Fleur joined by the biggest names in music, movies and entertainment.

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