Rita Moreno Defends Lin-Manuel Miranda Amid ‘In The Heights’ Colourism Criticism: ‘You Can Never Do Right, It Seems’

NEW YORK -- For his sophomore album, Anthony Ramos wanted to go “sexy and dark” while adding an R&B vibe in honor of the artists who inspired him growing up.“Love and Lies,” released on Friday, follows 2019's “The Good & The Bad,” a “more autobiographical” effort, according to the “In the Heights” star.

NEW YORK -- The Tony Awards may be months away, but three groups can already celebrate: The Broadway Advocacy Coalition, “David Byrne’s American Utopia” and Lin-Manuel Miranda's ”Freestyle Love Supreme" are getting special awards.The American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League announced Tuesday that the three groups will win Special Tony Awards, given to productions or organizations that don’t fit in competitive categories.The Broadway Advocacy Coalition is an arts-based advocacy nonprofit

The Sparks Brothers, a documentary about a cult band by a brand-name director in Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Shaun of the Dead) hits big screens this weekend, a felicitous one as New York and LA drop most capacity restrictions in theaters. The film about musician brothers Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks premiered at Sundance this year, notching a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes — all of which could hopefully give the arthouse market some long-term traction through the summer

tweeted.The Puerto Rican Oscar winner continued, “In addition to applauding Lin for his wonderful movie version of In The Heights, let me add my appreciation for his sensitivity and resolve to be more inclusive of the Afro-Latino community going forward.

Rita Moreno jumped to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s defence amid the “In the Heights” criticism, and now she’s clarifying her statements.

Lights up on Washington Heights! Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s first Tony-winning Broadway musical, In the Heights, is set to jumpstart the careers of its fresh-faced cast members after heading to the big screen (and HBO Max).

Rita Moreno doesn't think that the recent criticism of her friend, Lin-Manuel Miranda, is deserved. Miranda recently released the film adaptation of his hit Broadway musical,, which received some claims and critiques of colorism. «It would be so nice if they hadn't come up with that and left it alone, just for now,» Moreno told Stephen Colbert on Tuesday's.

Rita Moreno lamented celebrities’ inability to please everyone while defending her friend and collaborator, Lin-Manuel Miranda.  The actress appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" Tuesday where she discussed her career and working as an executive producer alongside Steven Spielberg on the remake of the film that made her famous, "West Side Story." After dazzling the crowd by dancing with the host’s in-house band, the 89-year-old EGOT winner insisted on taking a moment to address the

only seen as extras and background dancers, despite the fact that Washington Heights, where the film is set, has large Afro-Latino population.The film, which Miranda produced and co-wrote with “In the Heights” playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes, also removes a subplot from the original musical that tackles the issue of colorism and prejudice against Afro-Latinos and Blacks in the larger Latino community.In response, Miranda issued a heartfelt apology on Monday, saying in part “”In trying to paint a

On Tuesday’s episode of The Late Show, Rita Moreno spoke out against criticism of Lin-Manuel Miranda that she said “really upsets” her.

Ellise Shafer administratorRita Moreno is defending Lin-Manuel Miranda and “In the Heights” following criticism over the film’s lack of Afro-Latino representation.On tonight’s episode of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” Moreno appeared to promote her documentary, “Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It,” and later brought up the “In the Heights” controversy.“Can we talk for a second about that criticism about Lin-Manuel? That really upsets me,” Moreno said to Colbert.Moreno is referring to

to social media on Monday acknowledging that casting for his latest project, set the in diverse neighborhood of Washington Heights in upper Manhattan, had lapsed into colorism, broadly defined as prejudice or discrimination against darker skin tones within the same racial group.

 Lin-Manuel Miranda is well aware of all of the criticism coming his way about the lack of Afro-Latino representation in his new film, In The Heights.Since the film--which is a movie adaptation of Miranda’s 2008 Broadway musical--dropped last week, fans have taken to Twitter to voice their disappointment surrounding the cast, which some think doesn’t properly portray the actual, diverse community that lives in Washington Heights.In response, the Lin-Manuel issued a statement on social media, apo

Lin-Manuel Miranda is candidly responding to criticism of his new film,. The creator and celebrated playwright took to social media to address claims and critiques of colorism in regards to the film's cast.The film, which takes place in the Washington Heights neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, has been touted as a celebration of the Latinx community.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is addressing critics who claim his new movie under-represents members of the Afro-Latino community. 

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorLin-Manuel Miranda’s joyous celebration of the Washington Heights neighborhood, “In The Heights” has finally arrived on the big screen and HBO Max… and also Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music and all other DSPs, for a soundtrack that soars just as high even without benefit of interstitial dialogue and sumptuous visuals.Adapted from the Broadway musical, the story centers on a bodega owner, Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who discovers his mom-and-pop stop-and-shop has sold a

The new movie musical In the Heights is out now and there are two moments that you should make sure to catch in the end credits.

Jon Burlingame editor“In the Heights,” Lin-Manuel Miranda’s tale of the immigrant community of New York’s Washington Heights, will be released on Friday. Its four Tony Awards for the original Broadway show included best musical, best original score, and best orchestrations for Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman — who oversaw the musical transition from stage to screen.