Mike Faist Interview: West Side Story

[@jocelynleyva1795]

I am glad to see our small community of Mike Faist fans congregated here

[@femal3j0ker]

LMAO same

[@olly-kai]

It's not so small!

[@evamarieee]

Was not expecting to luv him this much but here I am lol

[@jocelynleyva1795]

@@evamarieee LMAO same omggg

[@laurenc8282]

yay

[@jeannelucas3132]

There is a consistent smile in his voice. I like that.

[@judithmiller7021]

Mike is the 100pc standout star of WSS2. I've seen the original 1961 movie at least 50 times and nobody in this magical classic touches Mike's performance. He greatly disturbed me as Riff and his touching feral personna has stayed with me for days. I will definitely go see it again quite soon.

[@suzannebeaudoin5784]

Feral persona .... exactly!!

[@py528]

Honestly his performance was the redeeming part of the remake.

[@madeleinep.828]

I hadn’t had an actual “crush” on someone for a long time but now? Ohhhh my god

[@bwaycatherine]

here for mike faist nation

[@robsten80]

I could listen to him talking for hours.....I love his voice,his laugh, his hair, his thoughts,his profound love for this movie...he's the best 🤩

[@sarahcanovi6399]

Mike truly was a standout in this film. He really brought something special.

[@karlahamilton3826]

So happy for Mike! Did a little community theatre with him years ago. Knew he was going to go far with his dream. He's an extremely talented & great guy!

[@rebeccaarias.]

oh cool! what was he like?

[@karlahamilton3826]

@@rebeccaarias. Very much as he comes across here. Lots of fun, very easy to talk to. He was even doing choreography for us when he was a pre- teen.

[@rebeccaarias.]

@@karlahamilton3826 awesome

[@iluvlafferty]

I love how genuinely grateful Mike comes across for the West Side Story praise and his recollections of all the hard work put in by the Broadway cast, most of whom were doing their first feature film. Also that great part where he recalls how Spielberg did an impression of Harrison Ford ha ha

[@damienescobar1827]

This dude was phenomenal in West Side Story. A lot of people were talking about Ariana DeBose as Anita, but this guy as Riff was also captivating.

[@iamjayy_]

mikes voice brings me so much comfort i cant explain it

[@MeliFry]

I cannot stop thinking about his performance in WSS. Such an amazing presence, I couldn’t literally see anyone else when he was on screen. Ps: loved these questions, I appreciate the chatty interviews where everyone seems to be having a real nice conversation

[@vbplayer50]

Mike WAS Riff. An amazing performance!

[@lornademedeiros6005]

I love how whenever they ask what he's doing, he usually "Back in Ohio, just being with my family".

[@Arlathrevas]

I watched WSS three times just to see his Riff. Mike Faist stole my wallet...😭

[@judithmiller7021]

He's amazing what a fabulous new talent, he'll go far.❤❤❤

[@gaylehende9779]

he was the perfect choice for riff 😭😩

[@montanalee3560]

lmaoooo I wanna go again just cuz of that

[@esher1675]

i first got to see mike years ago when he was in newsies and i've loved him ever since. i'm so happy he's getting the recognition he deserves. he's such a talented actor, dancer and singer and overall just an incredible human being. hope he gets cast in many more things after this.

[@filmfangirls9163]

I love him so much. Give him his Oscar!!

[@AmyRobertsonVan]

100% deserved. I was so confused when I saw he wasn’t even nominated for the Golden Globe. How??

[@chinchilla2510]

he had the best performance in the whole movie. love him

[@davidthieroff9452]

He was excellent. Pretty much steals the movie. I've seen it six times now.

[@TimeIdle]

WSS was my first exposure to Mike Faist. And, boy, did he grab me! He's special. I'm glad Spielberg "fell in love" with him.

[@briellewithers1787]

he’s my favorite human on earth.

[@mermaidlagoon]

SAME

[@Nestor123057]

He's very good.

[@avaakazuba4777]

SAME

[@ilasides2271]

That us the most comfortable I have ever seen him in an interview

[@NouraH99]

OGs know him from Newsies he is finally getting the recognition he deserves 💘

[@rmcmariusable]

I finaly saw WSS yesterday and he was fantastic. I hope both he and Ariana get recognised at award time. So greatl to have seen them both in their respective Broadway shows and now stars in this beautiful film. As a long time WSS fan who has seen the original countless times and 3 different stage adaptions, job well done. Mike was a gritty and perfect Riff.

[@NancyGooGoo]

...to not "fall in love with me" - like that's even a thing! I mean, how can you NOT! LOL!

[@Yolanda_Ortiz]

I love his voice

[@mackdavy9281]

I love him. And he is the sweetest! Oh my goodness. So happy for him

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

Michael Faist gave such a truthful performance in the movie. I was blown away by his radiant quality. Nice to see he is genuine and modest. I hope he gets great offers from this.

[@blanchefan]

This guy is hard not to love--fine interview! And Mike--congratulations on West Side Story!

[@lucindaarmour4685]

He was the total standout of the film for me. He capacity to deliver Tony Kushner's brilliant script and his capacity to take the character of Riff to a whole new level, was amazing. When he was on screen I watched no one else. I am very interested to see where this leads his career.

[@leogavitt5419]

Perfect casting for Riff. Beautiful film as well.

[@patriciamortens3365]

You were absolutely amazing as Riff!!!! WOW

[@olgad.7882]

The best Riff I have seen and this film is the 5th WSS production I have seen. Oscar for Mike!

[@candacetangeman5307]

This guy is so real please let's see more of him

[@joanquatrano8023]

Best performance in WSS. Fabulous!

[@Andronicus]

What a charming, lovely young man. So looking forward to seeing his performance as Riff.

[@TheGothamite3]

He is perfect

[@abc92800]

im BACK again to this interview. hello.

[@ariana1798]

he looks like a charming man

[@libena1973]

He's my favorite actor in WSS., which I did not expect.

[@teresawatson9656]

Mike Faist you are incredible in the movie. Action packed and so emotional. You are so so talented. I have seen it twice. Even better the second time. Wonderful!❤🌲

[@lindaanderson1308]

He Nailed It !

[@nikolaosnikosjordan]

Mike Faist just stole the spotlight for me in WSS. 😗❤️

[@jennifer5512]

Great actor and dancer!

[@givinyouup]

I love him so much

[@aldoalantenor]

He did great and honestly, he is someone that I hope will win an Oscar! He looks like my best friend, but he is ginger haha

[@jbcali1274]

He was FANTASTIC i saw it 2 times already 💖💖💖💖💖

[@evemidge9675]

I AM SO IN LOVE WITH HIM

[@dajonzboy]

He was brilliant.

[@diavoorstelling6001]

Stand! Out! Performance!!!!!

[@delrey874]

He is such a great actor. No wonder he is booked for major films in the future.

[@pilartrujillo3790]

Truly talented 😍

[@peggymcdonald8297]

He stole every scene!

[@delicateivory9663]

Oh Mike Faist, how I love you

[@Sandraaa330]

I LOVE MIKE FAIST ❤

[@budorman]

Although Mike doesn't look like a real street gang type, I was surprised how good this kid was in that role. He was nevertheless a great casting, everything else about him was fantastic, his dancing, his energy, his body language, mannerism, personality, was definitely a good self confident and deluded sociopath punk and he deserved the academy award for that performance. I look forward to him being so cool in future flicks..

[@teresawatson9656]

You crushed it...

[@JamaicanRain]

It seems like his theater teacher was very instrumental in giving him that little oomph to his shine. I bet if people sent her letters via the school address, thanking her for helping Mike be who he is, she would be tickled pink, and rightfully so!

[@aldoalantenor]

HE PLAYED A REAL RIFF TO ME

[@caitling.6807]

the only man ever

[@danielmcdonald4717]

This dude is truly amazing and talented and blessed. On top of that he is charming and VERY cool. Break legs dude ! I.J.S.

[@abc92800]

He’s so cute and talented

[@abc92800]

hello to my weekly watch of this interview

[@mirandaschermerhorn5264]

This was a great interview and what a cool experience to work with such creative and kind people! I hope we get to see him in more shows/movies soon

[@abc92800]

Hello again to this interview. im back

[@emmakaplan7508]

It was honestly kinda cute when he called her Ash not gonna lie…😊🥰

[@sarahspr1ng]

what a cutie my god

[@Charles-nj2ef]

Good interview. You asked the questions I wanted to know.

[@JDZVideos]

Mike Faist

[@rdj1453]

I can see him as Fred Astaire more than Tom Holland.

[@maddielonge2003]

I think I have a school girl crush on mike

[@joycechi5005]

great interview too!

[@arrow_of_ravenclaw5155]

Good for him. He stopped smoking drugs now everything is alright

[@froggywuggy4701]

smoking *drugs*?

[@NancyArnstein]

a great director let’s you play !

[@abc92800]

Ah yes actual talent

[@joycechi5005]

he is such a cutie pie i adore him

[@camilamuller6490]

Te amo mike faist

[@nehakhalid9156]

Why didn't I discover him earlier?? Why?

[@EnterPoet]

Born to be.

[@janepiepes2243]

Oh boy..this has been part of my life since my Mother lost the tickets to the Original Broad way show in 1957~ Right getting on the - subway. they're n.ot in her purse..anyway ~haven't been to the movies in 25 yearS..But I was going to- +his...my husband says Riff stole the show. My sister inLondon say s. ....Remember, Shakespeare's Mercutio got the best lines....ah..geez ~ Janey

[@Nestor123057]

He hadn't danced in ten years! It seemed the opposite, like he'd been dancing for the past ten years.

[@TheMissingLink1]

Im so attracted to this man.

[@lovepower4899]

Huge crush 😍

[@kylahdorsey5211]

I do to I have crush on him and Kevin csolak too.

[@jedijones]

I would love to ask Spielberg about the deleted scenes in the Indiana Jones movies. Like why was the scene of Shorty seeing the Thuggee getting burned by lava removed? They'd be the nerdiest Indiana Jones questions he'd ever heard.

[@colourlessvoid]

After seeing west side story, we need to normalise casting Broadway/West end actors in movie musicals

[@naomimooney6099]

Man's a god

[@LeeBeeDeeTree51]

He does indeed look like a younger and blonder John Mulaney.

[@juliefrisk211]

Midwest guy

[@alyssandra9971]

i’m so in love with u

[@QueXLcior]

Kinda weird if I’m in a Spielberg movie I’d expect my family to run out and see it. You don’t have to fuckin like it, but I would expect you to kinda….give a shit…be excited for me…idk

[@AmyRobertsonVan]

I kept wondering how they didn’t fall through the holes on the pier as they danced….

[@janebarry-fraundorf4623]

If you get the 2021 WWS Blue Ray, or possibly regular DVD, they have INCREDIBLE Behind the Scenes footage for the Song "Cool", among lots of other Songs and vital parts in the Movie/Story! It's TOTALLY worth it and HIGHLY fascinating! For "Cool" they made real holes in the Wood where they Dance back and forth and play "keep away" with the Gun, but the actual holes with the Water showing through, are "Green-Screened out" so that there's no danger of falling through, Thankfully! It's still VERY realistic and "tricks the eye" in the BEST possible way! I wondered the very same thing when I first saw this Version last December in the Theater and even more so when I finally recently got it for an early Birthday gift from my Sister and could pause, watch this particular scene over and over and check for "clues", etc. and of course with the "Behind the Scenes" documentary of this INCREDIBLE highlight of the Film, could actually SEE and discover just HOW they did all the "effects"! WELL worth it!! Hope this helps!

[@raniariffat8094]

He needs to be in more movies im out of Mike faist content to watch

[@Brii2025]

The first time I saw him was WSS my best friend and I both thought he was amazing. Her words "OH MY GOD ITS SKINNY BOYS DANCING" in the middle of the movie. I had to bit my lip so I didn't laugh. she pulled out her phone and took a video and put 'SKINNY BOYS DANCING' on the video (she dosent body shame btw its a joke between us so dont come at me)

[@giulia__4523]

God bless all of u! God loves u! God is by your side! Turn to God for He wants to save u from sin and Hell! Jesus died and came back to life for us!💕

[@mill-e9771]

I love mike faist but can someone please give him his hair back?

[@MissPerriwinkle]

HE SHOULDA BEEN THE MALE LEAD.