Rita Moreno: "I Needed Someone to Believe in Me"

Making Space with Hoda Kotb

Rita Moreno has been an icon of stage and screen for over seven decades, making history as the first Latina to win an Academy Award for her 1961 performance as Anita in West Side Story. But life wasn’t always easy for Rosita, as she calls her young self. In this episode of Making Space, Rita gets real about the pressures of Hollywood, her troubled romance with Marlon Brando, and how — at 90 years old — she loves what she does now more than ever. Rita also shares about her path to creative fulfillment and self-acceptance, and reminds us of the power of hard work… Sometimes the impossible is just one opportunity away.

For more of Rita Moreno’s story, you can watch NBC’s special, “Inspiring America: The 2022 Inspiration List,” celebrating extraordinary people making an impact. You can watch it on demand on Peacock.

Rita Moreno shared a story about her attempt to take her own life. If you or anyone you know is struggling, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text TALK (8255) to 741741.