Moreno recalled that she took issue with how the original West Side Story (1961) changed the skin tones of many Puerto Rican characters, including the Sharks and herself, to one shade. Steven Spielberg notably kept this lyrical change for West Side Story’s (2021) soundtrack, while also modifying some of the other issues with Puerto Rican portrayals that Moreno was uncomfortable with in the 1961 movie. After reading West Side Story’s song change, Moreno was able to accept the role of Anita with open arms, with her portrayal soon making film history. In this way, West Side Story’s Anita is powerfully embracing her heritage and home country, but still characteristically brushing it off in favor of the prospects of America. The new opening for “America” had Anita singing “ Puerto Rico, my heart’s devotion – Let it sink back in the ocean,” alongside numerous positive Puerto Rican sentiments in the song. In the Something’s Coming: West Side Story documentary, Rita Moreno explained that within a few days of voicing her reservations with West Side Story's song, she received a new script with much-improved lyrics. Anita’s trajectory within West Side Story was stipulated by the fact that she was profoundly optimistic about a future in America before quickly reinstating her faith in and defending Puerto Rico, but Moreno felt " awful" saying such ugly words about her home, which led her to nearly reject the role. As a Puertorriqueña herself, Moreno realized she couldn’t say such insulting words about her home, further lamenting that she couldn’t do that to her people. Island of tropic diseases,” and declared she couldn’t go through with the film if she had to sing these lyrics. Moreno's history-making role of Anita made her an enigma on the set of West Side Story (2021), but her impact never would have been possible had she not stood her ground against an anti-Puerto Rican insult in “America.” After getting the role of Anita, future Valentina actress Rita Moreno received the script for West Side Story (1961), which included the lyrics to arguably her most important number, “America.” Moreno took one look at her first line in the number, “ Puerto Rico. Related: West Side Story 2021 Cast & 1961 Character Comparison Guide By writing in the character having Moreno portray her, Valentina provides a clearer representation of West Side Story’s cultural legacy as well as a larger connection between the themes that matter as much today as they did in 1961. Alongside removing the Sharks' “ gang” affiliation and providing a more realistic representation of the diversity of Puerto Ricans, West Side Story (2021) made a significant creative change by writing in Valentina, a replacement for Doc, specifically for Rita Moreno. Other 2022 accolades include a BAFTA, Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and SAG Award.Ĭheck out her speech above and her backstage comments below.While Steven Spielberg was careful to declare that he wasn’t trying to “ fix” 1961’s West Side Story, he did make a few key changes that improve the legacy of his reimagining. After a busy award season and working on the Marvel film, she plans to take a much-needed vacation. She is currently busy shooting Kraven The Hunter in the role of Calypso, which she says has been challenging in a way she hasn’t experienced before. “So to anybody who has ever questioned your identity- ever, ever ever-or you find yourself living in the gray spaces, I promise you this: There is indeed a place for us.”ĭeBose spoke to Deadline at the MPTF The Night Before Oscar party on Saturday about how far she’s come, reflecting on serving as host of the Academy Awards pre-show last year when not many people knew who she was. “Imagine this little girl in the backseat of a white Ford focus, look into her eyes and you see an openly queer woman of color, an Afro-Latina who found her strength in life through art,” DeBose said during her acceptance speech.
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