“I was very aware of who Rita Moreno was growing up. I was like, 'She's one of the women who sort of looks like me.' But, she is a white presenting woman. We are both Latinas, but we're different in terms of how we walk through the world.”

American actress and singer

Ariana DeBose is an American actress and singer known for her award-winning work on stage and screen. She has received an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award, and has also been nominated for a Tony Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards. Her recognition spans both film and theater, and in 2022 Time named her among the 100 most influential people in the world. The available facts point to a performer whose career is marked by major industry honors and broad public visibility.