Qué Vida: Rita Moreno On Being A Latina Role Model

She’s a legend to Latinos, no doubt, but few know that Rita Moreno, 82, has led a life full of Hollywood lore. She was a child star (by age nine, Moreno had already performed in a New York City nightclub); had parts in big, classic movies (such as Singin’ in the Rain); had a steamy affair with a superstar (Marlon Brando was a great love); and has inspired the next generation of Latina stars. She reminisces about her career’s most pivotal moments in Glam Belleza Latina’s summer 2014 issue, out now.

Rita on her career-making March 1954 Life cover…

“It was very Latina.”

Rita on her 1962 Oscar win for West Side Story (a Latina first!)…

“I was so astonished that I’d won!”

Rita on her early typecasting…

“I hated the dark makeup, being barefoot – all of it.”

Rita on her small but mighty role as a call girl in 1971’s Carnal Knowledge…

“It was a brilliantly written and dark scene but very hard to do.”

Rita on one of her favorite icons, Elizabeth Taylor…

“I had no [Latinas] to look up to back then. It’s crazy that I’m a role model now.”