'West Side Story' stars Ariana DeBose and Rachel Zegler defend their remake
The original musical and film have been criticized for lack of representation in casting and hurtful stereotypes, and some critics have also questioned the new adaptation.
The first time Colombian-American actress Rachel Zegler saw the 1961 film West Side Story, she was enthralled by the Puerto Rican-born actress Rita Moreno twirling on a rooftop in a purple dress.
She recalls "turning to my mom and saying, 'Mommy, Who is that?' And it planted a seed. And that seed has been growing for 15 years now."
It was a similar story for Afro-Latina actress Ariana DeBose.
"I fell in love with the film when I was 7 or 8," she said. "And I loved the woman in the purple dress just dancing with furious abandon and great passion. And I
