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Rachel Zegler hard-launched her romance with new beau Nathan-Louis Fernand in July 2025.
Us Weekly exclusively reported in July 2025 that Zegler was romantically involved with her Evita co-star after she “quietly split” from her boyfriend, Josh Andrés Rivera, in 2024. Zegler had dated Rivera for three years after they too met while working on an iconic musical adaptation — Steven Spielberg’s big-screen version of West Side Story.
Fernand and Zegler have made a few PDA-filled public appearances together outside of their nightly Evita performances in the West End, including being spotted kissing during Sabrina Carpenter’s London concert in June 2025. The Golden Globe winner went Instagram official with Fernand in a carousel of Instagram photos posted on July 8, including one where she’s seen snuggling with her new beau.
Keep scrolling for the lowdown about Fernand’s professional and personal lives.
Dance Pro
Louis-Fernand trained in dance at London’s prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School, where Amy Winehouse, Dua Lipa, Nicholas Hoult and Rita Ora all studied early in their careers. The professional dancer also trained at London’s Urdang Academy and performed with U.K. hip-hop dance troupe Birdgang Ltd prior to his West End career.
His impressive stage resume includes a starring role in the West End production of Magic Mike Live, in which he played the title character (or, “Magic Miguel,” as he jokingly called himself via social media.) Louis-Fernand had supporting roles in the West End adaptation of Disney’s The Lion King as well as the Shakespearean reinvention & Juliet. He previously toured the U.K. in a national production of the Michael Jackson-inspired jukebox musical Man in the Mirror.
More recently, Louis-Fernand spent a year as part of the ensemble of the Tony Award-winning hip-hop show Hamilton on the London stage. Prior to leaving Hamilton in late 2024, he reflected on the “amazing experience” he’d had reenacting the American Revolution each night.
“I truly can’t thank the people in that building enough for providing me with some of the best times both on and off stage,” he wrote about Hamilton via Instagram in June 2024. “I’ve made the greatest memories that I will always cherish. What a day!”
Aside from his stage work, Louis-Fernand has danced in music videos for former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson, Swedish House Mafia and Diplo, as well as appearing with Timothée Chalamet on the big screen in one of Wonka’s musical numbers.
Dance Isn’t Just a Profession
Louis-Fernand gave a rare interview to Broadway World in July 2024 to explain how dance became his life’s passion.
“Dance, for me, is the driving force of my life,” he explained. “[Dance] makes me feel unstoppable.”
The pro offered candid advice to aspiring dancers who may be intimidated by the tremendous physical and emotional exertion that the job entails.
“There is always something more you can give,” he insisted. “You always have one more run-though in you. … Remember to smile. There will be the tough days, there will be the tears. There will be the sweat and the strain and the aches and the injuries but never lose sight of why you started and why you carry on doing it. Because you simply love it!”
The Man Loves a Thirst Trap
Louis-Fernand keeps in top physical condition due to his job as an in-demand West End dancer — and thus is known for sharing more than a few thirst traps via his social media.
He flashed his abs in October 2024 to announce his return to Magic Mike Live, adding: “It’s good to be back!” He even shared a front row view of his six-pack abs during one of Magic Mike’s iconic striptease routines.
On another momentous occasion, Louis-Fernand’s biceps were on display when he joined the cast of Hamilton and he was once thrilled to flash his stomach in honor of “a day off” too.
Family Life
Louis-Fernand seemingly makes time in his busy West End schedule for his family, as evidenced by one very special Instagram post to mark his father Ian’s 59th birthday in September 2024.
Alongside a very impressive workout video with his dad, the dancer wrote: “If lead by example was a man. My father @ianlouisfernand has always shown me the way. Not bad for 59 either!!”
Behind-the-Scenes Romance
Louis-Fernand joined the West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s classic musical Evita prior to its premiere earlier this year.
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According to Evita’s cast bios, he works as a Swing on the stage production. In the stage world, Swings understudy multiple characters so they can fill in when one of the principal cast members can’t perform for any number of reasons. Swings traditionally earn more money per week than company members who only understudy a single role.
Zegler followed in the footsteps of numerous stage icons, including Patti Lupone and Elaine Paige, in portraying late Argentinian First Lady Eva Perón in Evita. The West Side Story actress has extensive musical theater experience, but Evita is actually her West End debut.
The couple’s whirlwind romance seemingly came about fairly quickly since Evita only started previews in June 2025, before officially opening on July 1 of that same year. Zegler and Louis-Fernand were first spotted sharing some PDA during Sabrina Carpenter’s Hyde Park show in London on June 6, and went Instagram official just one month later.
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