VideoAriana DeBose Says West Side Story Is Ushering in an Era of Afro-Latina Representation on Screen
The Golden Globe winner stopped by The Daily Show this week.
By
Dan Meyer
January 20, 2022
West Side Story star Ariana DeBose dropped by The Daily Show with Trevor Noah this week to talk about her performance in the film and the industry at large. Check out the interview above, including her thoughts on Afro-Latina representation in the movie and why it’s a good start.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunities to be seen, especially for artists of color. It feels like we’re all starting to have a different kind of moment right now, and most of our work is not only being seen but considered and valued in different ways. So, that’s really the heart of why I’m so excited,” said DeBose, who so far has earned a Golden Globe win, and nominations for a SAG Award and an NAACP Image Award, for her performance as Anita.
“Specifically related to West Side Story, my being Afro-Latina, that makes me especially proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish because we really are not represented on screen,” the star added. “I don’t think that any film is a perfect film but I do think the fact that my inclusion in this film works—We’re the beginnings of getting it right.”
The interview also featured DeBose talking about wanting to bring back variety shows, her scene partner Rita Moreno, and more.
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Check Out New Photos of Steven Spielberg’s Film Adaptation of West Side Story
Check Out New Photos of Steven Spielberg’s Film Adaptation of West Side Story
26 PHOTOS
West Side Story
Cast ofWest Side Story
Mike Faist and Ansel Elgort in West Side Story
Rachel Zegler in West Side Story
Mike Faist and cast in West Side Story
20th Century Studios
David Alvarez in West Side Story
Nikko Tavernise
Rachel Zegler in West Side Story
Ariana DeBose in West Side Story
Ilda Mason, Ariana DeBose, and Ana Isabelle in West Side Story
Niko Tavernise
Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort in West Side Story
David Alvarez in West Side Story
Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in West Side Story
Rachel Zegler in West Side Story
20th Century Studios
Ansel Elgort in West Side Story
Ansel Elgort in West Side Story
Mike Faist in West Side Story
Cast of West Side Story
Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in West Side Story
Nikko Tavernise
Rachel Zegler in West Side Story
Nikko Tavernise
Ansel Elgort in West Side Story
Ariana DeBose and cast of West Side Story
Nikko Tavernise
Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, and cast of West Side Story
Nikko Tavernise
David Alvarez and cast of West Side Story
Rita Moreno in West Side Story
Nikko Tavernise
Rita Moreno in West Side Story
Steven Spielberg and Rita Moreno in West Side Story
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