San Juan (EFE).- Puerto Rican actress Rita Moreno, the first Latina to win an Oscar, said in San Juan that she still feels “anger” at the difficulties faced by Puerto Rican artists to stand out in the United States.
The discomfort of Moreno, 91 years old and recipient of various awards for her career, arose from questions about how she could describe the evolution of Puerto Rican women in the diaspora from the character of “Anita” that she played in the movie “West Side Story.” at the moment.
“It is very important, because today, our country, our people, are still not represented. I do not know why. It still makes me angry, and fighting so hard for something small in a movie. I don’t understand it yet,” lamented Moreno.
Despite this, he appreciated the success that other prominent Puerto Rican figures have had in the world, such as the playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda with his works “In The Heights” and “Hamilton.”
As well as the boxer Amanda Serrano and Bad Bunny for having been the opening act at the Anglo-Saxon Grammy Awards last Sunday.
But we always have to fight so hard, and why? It’s so humiliating,” Moreno added after the Puerto Rican actor, singer, and plastic artist Ektor Rivera unveiled a painting dedicated to her and that will be permanently in the lobby of the Antonio Paoli Room at the Santurce Fine Arts Center (San Juan ).
Rita Moreno, visiting her land
Moreno, who wore a shirt with the word “boricua” -synonymous with Puerto Rican- is visiting Puerto Rico for the presentation of the musical “West Side Story” at the San Juan theater.
The piece will be presented from February 9 to 12, and then on February 18 at the same cultural venue.
The actress also said she felt “very proud” to have “roots” from “this beautiful island”, from which she left as a child for the United States to develop her career in the arts, both in dancing, singing and acting. .
These skills helped her get her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the film “West Side Story” in 1962, and for this reason, they dedicate the musical to her in San Juan.
“I feel such deep pride in knowing that when I sing my pieces in this land, I know that there are roots, and I feel so proud, moved by this honor,” Moreno said about the work, which will be presented by Ender Vega and his company. BAS Entertainment.
Tribute to Moreno
And as thanks to his legendary career, the Puerto Rican actor, singer, and plastic artist Ektor Rivera unveiled a piece dedicated to Moreno, born in 1931 in Humacao, a municipality on the southeast coast of Puerto Rico.
Rivera, who said it took him five months to paint the work, admitted that it was “such a great responsibility to capture in a single image the extensive and successful career of our Rita Moreno.”
“Each detail has a symbolism,” Rivera mentioned, while saying that the piece consisted of four phases to capture Moreno’s life and career: a main image of the actress, her position as a sensual woman, highlighting her artistic career and What defines the artist.
“I am speechless”, were Moreno’s first expressions when he saw the piece.
“I really have to study this. I want to sleep here tonight. I want to look at every inch… I’m so excited and there are no words right now,” she added.