Rita Moreno, a name synonymous with talent and grace, has already etched her name in history as one of the 21 individuals to achieve EGOT status – a rare feat of winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. But on Saturday Night, the 92-year-old triple threat added another accolade to her impressive repertoire: the Academy Museum’s Icon Award.
Presented with the honor at the ultra-star-studded Academy Gala by none other than Steven Spielberg (who directed Moreno in his 2021 adaptation of West Side Story and is also a frequent guest at her dinner parties where she serves her famous Mofongo), Moreno is ready to shine. Ahead of the big night, Vogue caught up with the icon as she was getting ready at her suite in the Beverly Hills Hotel, ready to step out in her stunning white Dior tuxedo.
“I talked to my stylist, Rebecca Ramsey, and I said, ‘I really would love not to wear a gown.’ Somehow, the night seemed to call for a pantsuit,” Moreno explains, radiating a confidence that belies her age. When asked about her choice of the Dior suit, her answer is succinct, “I think it’s so effing chic!”
Moreno’s infectious enthusiasm is palpable as she speaks about her acceptance speech: “It’s going to be funny; I always like to be amusing when I can—there’s always room for amusement. I’m going to surprise a couple of people and just show how grateful I am—because indeed I am. I’m not only grateful but absolutely surprised. There always has to be one thing you say that is memorable and I have that sentence—you’ll know instantly what it is!”
But the conversation isn’t just about the award; it delves into Moreno’s unique sense of style. She recounts how she loved the black wig she wore to last year’s Oscars, fondly recalling, “Somebody said that last year that I looked like Betty Boop! They were absolutely right.”
Moreno’s decision to go with a pantsuit wasn’t just a whim; it’s a statement. “Everyone wears gowns all the time, and there’s nothing wrong with that. And there are gorgeous ones to be had. But I said, somehow, this seems to call for a pantsuit. I would love a white tux, either a white tux or a red one.” It was her stylist, Rebecca Ramsey, who found the perfect fit for Moreno: a “completely rethought classic white tux” from Dior. “I’m so lucky it fit me so well,” she shares, adding, “It’s the perfect jacket, let’s say, for a petite woman. It is so in proportion.”
Moreno’s eye for detail is evident as she explains why she chose black shoes with her white tux: “The best part, to me—and I think it’s so effing chic—is that I’m wearing black shoes! That’s how they showed it on the runway. I’m wearing a white tux and I’m wearing black shoes. It’s supposed to be a white or silver, but it’s not.” This unexpected twist is a testament to Moreno’s daring sense of style, a boldness that has earned her the title of a true fashion icon.
Throughout the interview, Moreno’s humor shines through, as she confesses, “This is what happens at my age, near 93. Nouns are absolutely killing me—it drives me crazy.” It’s this self-deprecating humor that makes her even more relatable and endearing.
Moreno’s sense of style is a reflection of her personality: confident, witty, and unapologetically herself. Her love for chic fashion and her willingness to push boundaries are what make her a timeless icon, proving that age is just a number when it comes to style and grace. As Moreno prepares to take center stage at the Academy Museum Gala, one thing is certain: she’s going to steal the show, leaving everyone in awe of her undeniable style and charisma.