Rita Moreno discusses Latino representation in Hollywood on October 11, 2024
- Rita Moreno discussed her experiences with typecasting and the lack of meaningful roles for Latino actors during a special on ABC News.
- Despite winning an Oscar for her role in "West Side Story," she faced challenges in finding similar opportunities in Hollywood.
- Moreno emphasized the need for better representation of the Latino community and expressed hope for future improvements in the industry.
In the United States, Rita Moreno discussed her experiences with typecasting and the challenges faced by Latino actors during ABC News' special "Latinos in Hollywood: Owning Our Destiny" on October 11, 2024. Moreno, who immigrated from Puerto Rico as a child, reflected on her career, highlighting the lack of meaningful roles for Latinos in film and television. Despite winning an Oscar for her role in "West Side Story," she struggled to find similar opportunities afterward. Moreno emphasized the ongoing issues of representation, particularly for women of color and older actors, noting that Afro-Latino actors held only a minuscule number of roles in a vast number of films. At 92, she expressed hope for the future of Latino representation in the industry, advocating for greater visibility and recognition of their contributions. The special aims to shed light on these critical issues and inspire change within Hollywood.