The West Side Story Cast: Where Are Spielberg's Stars Now And The Shocking Controversy That Shook The Film
Contents
The Principal Cast: Biographies and Latest Projects
The ensemble for the 2021 adaptation was a masterful mix of Broadway veterans, cinematic legends, and complete newcomers, each bringing a powerful new dimension to the beloved characters from the Upper West Side rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks.- Rachel Zegler (María)
- Born: May 3, 2001 (Hackensack, New Jersey)
- Role: María, a young Puerto Rican woman and the sister of Sharks leader Bernardo.
- Career Highlights: Zegler was only 17 when cast from an open call of over 30,000 applicants. She won a Golden Globe for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for her film debut.
- Latest Updates: Her career has skyrocketed, starring as Lucy Gray Baird in the *Hunger Games* prequel, *The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* (2023). She is set to star as the titular character in Disney's live-action *Snow White* and has been cast to portray music icon Gloria Estefan in an upcoming biopic.
- Ariana DeBose (Anita)
- Born: January 25, 1991 (Wilmington, North Carolina)
- Role: Anita, Bernardo's girlfriend and María's confidante.
- Career Highlights: A Broadway powerhouse, known for her roles in *Hamilton* (The Bullet) and *Summer: The Donna Summer Musical* (Tony Award nomination). Her performance in *West Side Story* earned her the Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.
- Latest Updates: DeBose has become an iconic figure in Hollywood, hosting the Tony Awards and starring in films like *Argylle* and the Disney animated feature *Wish* (2023). She is a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ youth, serving on the International Board of Covenant House.
- Ansel Elgort (Tony)
- Born: March 14, 1994 (New York City, New York)
- Role: Tony, a former leader of the Jets and best friend of Riff, who falls in love with María.
- Career Highlights: Known for *The Fault in Our Stars* and *Baby Driver*. His casting was one of the most high-profile, bringing a level of established cinematic fame to the production.
- Latest Updates: His career trajectory has been complicated by sexual assault allegations that surfaced in 2020. Since the film's release, his most notable project was the HBO Max crime drama series *Tokyo Vice*.
- Mike Faist (Riff)
- Born: January 5, 1992 (Gahanna, Ohio)
- Role: Riff, the charismatic and volatile leader of the Jets gang.
- Career Highlights: A critically acclaimed Broadway actor, he originated the role of Connor Murphy in *Dear Evan Hansen* (Tony nomination). His raw, intense performance as Riff earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
- Latest Updates: Faist has successfully transitioned to film, starring in the critically praised tennis drama *Challengers* (2024) alongside Zendaya and Josh O'Connor, cementing his status as a major new film star.
- David Alvarez (Bernardo)
- Born: May 11, 1994 (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
- Role: Bernardo, the proud and protective leader of the Sharks gang and María's older brother.
- Career Highlights: Alvarez has one of the most unique backstories, having won a Tony Award at age 15 for co-starring in *Billy Elliot: The Musical*. He later quit acting and served in the United States Army for two years before Spielberg personally asked him to audition for *West Side Story*.
- Latest Updates: Following his powerful performance, Alvarez has secured roles in the television series *American Rust* and the upcoming film *The Bikeriders*.
- Rita Moreno (Valentina)
- Born: December 11, 1931 (Humacao, Puerto Rico)
- Role: Valentina, a newly created character who is the widow of Doc and owns the corner store where Tony works. She serves as a mentor figure.
- Career Highlights: Moreno is one of the few EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony Award) in history. She won her Oscar for playing Anita in the 1961 film.
- Latest Updates: Moreno continues to be a working legend, appearing in films like *80 for Brady* and serving as an Executive Producer on the 2021 *West Side Story* film.
The Groundbreaking Authenticity of Spielberg's Vision
The 2021 *West Side Story* was not simply a remake; it was a deliberate re-examination of the classic material, driven by director Steven Spielberg and Pulitzer Prize-winning screenwriter Tony Kushner. Their primary intention was to address the problematic elements of the 1961 film, particularly the casting and cultural representation. The production made a massive commitment to authenticity. All of the Sharks and their family members were cast with actors of Latinx descent. Furthermore, the film made the bold choice to have significant portions of the dialogue spoken in unsubtitled Spanish, a decision that Kushner and Spielberg fought for to respect the language and culture of the characters. This was a powerful statement about not catering to an exclusively English-speaking audience. The introduction of Rita Moreno's new character, Valentina, was a crucial structural change. As Doc's Puerto Rican widow, she provides a bridge between the two communities and an emotional anchor that the original film lacked. This role allowed Moreno to return to the material in a fresh capacity, moving beyond the shadow of her Oscar-winning performance as Anita.The Awards Triumph and The Shadow of Controversy
While the film faced a challenging box office run due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a competitive release schedule, its critical acclaim was undeniable, leading to a major showing during the 2022 awards season.A Historic Oscar Win
The film received seven nominations at the 94th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Spielberg), Best Supporting Actress (Ariana DeBose), Best Cinematography, and Best Sound. Ariana DeBose's win for Best Supporting Actress made history, as she became the first Afro-Latina and openly queer woman of color to win an acting Oscar. This also marks the first time two actors have won an Academy Award for playing the same character in two different films, following Rita Moreno's win for Anita in 1961. The film also won three Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Rachel Zegler, and Best Supporting Actress for DeBose.The Ansel Elgort Factor
The release of *West Side Story* was overshadowed by the resurfacing of sexual assault allegations against lead actor Ansel Elgort (Tony), which were first made in 2020. The actor largely disappeared from social media and public promotion of the film, creating a difficult promotional environment for Disney and the rest of the cast. This situation forced the conversation around the film to grapple with the separation of art from the artist. Director Steven Spielberg and the production team had to navigate this sensitive issue, which many critics and fans believe impacted the film's commercial success, despite its overwhelmingly positive reviews. The controversy remains a significant part of the film's legacy and is often cited when discussing the cast's journey.The Legacy and Topical Authority of the Ensemble
The *West Side Story* cast of 2021 is a definitive reflection of the film's enduring topical authority. It successfully bridged the gap between the classic American musical and a modern, culturally sensitive cinematic experience. The film's success is not just in its awards, but in the launching of a new generation of versatile performers. Rachel Zegler’s casting, plucked from relative obscurity, echoes the fairy-tale nature of her character, María, and has made her a genuine Hollywood A-lister. Similarly, Mike Faist’s transition from a highly respected "blue-collar" theater actor to a major film presence in *Challengers* shows the power of Spielberg’s casting choices. The production also served as a tribute to the original creators, particularly the late composer Stephen Sondheim, who passed away shortly before the film's release. The dedication to using the original 1957 libretto (adapted by Tony Kushner) and Leonard Bernstein's original score ensured that the core entities of the musical were honored while the casting and direction brought a necessary, modern context to the story of the Jets, the Sharks, and the star-crossed lovers. The collective success and diverse career paths of the *West Side Story* ensemble—from Oscar wins and blockbuster franchises to military service and navigating public controversy—ensure that the 2021 cast will remain a highly discussed and influential group for years to come.
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