Rosie Perez is a New York girl who decided to make her mark in film and televison at a time in Hollywood when there were few who experienced any real success.
From the start Perez had strong words for Hollywood’s bigotry and racism starting with entering the industry in Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing.”
A Puerto Rican-American with a distinctive voice, the actress, singer, community activist, talk show host, author, dancer and choreographer defied expectations, going on to star in numerous films including “White Men Can’t Jump.” She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “Fearless.”
Here’s what Oscar and Emmy Award nominated Rosie Perez had to share about her 30+ years of working in Hollywood and receiving The Latinavator Award given by Hispanicize to Latina visionaries who are doing amazing things both in their professions and in life and creating a lasting impact in their respective fields and the Latinx community.
Amsterdam News: As a Puerto Rican was it easy to break into Hollywood?
Rosie Perez: As a Puerto Rican-American getting into the entertainment industry business over 30 years ago was extremely difficult. What helped me was that this was not my choice as a career; I was gifted by Spike Lee to be a part of Hollywood. So, I didn’t understand everything and so I didn’t care. The risk to me didn’t apply so I voiced my opinion regarding the racism and bigotry that existed then and unfortunately exits still to this day.
AN: How did it all start?
RP: I could not get a job to save my life. So, I had to keep pressing forward. I decided to leave college. I was majoring in bio-chemistry so I said I’m gonna do this and I’m gonna do this 100% and when I preceeded it (laughing) it was quite difficult. It was but I always said knock down those doors and if there is no door there, create one, and kick it wide open and that’s exactly what I did.
AN: What was it like working on Fox’s “In Living Color” created by the genius Keenen Ivory Wayans?
RP: Keenen Ivory Wayans was a fantastic boss. That environment was so creative and so inspiring and hard. We worked very, very hard. It also gave me an insight in regards to the behind-the-scenes, the inner workings on how the television world works and how corporate works within Hollywood as well.
AN: Do you notice a difference in the level of racism?
RP: It’s gotten much better but we still have a long way to go. So it was very, very hard.
AN: The new generation—Latinx—they are roaring and demanding to be heard, don’t you think?
RP: And what’s fantastic to me is that the new Latinx generation they do not care. And they are voicing their opinions and I think that’s fantastic. We do have a lot of ways to go so I’m going to keep the fight going.
Perez will next be seen in “The Last Thing He Wanted” opposite Anne Hathaway and Ben Affleck for Netflix and “Birds of Prey” opposite Margot Robbie for Warner Brothers and will also be returning to television with a starring role in HBO Max’s thriller drama series “The Flight Attendant.” Perez will star opposite Kaley Cuoco, who will also produce.