Rita Moreno Reveals Her Skin Was Darkened for ‘West Side Story’: ‘I Really Resented It’

While West Side Story launched actress Rita Moreno into mainstream superstardom, there is no thing about the experience that she regrets.

The 87-year-old recently spoke to the Associated Press and revealed that her skin was actually darkened to play the role of her Puerto Rican character, Anita, in the 1961 classic. “Puerto Rico was colonized by the French, the Dutch and the Spanish and so we are many colors,” the Oscar-winner said. “I am one and I really resented it when they put very dark makeup on me because that’s not my color.“

She added that she “thought the Sharks [a gang in the film] should have all their own natural colors. Some were dark, some were copper skin, some were fair.” The dancer recalled the time she voiced her concerns to the makeup artist. “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,’” she said. “And he actually said to me, ‘What, are you racist?’”

Rita was left “so stunned that I didn’t say anything.” “I didn’t know what to say,” she added. “That’s really also how little people know about Puerto Ricans.”

Fast-forward more than 50 years later and the actress will once again find herself on the West Side Story set, this time in the Steven Spielberg remake, where she will play the role of Valentina, described as a “reconceived and expanded” take on the owner of the corner store in which one of the lead characters, Tony, works.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself revisiting this seminal work,” Anita told Deadline upon learning she had been asked back to play a part in the iconic film. “And to be asked by Steven Spielberg to participate is simply thrilling! Then, to work together with the brilliant playwright Tony Kushner — what a glorious stew! I am tingling.”

There is no release date confirmed yet for the musical.