Rita Moreno Has No Plans to Retire, Wants to Work With Emma Stone and Speaks Out Against ‘Mentally Ill’ Donald Trump

As a seasoned actress with a career spanning over six decades, Rita Moreno has seen and experienced it all in Hollywood. Her resilience and determination have made her a beacon of hope for aspiring artists from diverse backgrounds.

At 93 years old in December, Rita Moreno, the esteemed EGOT recipient, continues to ponder a possible comeback on stage.

Occasionally, but not every time, I find myself missing it,” Moreno explains from her home in northern California over Zoom. “I constantly use Alexa because I adore music, particularly jazz. Every now and then, I’ll find myself joining in with the tunes and putting on a little show, and I think to myself, ‘Perhaps you’re yearning for this.’ There’s always a possibility that I might sing again, but dancing is out of the question. My knees would protest loudly.

She goes on to say, “While I’m cleaning a piece of furniture, I might set aside the cloth and start putting on a show instead. Performing is something I truly enjoy. I guess you could say I’m quite the drama queen.

Rita Moreno is nearly ready to receive the Icon Award at the fourth Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, happening on October 19th. On that same night, Quentin Tarantino will be presented with the Luminary Award and Paul Mescal will receive the Vantage Award. (Additionally, Rita Moreno is scheduled to appear at a screening of the original “West Side Story” at the museum on October 16th, followed by a discussion on stage.)

What comes to mind when you hear the word “icon”?

I think of people like Quentin Tarantino. He is a genius. There are certain people whose work I just adore. Along with Quentin, I also love Steven Spielberg’s work. When you think of the stuff he has put out, each movie is different. “E.T.” is one of my favorite movies ever. He’s a genius, too.

And Paul Mescal is only 28 years old.

The nerve of him – that son of a bitch!

What’s your advice for a 28-year-old in the business?

Are you joking around? For a change, I’ll hold my tongue. I’d simply like to say something casual like, “Hey there, buddy.

What has been your secret sauce for having this career and being almost 93 years old?

Isn’t it remarkable? It’s something I often ponder but never seem to find an explanation for. Usually, I just respond with, “You sure are fortunate.

That can be the title of your next documentary, “Rita Moreno: You’re a Lucky Bitch.”

That would be fun, wouldn’t it?

But it’s certainly not just luck.

Indeed, it’s much more than mere acknowledgments. Such expressions stir something profoundly personal and grave within me, transcending my limits. To express the intensity of these feelings during my acceptance speech would reduce me to tears for the duration, making a spectacle of myself. I must maintain composure and showcase Rita’s best qualities, which lie in humor. Humor is a gift I cherish; it gives me immense joy to make people laugh, to be found charming. I am not ashamed to admit that I have this ability.

Could you share what stands out the most from your very first day on the set while filming the original “West Side Story”?

Initially, I was incredibly excited, almost speechless. There was a significant opportunity that came my way – a part in “West Side Story” – and I leaped at it after several screen tests. Eventually, I secured the role and was overjoyed, thinking this could be a career-defining moment. Upon receiving the script, I found a problematic verse: “Puerto Rico, you ugly island, island of tropic diseases.” I couldn’t reconcile saying those words due to their offensive nature towards my people.

Is there a role you that got away that you really wanted?

It seems there were several parts available, yet each one ended up with Meryl Streep. Frankly, when asked if there’s a role I’d prefer, my answer is always, “Anything she played, really.

When are you and Meryl Streep going to do something together?

Oh, God only knows.

Who would you still love to work with?

Among these remarkable women, it’s either Julianne Moore or Emma Stone. Julianne Moore is simply exceptional in her craft. Emma Stone, on the other hand, never fails to astonish us. When an actress has the power to catch us off guard like that, it’s truly a testament to her talent.

Have you ever thought about retiring?

What does that mean? I have no idea what that mean. Retiring? Not performing? As long as I can make people laugh or make them cry as a performer, hell no, I’m not leaving. But not only that, I love what I do. And I love actors. I love artists. When I meet someone I admire, I get that stupid look on my face of worship. It’s genuine. I’ll give you an example. My daughter [Fernanda Luisa Gordon] and I went to the Vanity Fair Oscar party last year. We were walking around and I see Lenny Kravitz, and I said to Fernanda, “Let’s go over and say hello.” What I usually do then is say, “Hello. I admire your work. I’m Rita Moreno. How do you do?” I don’t ever assume that people know who I am. He goes to his knees. He goes to his fucking knees. And he not only goes there, but he stays there and embraces my knees. And he says, “You have no idea.” And he went on and on about how much he admired me, my work, and how much I mean to his people. And he is holding my hand and kissing it.

The last time we talked was when the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade. How are you feeling about the election right now?

Initially feeling down and then occasionally elated due to a remarkable event, yet uncertain if [Kamala Harris] has had sufficient time to show her full potential. Look at what she’s achieved in such little time, it’s astonishing. However, the future remains unpredictable. When I hear about Latinos potentially shifting their votes, I find it hard to believe. I can’t believe it. But there seems to be something about this man, a man who often acts in a reprehensible manner, that makes people perceive him as strong. Many consider his crude behavior to be a sign of strength. I feel compelled to shout to the world, “No, no, no, no. You’re misunderstanding that so-called bravado. That’s foolishness. Remember foolishness, everyone?” This individual embodies evil, truly. I believe not just this man, but his followers as well, I think they may be unwell. I am on edge.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

2024-10-16 00:47