Puerto Rican actress and performer Rita Moreno received backlash on social media after she defended Lin-Manuel Miranda in an <a href="https://variety.com/2021/film/news/rita-moreno-in-the-heights-lin-manuel-miranda-criticism-1234997867/">interview</a> on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” after Miranda was criticized for the alleged lack of representation in his recent project.
“Can we talk for a second about that criticism about Lin-Manuel? That really upsets me,” Moreno said to Colbert.
“You can never do right, it seems,” Moreno added. “This is the man who literally has brought Latino-ness and Puerto Rican-ness to America. I couldn’t do it. I would love to say I did, but I couldn’t. Lin-Manuel has done that really singlehandedly, and I’m thrilled to pieces and I’m proud that he produced my documentary.”
Colbert asked, “So are you saying that while you may understand where people’s concerns come from, that perhaps it’s misplaced in criticizing him in this?”
“Well, I’m simply saying, can’t you just wait a while and leave it alone?” Moreno said. “There’s a lot of people who are Puertorriqueños, who are also from Guatemala, who are dark and who are also fair. We are all colors in Puerto Rico. And this is how it is, and it would be so nice if they hadn’t come up with that and left it alone, just for now. I mean, they’re really attacking the wrong person.”
As <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/lin-manuel-miranda-apologizes-lack-afro-latino-representation-heights-n1270824">reported</a> by NBC News, &#8220;&#8216;In the Heights&#8217; follows an ensemble, with the leads primarily being of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent.&#8221;
This is not the first time Moreno, whose <a href="https://apnews.com/article/e459db7aa67f4947bdfc26ab4724dcf4">skin was darkened with makeup</a> for her role in &#8220;West Wide Story,&#8221; has spoken admirably about the diversity among Puerto Rican people.
In a 2019 interview, she discussed the racial aspects of the famous 1961 film, saying, &#8220;Puerto Rico was colonized by the French, the Dutch and the Spanish and so we are many colors. I am one and I really resented it when they put very dark makeup on me because that’s not my color. I thought the Sharks should have all of their own natural colors. Some were dark, some were copper skin, some were fair.&#8221;
She added, &#8220;I remember one time saying to the makeup man who was making me up, ‘I really hate this color because this isn’t the color I am.’ And he actually said to me ‘What, are you racist?’ I was so stunned that I didn’t say anything. I didn’t know what to say. That’s really also how little people know about Puerto Ricans.&#8221;
Social media users went after the Puerto Rican EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner after her comments on &#8220;Colbert,&#8221; seemingly accusing her of taking the worse position because of her own lighter skin color.
As NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/rita-moreno-blasted-heights-lin-manuel-miranda-defense-n1271003">reported</a>, one user <a href="https://twitter.com/akgesq/status/1404983780125909007">wrote</a>, “I love Rita Moreno. Yes, Lin-Manuel has done whole lot. It doesn’t mean he couldn’t do better with representation for Afro Latinos. Why does the fair skinned always  say wait your turn to darker skinned people?”
https://twitter.com/akgesq/status/1404983780125909007
Journalist and CNN analyst Natasha Alford piled onto Moreno, <a href="https://twitter.com/NatashaSAlford/status/1405152554749763589">writing</a>, “Colbert even tried to throw Rita Moreno a line. She doubled down instead. This is how the status quo is preserved.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Colbert even tried to throw Rita Moreno a line. She doubled down instead. This is how the status quo is preserved. <a href="https://t.co/WOXJ0zAZCI">https://t.co/WOXJ0zAZCI</a>
&mdash; Natasha S. Alford (@NatashaSAlford) <a href="https://twitter.com/NatashaSAlford/status/1405152554749763589?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2021</a></blockquote>
Artist Bree Newsome <a href="https://twitter.com/BreeNewsome/status/1405011932399259653">wrote</a> on Twitter, “I love Rita Moreno but this is the opposite of it. We have had a century of movie roles being reserved for the lightest skinned Latino, Black &amp; Asian ppl. This is not breaking new ground &amp; there is nothing for dark skinned ppl to be waiting for[.]”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
I love Rita Moreno but this is the opposite of it. We have had a century of movie roles being reserved for the lightest skinned Latino, Black &amp; Asian ppl. This is not breaking new ground &amp; there is nothing for dark skinned ppl to be waiting for <a href="https://t.co/fAw9w1qn9g">https://t.co/fAw9w1qn9g</a>
&mdash; 🔥TURN UP THE HEAT🔥 (@BreeNewsome) <a href="https://twitter.com/BreeNewsome/status/1405011932399259653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2021</a></blockquote>
Moreno was not the only person to come to Miranda’s defense, however, as “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah told Miranda that he felt defensive on the award-winning creator&#8217;s behalf.
Noah <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/rita-moreno-responds-in-the-heights-colorism-criticism-1234968704/">said</a>, “I was like, ‘Lin does so much! We have black people singing on Broadway. Why are you doing this to Lin? You’re tearing down one of our own.’”
As The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lin-manuel-miranda-bows-to-the-woke-mob-again">reported</a> this week, Lin-Manuel Miranda received criticism from people who said that the film adaptation of his “In The Heights” stage musical did not include better representation of dark-skinned Afro-Latino people.
Miranda posted a <a href="https://twitter.com/Lin_Manuel/status/1404565413116141570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1404565413116141570%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fvariety.com%2F2021%2Ffilm%2Fnews%2Flin-manuel-miranda-in-the-heights-afro-latino-representation-1234996523%2F">statement</a> to Twitter, saying, “I started writing ‘In the Heights’ because I didn’t feel seen. And over the past 20 years all I wanted was for us — ALL of us — to feel seen. I’m seeing the discussion around Afro-Latino representation in our film this weekend and it is clear that many in our dark-skinned Afro-Latino community don’t feel sufficiently represented within it, particularly among the leading roles.”
&#8220;I&#8217;m truly sorry,&#8221; he added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
-LMM <a href="https://t.co/CHfdLgFUz3">pic.twitter.com/CHfdLgFUz3</a>
&mdash; Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lin_Manuel/status/1404565413116141570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Critics Slam Legendary Puerto Rican Actress Rita Moreno’s Defense Of Lin-Manuel Miranda: ‘Fair Skinned’ Always Say ‘Wait Your Turn To Darker Skinned People’

CONTINUE READING

The Unanswered Question At The Center Of The SCOTUS Idaho Abortion Decision

How The Pro-Life Movement Can Positively Influence Laws Surrounding Fertility Treatments

Why Supporting Pregnant Incarcerated Women Is a Pro-Life Stand

Why Children Need Parents To Put The Phone Down And Look Them In The Eye

Postpartum Depression And The Devaluation Of Motherhood 

Why Gen Z Is Turning To Dating Apps To Find Friends, Fight Loneliness

News and Commentary

Hollywood

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News and Commentary —

Critics Slam Legendary Puerto Rican Actress Rita Moreno’s Defense Of Lin-Manuel Miranda: ‘Fair Skinned’ Always Say ‘Wait Your Turn To Darker Skinned People’