And the83-year-oldshows no signs of slowing down.
Rita Moreno:Oh my dear, how much time do you have?
We Latinas werent even recognized or acknowledged in my time.
Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images
If we were in the public eye it was because we probably committed a crime somewhere.
I didnt have a role model.
There was nobody for me.
Ive had so many wonderful things happen to me, but its a kind of reward for my effort.
And the only problem is that there are too many Hispanics who havent been recognized yet.
It kind of breaks my heart.
Youre going to be surrounded by a lot of fans at the festival.
What is the craziest fan experience youve ever had?
I said, What would you like me to do?
and they said Give some free tickets to a young girl whos a real fan.
And I said, Oh, thats so nice okay.
thinking that she would say two or three.
And she said 42 times.
I couldnt believe it.
42 times, holy moly.
Youve been busy this fall with promotion for yournew album.
Why record an album now?
Im a busy Puerto Rican!
You know what I call this year?
This is my year of rewards.
And Im about to be 84, for Petes sake!
He said, Listen.
I saw you accept the SAG lifetime achievement award andyou sang a cappella.
And we did this album!
Its really quite a marvelous record.
It has some pretty surprising things in it, songs that people dont even assume that I could sing.
Has there been any chatter of a Grammy nomination?
That is what Emilio keeps saying to me and I keep saying Stop it, stop it!
Dont even mention that to me!
Looking back, what has been the most hurtful thing someone has told you during your career?
Oh my God, how long do you have?
Its so amazing how insensitive people can be.
My agent sent me a wonderful part.
I thought, Oh man, Im gonna crush this one.
I worked like a beast on it, every nuance, every word.
Thats not the part we want you to read for.
And I said, Oh, whats the part?
And it was a three-line part in Spanish, of a Mexican whorehouse Madame.
The humiliation was profound.
And he said No, darling.
And I said No, you dont understand.
When I got to my car, I just got hysterical crying.
It was horribly painful.
Now youre working nearly non-stop youre everywhere.
Can we expect to see you back on Jane the Virgin this season?
Wasntmy charactersuch a modern b-?
I loved it I just loved it!
Im looking forward to it.
Youve earned dozens of awards, and youll be named a Kennedy Centers Honors recipient this December.
Which achievement are you the most proud of?
Its for a lifetime of achievement; thats whats so amazing about this kind of award.
Its not for a specific performance.
Its for a lifetime of work, struggle andla lucha[the fight].
Its very, very, very, very special indeed.
It had to be a Latino designer, so I called to [designer] Narciso Rodriguez.
Now Im really excited!
