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Legendary actress Rita Moreno defended In the Heights creator Lin-Manuel Miranda on Tuesday and appealed to those who criticize the film for its whitewashing to “leave it alone.”
In an interview with Stephen Colbert on “The Late Show,” the PEGOT winner addressed complaints that the film based on Miranda’s 2008 Broadway musical did not properly represent the demographics of Washington Heights, the community on which it is based. Namely, there has been a lot of backlash due to the blatant lack of representation of the Afro Latinx along with several fair-skinned and white actors, including Anthony Ramos and Leslie Grace.
Moreno asked Colbert if she could address the criticism about Miranda, emphasizing that it “really annoys me” and confirming that Miranda co-produced her documentary, “Rita Moreno: Just a girl who decided to do it.”
“You can never do right, it seems. This is the guy who literally brought Latinos and Puerto Ricans to America. I couldn’t do it. I mean, I’d say I did, but I couldn’t. Lin Manuel did it, really alone and I was Happy with the cut and proud that he produced my documentary,” the Puerto Rican actor told Colbert.
Tonight: Rita Moreno comments on the controversy surrounding her friend Lin-Manuel Miranda and his movie In the Heights. #LSSC pic.twitter.com/4cQcvviaLf
– The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) June 16, 2021
Colbert interjected into the question of whether Moreno meant the criticism was grounded, but perhaps the criticism on Miranda was misplaced and she explained to him, “Well, I’m simply saying, can’t you just wait a bit and leave it alone? There are a lot of Puerto Rican people who are too Guatemalans are black and fair too. We’re all colors in Puerto Rico. That’s how it is. It would be nice if they didn’t come up with this and leave it alone, just for now. They’re really attacking the wrong person.”
In response to Moreno’s remarks, several people – including within the Afro-Latinx community – said her views were “disappointing” and that “colors don’t affect her”.
Disappointing, uninteresting, and unsurprising all at once. https://t.co/0cIgVXBXWu
– Isabella Herrera (@jabladoraaa) June 16, 2021
The needle doesn’t change when a light-skinned Latina is asked how she feels about the need to represent a dark-skinned Afro-Latin.
Colors do not affect them.
But yes another disappointment from a much loved character. https://t.co/R2bPtJIyen
– Morgan Jerkins (@MorganJerkins) June 16, 2021
great yikes. https://t.co/tutRy5eKrg
– Lil Naco X (@fidmart85) June 16, 2021
She said people should shut up and wait.
“How much time do you want for your progress?”
—James Baldwin https://t.co/b7WkjmEgHu
– ValerieComplex on June 16, 2021
Let’s not forget, Rita Moreno had the darkest skin for her role in West Side Story.
What should happen is more Afro-Latino representation in Hollywood.
Colors have always been a problem in Hollywood and that’s why they need to be corrected now. https://t.co/BPt1LOnscK
– Simply Kris (@KrisHuston77) June 16, 2021
Moreno’s comments come after film director John M. Cho and Miranda himself spoke about the controversy.
Speaking to Phyllis Lyon of The Root about color criticisms in a video interview last week, Cho said, “I think that was something we talked about and of course I need to be educated about it. Ultimately, when we were looking at the actors, we tried to get the best people for these.” roles”.
He added that he thinks it’s “a really good conversation, something we should all be talking about.”
Miranda released a statement on social media on Monday, admitting he heard the “hurt and frustration” prompted by the film and said, “In trying to paint a mosaic of this community, we failed. I’m really sorry. I’m learning from the comments, thank you for uploading, and I’m listening.” “
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