The backlash against Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights, explained

In the Heights, the highly anticipated film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical, is stirring up strong reactions since opening in theaters and hitting HBO Max last week.

CNET reviewer Steph Panecasio calls the film a “high-energy love letter” to the Latino community, but some viewers have expressed dismay that In the Heights falls short when it comes to Afro-Latino representation.

Miranda responded to the criticism on Monday, posting an apology to Twitter: “I’m seeing the discussion around Afro-Latino representation in our film this weekend and it is clear that many in our dark-skinned Afro-Latino community don’t feel sufficiently represented within it, particularly among the lead roles.

In the interview with The Root, Jon M.

While appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday, Moreno, who’s Puerto Rican, commented on the criticism aimed at Miranda.

That reaction drew criticism on Twitter, with one person writing: “I love Rita Moreno but this is the opposite of it.

While making a statement in defense of Lin-Manuel Miranda on the Colbert Show last night, I was clearly dismissive of black lives that matter in our Latin community.

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