As Hollywood’s illustrious award season unfurls its glamorous accolades, the spotlight shifts dramatically to reveal yet another surprising victor. Among the luminaries basking in the limelight stands Rachel Zegler, renowned for her role in The Hunger Games, who clinched the coveted title of Best Action Star at the prestigious People’s Choice Awards.
However, the announcement of Zegler’s triumph didn’t resonate harmoniously with all corners of the audience.
Upset fans expressed their dismay, adamantly asserting that Zegler’s win lacked merit when compared to the established prowess of iconic action stars such as Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves. Fans not only questioned the validity of Zegler’s win but also unleashed a torrent of criticism upon her acceptance speech.
The virtual landscape became a battleground where fervent admirers of Cruise and Reeves launched a barrage of criticism, questioning the validity of Zegler’s victory.
Rachel Zegler’s Stirring Acceptance Speech Sparks Fandom Controversy
Rachel Zegler surprisingly earned the prestigious title of Best Action Star at the People’s Choice Awards for her performance in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Zegler expressed her profound passion for the art of cinema and conveyed heartfelt gratitude towards her dedicated fans.
Zegler told (via NBC),
“I love movies. I love making them. And I am a fan of movies, and I’m surrounded by movie fans tonight and movie fans who voted and I’m 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 have made me feel like I don’t have to change myself to be chosen and I appreciate you so much.”
However, amidst the celebration of her achievement, her speech ignited a storm of controversy. Critics and fans took to various social media platforms to express their disappointment and frustration over Zegler’s win.
Additionally, her impassioned delivery during the acceptance speech was met with criticism, with some labeling it as melodramatic and insincere.
John Wick didn't die for this 😂 https://t.co/OtdbgY8xJL
— BossLogic (@Bosslogic) February 19, 2024
ssshhh she’s practicing
— valarie | yes, and? (@westsidemanii) February 19, 2024
so now she’s.. too grateful??
— ray⋆｡♚ & the olympians (@rayshonest) February 19, 2024
Many voiced their discontent with her perceived lack of deservingness for an action award, citing her character’s predominant focus on singing rather than traditional action sequences. The backlash extended further as fans questioned the decision to overlook established Hollywood action icons such as Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise, who were notably absent from the winner’s circle.
Keanu Reeves fell down 50 flights of stairs & kung fu’d the hell of a bunch of people & Tom Cruise road a motorbike off a cliff and parachuted away, but whatever…
— Brad P (@bcom77) February 19, 2024
I liked the movie quite a lot, but there is no reality where she deserved that over the action work Cruise or Reaves did in their respective films the same year.
— NDAndrew (@FrjalsiFenrir) February 19, 2024
So she won in an action category where she spends most of the movie singing.
— Luis Orsini (@Luis_Orsini) February 19, 2024
The snub of these revered figures in favor of a newcomer like Zegler left many bewildered and incredulous. In the aftermath of the controversy, Zegler’s victory underscored broader discussions within the entertainment industry regarding the authenticity of such awards.
Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise Remained Absent from the People Choice Awards Glory
In 2023, action enthusiasts were treated to an exhilarating array of cinematic experiences with the releases of Keanu Reeves’s John Wick 4 and Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible 7. The fourth installment of the John Wick franchise elevated the series to new heights, boasting the most elaborate action sequences yet seen.
Notably, a standout moment featured John Wick facing off against Scott Adkins’ formidable character, Killa, amidst the pulsating energy of a watery rave in Berlin. John Wick: Chapter 4 garnered widespread acclaim, hailed as One of the Greatest Action Movies Ever Made.
Similarly, Tom Cruise delivered another electrifying performance in Mission Impossible 7, showcasing his trademark commitment to performing death-defying stunts. Audiences were left awestruck by Cruise’s portrayal of Ethan Hunt, particularly during a spectacular motorcycle stunt that defied the bounds of possibility.
Despite their undeniable talent and the undeniable quality of their films, both Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise found themselves absent from the winner’s circle at the People’s Choice Awards. Fans expressed their disappointment and frustration over this oversight, with many voicing their discontent over Cruise and Reeves’s snub at the awards ceremony.
