Ariana DeBose [1] is ready for the world to see her step into her role in the new West Side Story [2] film! The actress plays the character Anita (originally portrayed by Rita Moreno [3]) in the remake, which arrives in theaters on Dec. 10. On Wednesday, she stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live to discuss her new role and how much it means to her [4] that the new movie puts a larger spotlight on the Afro-Latinx community, unlike the original 1961 film.
"These are really large shoes to fill," she told Kimmel. "It's a role that means a lot to [Latinx] because it's how we get to be seen." DeBose also talked about what it was like to take on Moreno's award-winning role and how it's going to continue to open doors for others down the line. "Being Afro-Latina, I'm really proud I get to do this because this is the thing Rita gave me," she continued. "She let me know that I had possibility. There was the possibility of my success because she sort of looked like me."
DeBose added that Moreno was "the closest thing" to representation she saw as a young girl and that she hopes to inspire young Afro-Latinas as "the lady in the yellow dress with the red skirt." Check out her full interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live above.