Rita Moreno shares how 'West Side Story' changed her life

2 years ago 305

(CNN)Rita Moreno will beryllium back connected the large surface successful Steven Spielberg's adaptation of "West Side Story," adjacent month.

It's different milestone for Moreno, soon 90, who roseate to fame for her relation arsenic Anita in the original philharmonic movie successful 1961. Her show successful the movie besides earned her an Academy Award for champion supporting actress.

Moreno appeared on "60 Minutes" connected Sunday to speech astir the caller "West Side Story," her life, resilience and love.

    Moreno is besides 1 of the uncommon Hollywood stars to beryllium an an EGOT winner; on with the an Oscar from "West Side Story," she won an Emmy for her show connected "The Muppet Show," a Grammy from "The Electric Company," and a Tony for "The Ritz."

      She says she became a prima due to the fact that she worked harder -- and longer -- than anyone else.

      "I ne'er stopped rehearsing. In fact, idiosyncratic told maine precocious that they were a creation other connected the mambo astatine the gym scene. And 1 of the girls turned to her erstwhile we had 10 minutes off, and she says, 'Look astatine Rita Moreno. She's inactive rehearsing.'" she says, "That's what you person to bash to go a star."

      Rita Moreno shines successful  the documentary 'Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It'

      Despite her talent, she inactive had insecurities, she said, stemming from being raped arsenic a teen erstwhile she archetypal came to Hollywood and the racism she experienced.

      "I grew up filled with self-loathing due to the fact that I was a Puerto Rican. When you're little, you're told you're not worthy anything, you judge it," she said, adding, "I privation women to cognize that each the awards successful the satellite volition ne'er marque up for the things I person experienced successful my life. The be-all and end-all is respect and self-respect which took maine a agelong clip to earn."

      Moreno besides discussed her narration with Marlon Brando. Brando was joined erstwhile Moreno got large with his baby. She said helium pressured her to person an termination and she attempted termination after.

      "What I was truly trying to bash was termination that atrocious broadside of maine that kept going backmost to him. That atrocious pistillate who didn't respect me, who was me, different broadside of me," she said.

      Six months later, she landed "West Side Story" and the movie changed her life.

      "Anita, the 1 who had a consciousness of herself. A consciousness of dignity. And I had to represent that. And it felt truly good," she said.

        In the caller movie, Moreno plays Valentina, the woman of the precocious of Doc, the candy store proprietor successful the original.

        "West Side Story" volition beryllium released connected Dec. 10.

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