Rita Moreno’s legacy as the first Latina to win an Academy Award and the only Latina EGOT winner is nothing short of extraordinary. Her career, filled with groundbreaking roles, defied the stereotypes that often boxed Latinx actors into narrow, limited characters. Moreno rose above being typecast as an indigenous woman with a strong accent or a dark-skinned, morally ambiguous character. She became a symbol not only of the Latinx accent but also of excellence, strength, and resilience, especially with the more nuanced roles she embraced in her later career.
Her story is a testament to the power of redefining one’s narrative. It’s a journey that many Latinxs—especially those living abroad—share as they carve out their own space in a world that often sees them through a narrow lens. Today, the Latinx diaspora continues to grow, and with it, the stories of struggle, transformation, and empowerment—including some of her senior roles as Lydia (in the remake of One Day at a Time) and Valentina (in Spielberg’s 2021 take on West Side Story).
At SOMOS, we celebrate these stories. We believe in the power of connection and community. We aim to elevate voices that, like Rita Moreno, have fought to redefine stereotypes and create spaces where Latinx people can thrive on their own terms. Here we have our own Moreno—Diego Moreno.
A Colombian working as a dishwasher at the Silvretta Parkhotel in Klosters (Switzerland), Diego Moreno doesn’t see himself as defined by his current job. Instead, he views it as a stepping stone to his ultimate dream—becoming a content creator. Diego’s story is raw, real, and unfiltered, which is exactly what draws people to him.
Diego embodies the essence of authenticity—a quality that’s reshaping digital spaces today. This shift towards “de-influencing”—an approach that values honesty, transparency, and real-life experience—is a reflection of the content Diego aspires to create. Through his work and stories, he aims to connect with other Latinx individuals navigating the challenges and beauty of life abroad—he has lived in Madrid his whole life, despite being from Colombia.
But there’s a deeper layer to Diego’s journey—one that many Latinxs can relate to. It’s the dual experience of loneliness and cultural discovery. On one hand, living away from home can be isolating. On the other, it opens the door to new perspectives, growth, and a broader worldview.
This tension between disconnection and expansion is one of the central themes of the Latinx experience abroad. Diego’s story is about finding connections—whether through online communities or personal relationships. It’s about embracing the beauty in our shared struggles and celebrating the moments of growth that come with being outside our comfort zones.
The Latinx diaspora is not just a demographic; it’s a movement. It’s a network of individuals with shared cultural roots but diverse life experiences, living and thriving across the globe. Since the 1980s, the Latinx population has grown by over 400%. While many Latinxs live in North America, our presence is felt worldwide—from Europe to Asia, we are contributing to the global cultural fabric in countless ways.
Despite this global growth, the challenges faced by Latinxs abroad remain complex. In the U.S., 75% of Hispanic adults report feeling lonely—significantly higher than the general adult population (58%). Loneliness isn’t just about physical isolation; it’s about the emotional weight that comes with navigating multiple identities, cultures, and expectations. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a call to action.
Loneliness is something many Latinx individuals abroad grapple with. Yet, it’s also a powerful motivator for community-building and connection. SOMOS is designed to be that bridge—transforming isolation into shared experience and loneliness into belonging.
The question that won’t go away: Is Rita Moreno related to Diego? No! But Latin America isn’t just a building—it spans 19.2 million km², where we are all connected as neighbours with our own microcosms, richness, and diversity. And while they might not be family by blood, they share a lot of common stories—much more than you might think. That’s what makes us hermanos in so many ways.
SOMOS is here to connect, inspire, and empower Latinxs living abroad. Whether you’re looking for personal connections or professional opportunities, there’s a place for you here. We are your digital “hut,” where stories are shared, roots are celebrated, and a community is built, more commonly shared than ever before.
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By connecting with each other, sharing our experiences, and building communities that support one another, we can create a better future for ourselves and future generations.
