" lyrical text, sprinkled like fairy dust with Spanish words, begs to be read aloud."- New York Times Book Review on Planting Stories Informative author's note and timeline also included.Ī Spanish-language edition is also available. There, she fought to be seen and heard and eventually reached the pinnacle of success, landing her iconic role in West Side Story and, finally, winning her groundbreaking Oscar.īrought to life by Leo Espinosa's bold and vibrant illustrations and Anika Aldamuy Denise's lyrical text, this gorgeous tribute to the life and career of the first Latinx person to have earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award will inspire little dreamers everywhere. Working to overcome the language barrier and bullying she experienced in a strange new country, Rita eventually made her way to Hollywood with a dream to be a star. When young Rosita moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States, she didn't know what to expect-but she knew she loved to sing and dance. Pura Belpré Honor winner Anika Aldamuy Denise ( Planting Stories) and New York Times bestselling illustrator Leo Espinosa ( Islandborn) tell the story of Rita Moreno, the Puerto Rican superstar best known for her Oscar-winning performance in the original West Side Story film, in this gorgeous picture book biography. Learn more about Rita’s career on the PBS American Masters website.By Grade + Interest - K to 1st By Grade + Interest - 2nd to 3rd By Grade + Interest - 4th to 5th NYWIFT screened Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It in November 2021, followed by an exclusive talkback with Rita Moreno and director Marieum Pérez Riera. Rita, in her dogged determination to pursue her art has found peace and calm she exudes while being a movie star in every sense of the word. She has a great sense of humor and is gracious and elegant. When you see her and hear her talk about her life, you realize how grounded she is and how she has used her life experience to become a more fully realized person and role model for others. Learning the details of the obstacles she overcame is only part of the story. Today Rita emphasizes the value of therapy and examining herself and finding her value. A tumultuous relationship with Marlon Brandon resulted in an attempted suicide. Even with an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in West Side Story, she could not find work she felt acknowledged her accomplishments. Her challenges were many but as she says, her middle name is perseverance. That type casting would follow her for years. At MGM she was primarily portraying ethnic women from Indigenous to Hispanic. When Rita and her mother went to Hollywood to further her career, she looked as much like her role model Elizabeth Taylor as she could. She soon began dancing professionally and at 16 was the sole breadwinner for her family. Her mother was very supportive and as a seamstress helped her dress the part. Rita said she decided she wanted to be an entertainer as a young child when she saw her first movie. Smitten as a young child with the world of entertainment she was taking dancing lessons soon after arriving in New York City. Rita acknowledged that these challenges scarred her permanently, despite her very successful career. She and her mother arrived in NYC during the depression to a very segregated city that tried to teach Rita that she had no value. Born in Puerto Rico in the early 30’s, she came to the United States when she was five. She inspires by her energetic presence as she faces 90 but also by the challenges she overcame. Bush and the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama. Moreno was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. She has been well recognized for her excellence during her career, winning all of the major awards for entertainers Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony, the coveted EGOT. She is clearly dancing circles around me. I was humble to watch this film about vivacious Rita Moreno who was 87 when the documentary was filmed. I am lucky to be in good health and feel very energetic. I watched this documentary the weekend I was celebrating my 75th birthday. Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided to Go For It, directed by Marieum Pérez Riera, recently premiered and is available on Netflix and PBS. Past NYWIFT Muse Honoree Rita Moreno, who just turned 90, is an incredible inspiration in her tenacity and grace as she has pursued her career on stage and screen for almost 70 years. Ageism is alive and well in American and Hollywood, that’s not really a surprise.
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