Somebody told me once I wasn’t Latin enough, and that made me laugh.

Meaning of the quote

Chita Rivera, a Puerto Rican actress, shared a funny story. Someone once told her that she wasn't "Latin enough," but she found this comment amusing. This quote suggests that Chita Rivera is comfortable with her identity and doesn't let other people's opinions or expectations define who she is.

About Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera was an acclaimed American actress, singer, and dancer who won numerous awards, including two Tony Awards. She broke barriers as the first Latina and first Latino American to receive a Kennedy Center Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. With a career spanning over 70 years, Rivera made her mark on Broadway and in film and television.

More about the author

More quotes from Chita Rivera

It’s communication – that’s what theatre is all about.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

Beauty is not everything!

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

I’d like to get the word out there, the word has to be spread.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

San Francisco has just blown us all away. I also understand Angels in America didn’t do well there.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

I have been very lucky, I have only had one bad experience.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

We were taking collections for people with AIDS in New York around Easter.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

You take a plug and put it in a socket, and that’s what the theatre is-it lights up right away. You speak, and they respond immediately.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

After about 15 minutes, you feel that you’re winning them over.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

I’m not comfortable with just me, me, me. That’s boring.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

I have to make this love affair believable enough. It’s very European.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

I can tell you where my Tonys are. They’re in a beautiful place in my living room, in a glass cabinet.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

I was busy welcoming a new experience. I had never done a movie before.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

We’re going to Puerto Rico, where we’re gonna close. And we’re so excited, we can’t see straight.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

The show did go on, but came very close to not going on at all.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

Southern California, they have been amazing. They’re totally with us.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

I’m an old-fashioned girl.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

My hairdresser and I found ourselves shopping at Bloomingdale’s with nothing to do for days.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

Somebody told me once I wasn’t Latin enough, and that made me laugh.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

You can feel whether an audience is tightened up and pulled back. Of course the opposite is an audience like we’ve been having in LA, which is fabulous.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

Theatre is immediate gratification.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)

I’ve played American, Italian, Greek, French. I’ve been really lucky that way.

Chita Rivera

American actress, dancer and singer (1933-2024)