Rita Moreno looks back on the night she met the King of Pop. Then he tells her what he and his dancers did with her 1961 movie performance
‘I was flattered to pieces.’
Rita Moreno recently revealed a fascinating connection to the King of Pop, sharing how Michael Jackson took direct inspiration from her iconic performance in the 1961 film West Side Story. According to PEOPLE, the legendary actress and EGOT winner discussed this moment while attending the Día de Muertos Gala on October 27, 2026.
She received the Life and Legacy Award at the event, which focuses on educating the Los Angeles community about Latino culture. Moreno, who is 94, noted that she does not typically like to brag about her career accomplishments. However, she admitted that having Michael Jackson as a fan was a moment that left her feeling flattered to pieces. Moreno recalled that Jackson approached her to share his admiration for her work. He specifically mentioned her role as Anita in the classic musical.
According to Moreno, Jackson spoke in his signature high-pitched voice when he explained his appreciation for the choreography. “He told me that once when I met him… [in] that little tiny voice of his, and he said, ‘You know, we’ – we, meaning his dancers – ‘we loved all your steps and we used some of them in some of the numbers that I do because I admire you so much. I admire the choreographer’, who was Jerome Robbins,” Moreno recounted.
Moreno was flattered by the revelation
Hearing that a global superstar looked to her own dance steps for his own creative projects was a significant moment for the actress. She was genuinely surprised and touched by the revelation. “I was flattered to pieces. I said, ‘Really?’ He said, ‘Oh yes.’ He had that little high voice,” she added.
While the specific dance moves Jackson adopted remain a mystery, it is clear that West Side Story left a lasting mark on his artistic vision. His short films for major hits like Bad and Beat It featured dramatic confrontations and intense dance-offs. These sequences share a stylistic DNA with the rivalries between the Jets and the Sharks in the film.
Moreno has built a massive career over eight decades, starting when she was just 9 years old. Her resume includes legendary films like the 1952 classic Singin’ in the Rain and the 1956 production The King and I. She has secured an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony throughout her time in the industry. She also holds a Golden Globe, a Peabody, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In 2015, Moreno received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. When asked about where she keeps all these honors, she mentioned they are all at home. She has a dedicated room where they sit together, showing the scale of her long and successful journey.
Moreno is currently looking forward to a very personal milestone
The One Day At A Time actor is gearing up for her 95th birthday on December 11. She has already begun planning a unique way to mark the occasion. During the gala, she shared that she is hoping for a roast.
“We’re gonna have a dinner and, you know, I’m sure people will be insulting me all night,” she explained, per Entertainment Weekly. She clarified that it would not be entirely negative, as her friends will also toast her. “They can do whatever they damn want,” she said. “It’s just a wonderful way to celebrate, so I can’t wait.”
Even at 94, Moreno continues to find ways to keep life interesting and social. After moving into a new condo in 2024, she realized that she was feeling a bit lonely because her usual circle of friends was not nearby. She was used to people coming to her, but she decided to take a proactive approach in her new neighborhood.
The Fast X star famously made a new friend at a local supermarket by simply asking a fellow shopper to have lunch. The shopper was surprised by the invitation, but they ended up having a great time together. Moreno explained that she felt the person seemed lovely and she wanted to take a dip, as she put it. The Hollywood veteran has since expanded her circle by meeting other residents in her building. She describes these new acquaintances as marvelous and feels lucky to have connected with them.
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