The West Side Story Cast: Where Are They Now? 5 Stars Who Exploded After Steven Spielberg’s Film

The 2021 film adaptation of West Side Story, directed by cinematic legend Steven Spielberg, was a critical darling and a major awards contender, yet it remains one of the most fascinating box office paradoxes of modern cinema. Released on December 10, 2021, the movie introduced a dazzling, fresh-faced cast to the world, many of whom were making their feature film debuts. Despite its stunning visuals, powerful performances, and a historic Oscar win for one of its stars, the film struggled financially, grossing only $76 million worldwide against a $100 million budget.

As of December 2025, the careers of the main cast have diverged dramatically. Some have become global superstars headlining major franchises, others have cemented their status as critical darlings in prestige projects, and one has largely pivoted to television. This deep dive looks at the current status, recent projects, and biographical details of the key actors who brought the Jets and the Sharks back to life, proving that a financial flop can still launch a generation of A-list talent.

The Main Cast of West Side Story (2021): A Complete Biographical Profile

Steven Spielberg’s commitment to authentic casting meant finding actors who were true "triple threats"—skilled in acting, singing, and dancing. The following list details the core cast, their characters, and their key biographical information.

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• Rachel Zegler (Maria)
  • Full Name: Rachel Anne Zegler
  • Born: May 3, 2001 (Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.)
  • Key Detail: She was only 17 when cast as Maria, beating out over 30,000 applicants in an open casting call.
• Ansel Elgort (Tony)
  • Full Name: Ansel Elgort
  • Born: March 14, 1994 (New York, New York, U.S.)
  • Key Detail: Already a known star from films like The Fault in Our Stars and Baby Driver, his casting was the most high-profile at the time.
• Ariana DeBose (Anita)
  • Full Name: Ariana DeBose
  • Born: January 25, 1991 (Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S.)
  • Key Detail: A veteran of Broadway (known for Hamilton and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical), she became the first openly queer woman of color to win an Academy Award for acting.
• Mike Faist (Riff)
  • Full Name: Michael David Faist
  • Born: January 5, 1992 (Gahanna, Ohio, U.S.)
  • Key Detail: A Tony Award nominee for his role in the original Broadway cast of Dear Evan Hansen.
• David Alvarez (Bernardo)
  • Full Name: David Alvarez
  • Born: May 11, 1994 (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
  • Key Detail: A Canadian dancer and actor, he is a Tony Award winner for originating the role of Billy in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical.
• Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino)
  • Full Name: Josh Andrés Rivera
  • Born: May 1, 1995 (United States)
  • Key Detail: Like his co-stars, he has a strong theater background, having been part of the touring cast of Hamilton.
• Rita Moreno (Valentina)
  • Key Detail: The legendary actress who won an Oscar for playing Anita in the 1961 film returned to play the new role of Valentina, the widow of Doc and owner of the corner store. She is one of the few EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony).

From Maria and Anita to Global Superstars: The Ascendant Careers of Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose

The biggest career explosions from the 2021 film belong unequivocally to its two female leads, Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose. Their post-West Side Story trajectories have been marked by major franchise roles and prestigious awards, quickly turning them into two of the most sought-after young actresses in Hollywood.

Rachel Zegler: The New Face of Blockbusters

Rachel Zegler’s performance as Maria was a stunning debut, and her career momentum has only accelerated since. She has successfully transitioned from a musical star into a major blockbuster lead.

• The Hunger Games Prequel: Zegler took on the lead role of Lucy Gray Baird in the highly anticipated prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023). This role instantly cemented her as a franchise star and a box office draw.
• Disney's Snow White: Her most talked-about upcoming project is the title role in Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White, which is currently scheduled for release in 2025.
• New Comedy-Drama: In a move to diversify her portfolio, she has also been cast alongside Marisa Tomei in the upcoming comedy-drama She Gets It From Me.

Ariana DeBose: Oscar Winner and Action Star

Ariana DeBose’s win for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards in 2022 was a historic moment, confirming her status as one of the industry's most versatile performers.

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• Kraven the Hunter: DeBose is set to enter the world of superhero cinema, playing the villain Calypso in the upcoming Sony's Spider-Man Universe film, Kraven the Hunter. This marks a major shift into the action genre.
• Musical and Comedy: She has continued to blend her talents in projects like the musical comedy series Schmigadoon! (2021–2023) and the upcoming romantic action-comedy Love Hurts (2025).
• Return to Stage: In a rare move for a star of her caliber, DeBose recently returned to her roots in live theatre, starring in the off-Broadway production of The Baker's Wife, proving her dedication to the stage.

The Jets and Sharks Today: Where Are Tony, Riff, and Bernardo Now?

While the female leads dominated the headlines, the actors playing the male leads have also secured major, high-profile roles, with a focus on prestige television and critically acclaimed indie film projects.

Ansel Elgort (Tony): The Pivot to Prestige TV

Ansel Elgort’s career after West Side Story has been dominated by one major project: the critically acclaimed crime series Tokyo Vice.

• Tokyo Vice (2022-2024): Elgort starred as American journalist Jake Adelstein in the HBO Max series, which ran for two seasons. This role allowed him to showcase a dramatic depth beyond his previous film roles and was a major post-film project.
• The Controversy: It is worth noting that the film’s release and subsequent press run were complicated by past allegations against Elgort, which he has denied. His focus on the long-running series Tokyo Vice allowed him to maintain a consistent presence on screen while navigating the post-film environment.

Mike Faist (Riff): The Indie and A24 Darling

Mike Faist’s intense and nuanced portrayal of Riff, the leader of the Jets, earned him widespread critical praise and a BAFTA nomination. His subsequent career has focused on working with top-tier directors on highly anticipated projects.

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• Challengers (2024): Faist starred alongside Zendaya and Josh O’Connor in Luca Guadagnino’s acclaimed sports-romance film, Challengers. This role further solidified his reputation as a versatile dramatic actor outside of the musical genre.
• East of Eden: He is set to star in a limited series adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel East of Eden, working alongside major stars in a prestige television environment.
• Brokeback Mountain: In 2023, he returned to the stage to star in the West End adaptation of Brokeback Mountain, demonstrating his continued commitment to powerful, dramatic theater.

Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino) and David Alvarez (Bernardo)

The actors who played the leaders of the Sharks and the Jets’ second-in-command have also found success by joining major franchises and continuing their work with top talent.

• Josh Andrés Rivera has maintained a strong connection to his co-star Rachel Zegler, both professionally and personally. He was cast as Sejanus Plinth in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, joining Zegler in the massive franchise. He also appeared in the 2023 film Cat Person.
• David Alvarez, the Tony-winning dancer and actor who played Bernardo, has continued to pursue both film and stage work, leveraging his deep roots in professional dance and theater. His work as Bernardo was praised for its intensity and physicality, a testament to his background as one of the original Billys in Billy Elliot on Broadway.

The legacy of the 2021 West Side Story film is complex: a commercial disappointment that was simultaneously a critical triumph and an essential launchpad for a new generation of Hollywood talent. The film may have struggled at the box office, but its cast has unequivocally won the career lottery, proving that sometimes, the true measure of a film's success is not its gross, but the stars it creates.