The young star of Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” remake is taking some much-needed time away from social media.
Rachel Zegler, who plays Maria in the highly anticipated new film, announced her temporary departure from Twitter on Thursday afternoon, explaining that “the internet has made me upset.”
The 18-year-old, who until now has been very active on Twitter, has recently faced backlash online from fans of her “West Side Story” co-star Ansel Elgort.
Late last month, Zegler praised Elgort on Twitter for his work on the film as production wrapped, writing that “falling in love with him was easy.”
The actress later deleted the tweet after many mistook it to mean the two were dating.
Following that, Elgort gave an interview with the Times in which he talked about his current relationship with his longtime girlfriend, ballerina Violetta Komyshan.
“I think we’ve been pretty clear that I want to feel free to fall in love with people and that [option] should be open but sexually it can be closed off,” he said.
In response, many of his fans attacked Zegler on Twitter and in her DMs, calling her a “homewrecker” and more.
“The fact that I have to say something is absolutely absurd,” Zegler wrote in a now-deleted tweet on Thursday evening. “But the DMs and the name-calling and throwing around the word homewrecker over me expressing genuine love I have for my coworker is heartbreaking and I don’t want any part of it. so peace, for now, I guess. be nice.”
RELATED: Ansel Elgort Talks ‘Magical’ ‘West Side Story’ Experience: ‘It’s Been A Dream’
Before announcing her Twitter break, Zegler also tweeted a joke about being single on National Boyfriend Day.
On Monday, Zegler addressed the backlash while covering Lana Del Rey’s song “hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have – but i have it”.
“Just… be kind,” she wrote in the video’s description. “There’s not much more I can say but just be nice to each other. be there for your friends. Be a friend. Be family. Be kind. Spread love.”
“Don’t assume, always approach the world with an open heart and open mind,” she continued. “My love for you all is undying. Love each other. Love you. xo.”
In the meantime, fans of the two performers will just have to wait to see their chemistry on-screen when “West Side Story” is released on Dec. 18, 2020.
