"It Turned Out To Be Anita" - Rita Moreno On Finding A Role Model In "West Side Story"

The iconic Rita Moreno sits down with Stephen to talk about how her character Anita in the original "West Side Story" became her role model, and how proud she is to now be an executive producer on the upcoming "West Side Story" film directed by Steven Spielberg. You can see Rita Moreno and learn more about her remarkable career in the documentary, "Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It." #Colbert #WestSideStory #RitaMoreno
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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is the premier late night talk show on CBS, airing at 11:35pm EST, streaming online via Paramount+, and delivered to the International Space Station on a USB drive taped to a weather balloon. Every night, viewers can expect: Comedy, humor, funny moments, witty interviews, celebrities, famous people, movie stars, bits, humorous celebrities doing bits, funny celebs, big group photos of every star from Hollywood, even the reclusive ones, plus also jokes.

[@925209]

This is exactly what I want to be at 90 years old. She is inspirational.

[@WaterdropGirl]

Dude holy fuck I thought she was like 60

[@CeeGeeZ]

😎‼✌

[@calisongbird]

@•EllieeElven• She’ll be 90 in a few months, December 11th, 2021

[@mariajbrum]

Totally agree 🙏🙏🙌

[@kindspirit7]

90 in less than 10 days! Amazing! Never know it.

[@gayahithwen]

Rita Moreno explaining why representation matters. Whenever someone says "do we really need this character to be part of this group", remember this interview. Remember how she had never been allowed to play a character with true dignity before this. Also remember Whoopi Goldberg watching Star Trek as a child and seeing Nichelle Nichols on the bridge of a starship, and excitedly telling her mom that there was a black woman on TV who wasn't a maid. Seeing people who look/sound like you is important. Representation matters.

[@crysdee461]

It does! And it’s disappointing that she made that comment about Afro Latinos waiting their turn.

[@gayahithwen]

@@crysdee461 It is. No movie can be everything to everyone, but dismissing the concerns of people who *still* haven't seen a lot of positive representation is not how we improve. ITH is a beautiful movie for what it is, and at least they were *trying* to represent, even if they missed the perfect bullseye.

[@richardmayora5310]

@@crysdee461 Non Afro Latinos can barely get a job and we are the MAJORITY of the Latino community while Afro Latinos get to play African American roles. In the remake of West Side Story, the treasured role of Anita is played by a black woman....who claims to be a "bit" Puerto Rican.

[@Vejur9000]

Baya!!!

[@cappinjocj9316]

That was one hell of an entrance. You go girl.

[@swiftmeswiftie60]

The way she said hi to the entire band❤️❤️

[@fifermcgee5971]

They will vividly remember that moment for the rest of their lives.

[@laalaa99stl]

"People say that when you get to a certain age that you start to mellow. I have no idea what these people are talking about." -- Rita Moreno

[@cc1k435]

I want to be her when I grow up. 🤣😊🥰

[@thereallycool]

She is amazing "At fucking last." 89 years young, this woman rocks!!!

[@judithparsons1920]

What a class act!! Let us all be as vibrant- as radiant- “universally adored”! Amen!

[@ledacedar6253]

reminds me of Jane Fonda. Wow that was an Entrance.

[@BellaWorldAni]

That, my friends, is what we call an ENTRANCE!

[@rosearnold791]

Rita Moreno makes me proud to be a Puerto Rican born and raised in America. She is my role model

[@carolynworthington8996]

Love her!

[@margaritrodriguez5647]

My too, she so pretty and sexy still

[@seriliaykilel]

She is a freaking treasure -- Such an inspiration for Puerto Rican girls everywhere!

[@fatlacesthedon]

"At fucking last😒 ...[music] I know.. I know... I know I willl get bleeped... But I don't give a shit😂" that woman!

[@scooterbaby1]

Exactly!!!

[@BlueBaron3339]

When I first had a crush on Rita Moreno as a kid, little did I know it was a permanent and incurable condition. Sixty years on and I *still* have that feeling whenever I see her that I'm witnessing the most clever, most beautiful, and most utterly adorable women who ever lived. 😍

[@j.b.9260]

I have a crush too (and I'm 31).

[@BlueBaron3339]

@@j.b.9260 😉

[@j.b.9260]

@@BlueBaron3339 Crazy, but it's true.

[@BlueBaron3339]

@@j.b.9260 Agreed, JB...I sure as hell have never known of anyone with her eternal appeal. Makes me sad that Stephen spends so much time making fun of people just because they're old.

[@thewalrusaurus]

A literal living legend

[@fifermcgee5971]

A National Treasure.

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

Rita Moreno has been my hero for 51 years!!!! This was a joy to see. ¡Amamos tú a Rita! 😘😘😘🤗🤗🤗🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@Carolina-nc3jt]

this woman is the greatest thing the universe has created

[@Snaakie83]

Careful...I'm still searching for mine and Rita certainly can't be better than my future wife!

[@indigowolf556]

Amen!

[@yvonneplant9434]

She is still friends with George Chakiris.

[@thomaspatton3401]

Amen.

[@cadavra8]

Little-known fact: She's the last surviving cast member of "Singin' in the Rain."

[@sidratstudios]

As a child, I watched west side story to see Anita. She was the coolest.

[@smalls9852]

Agreed!

[@Sharyk808]

My favorite movie.

[@misspinoco]

This is by far the best opening on the Stephen Colbert show I've ever watched. Rita Moreno is a genuine entertainer who is I can hardly find.

[@geisalagordon9966]

Her entrance, her outfit, the way she greeted the band. Almost 90? She looks maahhvelous 😍🔥

[@FreeArtsakh2024]

May I say late show producers, that Rita Moreno was THE best show, BEST guest you EVER had!! #1

[@Qermaq]

She is like Betty White. Amazingly talented, amazingly funny, tough as nails and too old to give a shit anymore!

[@christelheadington1136]

My favorite teacher (English/literature), would go to NYC summers and see Broadway shows. She taught us Romeo and Juliet parallel with West Side Story. She brought in the album with the score. I LOVE,LOVE LOVE, everything about it, AND Ms. Moreno. I only wish I looked somewhere near as good now at 75, as she does at 89.

[@kinkle_Z]

Rita Moreno - GOD BLESS HER!! As a kid in 1961 I saw her in West Side Story when it hit the theaters and yay! She is still with us god bless her heart!

[@HeyDirty]

My favorite performance of hers was with Animal on drums, her singing 'Fever'.

[@56Jagman]

"That's my kind of wo-ma-a-a-an!"

[@jasonmarks80]

Yessss!!

[@stvp68]

💜💜💜

[@MrPolkaParty]

Such an amazing and beautiful soul.... truly one of a kind

[@smalls9852]

From the moment she entered the studio I had a smile on my face. She is a breath of fresh air. ❤

[@christinareyes2963]

I watched West Side Story as a child and totally fell in love with it

[@MsMiika13]

What a super gal. Star all the way. Always a true, absolute joy. & Just discovered- her birthday is the same as my mums!

[@mariekastler5391]

OMG!!!!! Everyone wins when we ALL live our best lives!!! She is SUCH AN INSPIRATION❣️💃

[@williamkittler]

What an absolute legend in every aspect. I love her spirit, her attitude, her bravery and even her hair! Thank you for being yourself and showing that one can be a success without being a monster. Two bleeps! I don’t remember THAT Sesame Street episode. You are the best Rita! Absolutely the BEST!!!

[@marimedgal]

Rita Moreno is a force of nature! What an entrance! What a woman! I can’t believe she’s 90 now... Absolutely unbelievable! ❤️

[@britneyisallyouneedtoknow2406]

Well that is the first time I've seen a guest greet everyone like this haha Man, she put me in a happy mood haha

[@michaelbillington8737]

I had such a crush on her when I was a teenager and, now that I'm 75, I still do...

[@hoozle]

What a woman. What legend. What an icon.

[@FilmArtPhoto]

Love her since the 60's... what an inspiration!

[@krokodyl1927]

Now that’s a magnificent entrance! All hail Rita Moreno! 👌👏

[@maniman-human227]

Still trying to pick my jaw off the floor after Rita Moreno said she's 89!

[@koraldavis3474]

She's so silly, sassy spunky and playful ❤️

[@devrasays]

I love her so much

[@williameichner7177]

Two days in a row tears of joy. Non-stop clapping. It feels like have come full circle.

[@stephanieortiz5236]

I’m happy to be puertorrican she represented us so proudly she such a treasure

[@richierich2547]

WOW A true legend. She is a real queen, a diva, a star. So many awards. She is almost 90 and she has so much energy. God bless Rita Moreno. A true National Treasure.

[@cc1k435]

For me, it was the Electric Company first, before I found West Side Story: "Hey, you guuuyyyysss!!"

[@nancykisser]

Loved her there, one of the tv highlights of my childhood ❤️

[@PuzzledMonkey]

Morgan Freeman was there, too!

[@bluegreenglue6565]

Yes!!

[@sydneyevans2637]

Youngster.

[@ruthwezeman6700]

Same for me 😄

[@SLAYERSWINE1]

PEGOT winner Rita Moreno. I bow down to her greatness. My late Mother loved "West Side Story"...

[@raphaelgort5499]

If we can grow old like her. I think we've all something right. This woman rocks

[@maudeboggins9834]

Hands up who does not love this amazing strong wonderful woman. She is a treasure & such damn fun. Bless her.

[@NewMessage]

I'd say that I hope to have moves like that at her age... but heck, I ain't got moves like that now!

[@marisolgarcia3123]

😅

[@snakearekat2634]

💀💀💀

[@margaritrodriguez5647]

Me too

[@suzannepottsshorts]

She was launched into my consciousness and will always be most beloved for singing Fever on The Muppet Show!!!

[@JiveDadson]

I've watched that a dozen times or more. "Cool it."

[@JiveDadson]

It's on KZbin!

[@mahaboskani4093]

Wow 🤩 I don’t imagine she is 89 years incredible beautiful woman

[@micheleolson9914]

She is a treasure!!! 💜

[@joharyramosseguinot]

OMG!!! So lucid and brilliant as always! Grateful and sassy! True royalty! 🔥⭐️❤️👌🏻👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🔥👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🇵🇷💪🏼🏆🥇

[@antoniothompson5514]

Now this is an entertainer!

[@deirdredraginoff3760]

I had the honor, pleasure and privilege to work with her at Berkeley Rep many years ago. She's not just an icon but as delightful, warm and kind as you see her on television. Just an awesome lady.

[@maurahobart8414]

She’s just plain amazing! What a great role model for growing older.

[@elbatorres6113]

What an awesome interview!!!! Great job, Stephen! Rita Moreno... we love you and admire you! Feeling so proud!

[@terri200]

Rita Marino is awesome! Such beauty and grace! Watched the West Side Story so many times! I hope I have her energy when I get to her age! Amazing!!👍👍👏👏🙏🙏

[@banba317]

Rita Moreno, you are the epitome of Class and Sass; Royalty without the pretentions! Still beautiful at 90 and looking like you'll be with us for many years to come! Te deseo lo mejor!

[@virginia6793]

Wow! She looks marvelous!

[@matthewmangum6320]

When you’re a legend like Rita Moreno, you literally don’t have to give a s**t about being censored.

[@themorales6]

Omg, that was delightful! I haven’t seen her in years. Didn’t know how funny she was!

[@vishortridge]

My 🇵🇷 heart is full. She is amazing!

[@lecture42]

Talk about an OG!!! That woman just tops all of them!!! A true legend!!!

[@cherylsibson2529]

Rita Moreno became an international role model well before it was fashionable and to the young women who watch a 90 yr old woman well ok then, that's how you do it.

[@mariahelizabeth_ent]

She's a legend! Love the glitter in her hair💫💐💯

[@eneobande7433]

She makes smile 😃

[@CallMeGailyn]

My mother and her best friend were (uncredited) extras in a movie that featured Connie Francis as a Bad Girl, and Rita Moreno also starred. My mother is 89, but in Memory Care. Rita Moreno has long been a role model, since her role as Anita. I am not Latina, but that strong young woman character resonated with me back in 1961, and as a senior now, I really adore her as a CURRENT role model in One Day at a Time on Netflix. Brava, Rita!

[@thanatosvita1671]

I agree 100%. She must be a role model for everybody no matter you are Hispanic, Anglo, Afro-American, Asian-American Native-American, etc.

[@michaelkaszynski7658]

What a joy she is. We should all aspire to have that energy at any age.

[@montananerd8244]

Gotta love a guest who goes straight into the band!!

[@Hollins23]

I cannot believe that this woman is 89 years young! Wow! I thought that she was probably about 71!

[@serendipityshopnyc]

Well, considering she starred as a grown woman in West Side Story in 1961, you had to figure 80 at least. Regardless, she looks phenomenal and moves incredibly well for, well, pretty much any age!

[@donwilson1625]

💃🏻 One dance is worth a 100 million words! Spectacular falls short.

[@marythomas1249]

She's amazing and I'm absolutely obsessed with her outfit.

[@carolynworthington8996]

Me, too!

[@sherodparkinson4003]

I nominate Rita Moreno for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert's "Best Guest of the year award".

[@nicolemendez3697]

QUE HERMOSA..EXCELENTE ACTRIZ..ES UNICA..

[@ISBuckley8]

She’s one of the few people who has ever won an EGOT and a Peabody award-if that doesn’t say how talented someone is, I don’t know what is!

[@juliegilleland7947]

I loved her when she was on The Electric Company. She is still the ULTIMATE in cool.

[@RaymondHng]

I saw Moreno at her cabaret act in 2000. After the show, we lined up to have her sign her new CD. I told her I thought she was going to sing the "Punctuation Song" (from _The Electric Company_ ) when she came out on the stage. So she sang the first bar of the song right there for me.

[@tommyt1971]

If she’s looking and seeming this good at 89, she’s gonna live to be 120.

[@wendivamusic]

She is an International treasure!!!!!

[@zizinnnn]

89 wow! she looks amazing!!!

[@Amudara5]

The band has always been fantastic but tonight’s Latin fun was exceptional!! Keep having Latin nights 🕺🏻

[@thechocolateboxpresents...9905]

I’m here to find out t he e name of the song the band was playing during her FANTASTIC entrance! What was THAT song???!!! Oh, and yes, she was:is AMAZING!!

[@anactaneustheeleventh2542]

Another PR’can pearl. Rita Moreno 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🔥🔥🔥 💎 💎💎🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🔥🔥🔥

[@Averysbrand]

A fucking icon!

[@tomaszstarzewski6459]

A true Legend !! No other words needed.

[@bluzcompany2293]

She is amazing, love her...

[@JonBlondell]

It's so nice to see her back in the spotlight!

[@michelledunn1389]

I Love Rita!!!! Role models of role models.

[@Danicalip8]

Awe we share a birthday! I love it!! I hope I’m just like her at 89 years old! Amazing! ❤️

[@daviddavid5880]

Still hot at 89. ("Fever" with Animal was *how long ago*? Geez. Does she have a magic portrait in a vault somewhere?) She looks amazing.

[@harleenhufflepuff340]

I see your Dorian Grey reference, my friend 😏 👉🏻👉🏻

[@chrisact9601]

Her version of "Fever" on The Muppet Show with Animal is, to this day, the most entertaining piece of television EVER!

[@johnmoldoch3338]

I always liked her.

[@johnmoldoch3338]

Wasn't she on Sesame Street ?

[@howards8535]

Wow! Iconic. Totally inspiring!

[@Richbydesignpullupj26]

Damn 89 and u move like that and still have that much energy 🧊🫀🫀♾

[@JV-sc2wr]

okay i never knew i could love a stranger more than i love this woman

[@Carolynnin]

Rita Moreno is a national treasure!!

[@mariejames3670]

Go Girl. “Fierce “ I see why Morgan Freeman adores her.

[@elli1961]

I read that Rita got to New York City as a young girl by way of her mother getting work as a seamstress and working in The Garment District. I can identify with that as My mother also worked in The Garment District and I was only 9 years old when we moved to New York City from Puerto Rico. Rita Moreno has been a role model for me for many years. Loved watching her appearance on last night on The Late Show.....I also love Stephen Colbert!

[@sierrahunterlewis7677]

To this DAY I remember the majesty of that performance of Anita ❣️ LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS LADY ❣️❣️

[@patricianocerabrandy4190]

True woman and I'm forever thankful

[@deltabilly1]

My grandparents knew her in NYC and my grandmother claimed they loaned her money when she headed out to Hollywood.

[@mikea69vette65]

What. A. Legend.

[@emilykeane9544]

I'm always really happy when guests greet John on their way in, it shows real class I think and not everyone does it....but Rita Moreno is in a class all of her own!

[@sydneyevans2637]

She's my new role model and I'm an old lady!!!

[@efuller3333]

We have to know about how she added the shimmering effect to her hair!