“West Side Story” actress Rita Moreno defended “In The Heights” producer Lin-Manuel Miranda when he was criticized for underrepresenting the dark-skinned, Afro-Latino population in his new film. Now she’s backtracking.
“You can never do right, it seems,” she told Stephen Colbert during a Tuesday night appearance on his show. “This is the man who literally has brought Latino-ness and Puerto Rican-ness to America. I couldn’t do it. I’d love to say I did but I couldn’t. Lin-Manuel has done that really single-handedly.”
The “Late Show” host asked if she thought the criticism of the movie was unfounded, or if the attack on her collaborator had her upset.
“Well, I’m simply saying, can’t you just wait a while and leave it alone?” she said. “There’s a lot of people who are Puerto Rican who are also from Guatemala who are dark and who are also fair. We are all colors in Puerto Rico. This is how it is. It would be so nice if they hadn’t come up with that and left it alone, just for now. They’re really attacking the wrong person.”
Miranda himself released a lengthy apology on Monday that he was “accountable” for the movie’s shortcomings and was “dedicated to the learning and evolving we all have to do to make sure we are honoring our diverse and vibrant community.”
It’s unclear if Miranda spoke to Moreno about defending him, but a day later, she apologized for being “dismissive of black lives.”
“I’m incredibly disappointed with myself,” she wrote on Twitter. “While making a statement in defense of Lin-Manuel Miranda on the Colbert Show last night, I was clearly dismissive of black lives that matter in our Latin community. It is so easy to forget how celebration for some is lament for others.”
She lauded Miranda for his own apology. In addition to applauding Lin for his wonderful movie version of In The Heights, let me add my appreciation for his sensitivity and resolve to be more inclusive of the Afro-Latino community going forward.” She concluded. “See, you CAN teach this old dog new tricks.”
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F these “people.” Keep apologizing you morons. You just look weak.
Weak?? Freaking ass kissers.
I just posted, but as usual they’re holding it. Let’s cancel all these freaks out.
I can only shake my head. How have we come to this? There are no two people on the face of this earth who have the same skin color. Why are we letting the liberals (who like to call themselves “progressives”) dictate what we think and how we express ourselves. I fully agree with what Rita Moreno said — the first time. I am sickened that she let the uncalled for pressure cause her to apologize. For what? For expressing an opinion? When I was in school (granted it was many, many years ago) I was taught that in the United States of America we have the wonderful gift of free speech. We could say anything that came to mind and if it offended someone, they could take umbrage and we could discuss it. Now if we speak our minds we get punished. Enough folks. Let is go. We have been “trained” to be independent thinkers and that is what we need to exercise.
This was all brought about, compliments of none other than BHOBUMMER!
Nobody is safe from these cancel culture monsters. Where did they get so much power that they can make anyone beg forgivenness and grovel for the slightest misstatement or so-called “misdeed”? They can, on a whim, destroy anyone they choose. Freedom of speech or of opinion is no longer tolerated by these power hungry commies. You must do as they say or your career will be over. Nothing is scarier than what is happening in our country today.
AMEN , Patrick Burke !
Oops Sorry Patricia !
The only “Race” we should be concerned with is the “HUMAN RACE” because it is the Sum total of all races and we will stand strong no matter how hard the present Non-Administration attempts to divide us as it attempts to conquer in its quest for Power
I agree. However, the elite blacks are totally out of control! I don’t accept that.
No need to apologize. If they don’t like it they can go hire all black actors and make their own version.Stop telling people how to spend their money.
well said
Hahaha, this is so despicable in every way. Not to mention incredibly stupid!
Cancel ALL of these people out, and problem solved. I DON’T go to the movies. Before pandemic used to ho to NY for a week. NO MORE! We really need to push back. This miranda guy is an absolute turd. From Puerto Rico, found success but couldn’t leave it at that. Had to stir the pot. Activism!
Ungrateful bastard. BOYCOTT this movie.
Nobody is safe from these cancel culture monsters. Where did they get so much power that they can make anyone beg forgivenness and grovel for the slightest misstatement or so-called “misdeed”? They can, on a whim, destroy anyone they choose. Freedom of speech or of opinion is no longer tolerated by these power hungry commies. You must do as they say or your career will be over. Nothing is scarier than what is happening in our country.
They’ve gained all this power, because, 95% of people are only followers. Five% of us are leaders. Stand up & defend our Constitution or you won’t have any say of any kind. If they don’t like what we say & do, let them get above it. Show them that they can’t control you. Weakness gets you NOWHERE, except, in the palm of their evil hands.
Just another person with NO COURAGE OF THEIR CONVICTIONS! Don’t they realize you can never please these people. Every time you too over and cower, they expect more. Well screw them. Stand up and tell them to F off!
We are all different colors in Puerto Rico – Has she even looked around the mainland U.S.?
I agree f these idiots, don’t pay to watch there TERRIBLE movies and plays. Hit their pockets!!!
never surrender never apologizing
The only reason the woke terrorist have any power is because the people give to their terroristic threats, if eople would just tell them to go to hell then they would not have any power.