Watching Rita Moreno on the set of an OprahMag.com photoshoot for the new flavor of I Mean solar day at a Fourth dimension, it'south hard to believe it's been 57 years since she get-go crooned "I like to exist in America!" in W Side Story. On a Feb morning nearly six decades later, she'southward but as graceful rocking a gray shag haircut and hot pinkish blazer as she was dancing in lavender tulle for the role that earned her an Oscar in 1962—the commencement-ever for a Latina extra.

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Now, Moreno is starring in the tertiary season of Netflix'southward hit serial One Day at a Time, a remake of the 1970'south sitcom produced by Norman Lear. This time, notwithstanding, the story is centered on a contemporary Cuban family, and Moreno portrays Lydia, a feisty abuelita who loves drama equally much as she does rehashing tales of her dearest Cuba. And presently, the extra will experience the definition of a full-circumvolve moment: Returning to West Side Story for an upcoming remake, this time as a new character, Valentina.

West Side Story

West Side Story

Though the Puerto Rico native says she never could have envisioned she'd have such a lengthy—and legendary—career, she's choosing to look at age as nothing merely a number.

"I don't heed saying that I'thousand an onetime lady—I am 87, after all!" she says. "But at that place'due south no such affair every bit besides onetime for anything. If you want to go and jump on a parachute, do information technology. Why would I ever limit myself because of a number? That's merely ridiculous. You lot accept only i life to life, and so I say: Live it."

Yup, Rita Moreno is exactly as total of wisdom as y'all'd look. Here, more of her wise words on going gray, dating at 87, and details on 1 Day at a Time and Due west Side Story.

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Lately, beauty has been all about embracing natural pilus, including your grays. What's your hugger-mugger to rocking gray hair and then perfectly?
"Information technology'south non that the gray hair is perfect—it's that the cutting is terrific. I like it because it goes up which helps lift the face. The ane thing I know about getting older is that you lot don't want to exist an old lady who's trying too hard to look immature.

I'm 87, and I can still be sexy!

You never desire to be an former lady who wears things that are too short. That'due south the big secret! Other than that, when people ask me how I still look so good, I say 'It's my Puerto Rican genes.' But it'south also knowing that even though I'm 87, I can nonetheless be sexy!"

I dearest that you lot wanted your graphic symbol Lydia in 1 Day at a Time be sexual, even though she's a grandmother, because off-camera, you lot withal want a sex life! What does dating look similar at 87?

Pink, Sitting, Furniture, Magenta, Blond, Chair, Photo shoot, Comfort, Folding chair,

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"I would rather eat glass than get married again. No way Jose, not interested, no interest whatsoever! But it would be wonderful to have a male person companion, to become to the theater, which is almost like a hobby for me. Not having that companion can exist very hard for someone my age. But I'yard very busy and my life is so full. Since my husband passed abroad, the love of my life is my daughter. She'southward my date whenever I go to events. You'll see her on every cerise carpet."

Don't let anyone spoil your vision of what your life should exist.

How take you brought whatever of your own experiences to your One Twenty-four hour period at a Time character, Lydia?
"Not a lot, though I tin can chronicle to her knowing what it's like leaving your home and coming here—for me, it was leaving Puerto Rico with my Mami when I came to New York. It was in the heart of winter in February, and information technology was freezing, I saw something I'd never seen earlier: Trees without leaves! I said 'Mami, Que es eso?' And my mom said: 'It's called winter.'

But Lydia's life is her own story, a lot of information technology is inspired by our showrunner Gloria's family unit and their story. And every episode when Lydia talks near leaving Cuba, I cry. There'south 1 episode where she says that her female parent made her dresses and put them inside each other so she would have a few dresses to go with her to America, and every time I said the words, I couldn't stop crying."

Lydia is such an incredible character. Information technology's also such great news that y'all're going to be in the reboot of West Side Story . What are yous nigh excited near?
"Everything! I'yard excited that I'm in it, information technology's very full circumvolve. Do you know what function I'thou playing? There's no 'Dr.' character anymore, I'grand at present his wife, Valentina. I may sing a vocal, simply I'thousand not sure about that yet because the studio has asked me not to say anything. So my lips are sealed from hither."

You've congenital not just a legendary career, just a legacy. What advice would you give to Rita Moreno when she was just starting out as an extra?
"I would advise her to do exactly what I did, which is one fiddling word: Perseverar. Persevere. Don't let everyone tell you lot what is good for you. Don't let anyone spoil your vision of what your life should be. Y'all know best, and you volition persevere."

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