28
The actor also recalls her unique friendship with Tupac.
In 1992, Rosie Perez was trying to do it all.
That’s when I knew I had to make a choice between the two, Perez recalls.
I felt that with a movie likeFearless, I had to give it my all.
Perez let Rainer take over as choreographer, and ultimately leftIn Living Colorin 1994.
WithFearless, they didn’t want me.
I had to audition four times for that role, she says.
I’m going to show you.
At that time, my representation would say, This is hurting you.
OK, so be it.
Hopefully, it’ll make it easier for the person behind me, Perez says.
That’s honestly how I felt.
I could have done so much more.
I could have said yes to so many other projects, but I refused.
I’ll never forget her saying that.
And then she was like, And eff them!
It’s not so much filled with this intense anxiety.
I would breathe and just push through my fears.
Take me back to 1992-93.
Where were you living?
I had a house in Los Angeles, near Hancock Park.
It wasn’t huge or whatever, but it was very nice.
So you were living a bicoastal life at the time?
Yes, and it suited me well.
At that time, Busta Rhymes was part of it.
It was just a crazy time, but it was fabulous at the same time.
Since you were at this crossroads in your career, what were your goals at 28?
My goals were to do great work.
Honestly, I still wanted to choreograph; I was getting into directing.
I thought I was going to move forward and into that realm more.
But I always had a dream of being on Broadway, so that was where my focus was.
Also giving back, I had a charity at that time.
I’d been withthat charityfor 20 years.
I just stepped down as the artistic chair and co-founder.
So my plate was pretty full.
I was just striving for excellence.
Not striving for perfection, but striving for excellence.
What was your work-life balance like at 28?
As an actor, it doesn’t serve you well because you’re imitating life.
If you’re not participating in life, it affects your work.
How would you describe your relationships at the time?
I wish I would have spent more time with my dad.
You were also friends with Tupac at the time.
He was a complex person.
I’m a complex person.
We were both two people who used to hide a lot of our emotions.
He had a turbulent childhood.
I did too, so we got each other immediately.
I remember one day, he says, Its crazy about you.
Whats so crazy about me?
He says, Nobody knows youre corny.
Youre a cornball, you’re really sensitive, and you’re goofy.
And I was like, So are you!
He was great, and he was a really deep, deep person.
But he was funny.
I hate when people talk about him.
They never really talked about how funny and enjoyable he was.
We were talking a little bit about your struggles at the time.
But was there anything that was easy about life at 28?
Yeah, there were a lot of things that were easy.
My body was in excellent shape.
The other thing that was easy for me was sliding into a character.
I used to get nervous to the point where I would prohibit the character from coming through with ease.
But I was able to let that go as I got older, even at 28.
Was there a moment when you felt your nerves were stopping you from fully engaging in a performance?
Yeah, I remember I was onFearless.
Peter Weir was like, What’s wrong with you?
because I just started crying.
And I said, We’re doing so many takes, I feel like I’m faking it.
And he goes, You are!
And I went, What?
And he goes, You have such great technique.
And I go, I do?
It was crazy because I never studied acting.
I was discovered by Spike Lee.
So it was kind of like I was learning the trade on the job.
I was doing my first play at the Public, and I was terrified.
I remember our first night of previews, he came backstage, and he was so supportive and wonderful.
He looked at me and said, Breathe, and I started breathing.
And he goes, Now push through your fears and step into your greatness.
It’s right in front of you.
And only you might do it.
And you know it’s possible for you to do it.
That’s why youre here.
I went, Oh, snap.
And we both kind of laughed.
I took a deep breath, and I pushed through.
That’s when I started to get it.
The nerves are part of the process.
Everyone would say it, but it didn’t really click until that moment.
The fear is,oh my God, I’m scared.
It’s gonna mess me up.As opposed to,I’m terrified.
It’s part of the process.
They’re just fronting.The nerves are there for a reason.
And I remember him saying, if you’re not nervous, I would be worried.
What advice would you give your 28-year-old self?
My advice is to calm down.
I was pretty confident back then, but I would have said to lean into that confidence even more.
I would also have said to protect yourself a lot more.
The pitfalls of this business and the trust factor of this business are tough.
I would get my feelings hurt a lot.
Like Tupac said, I’m very sensitive.
I would have told myself, you’re tough.
Be careful, be cautious, and just be more aware.
The release ofWhite Men Cant Jumpwas also a big moment for you in 92.
Every single day it felt like summer camp.
Ron Shelton, the director, was just going crazy with us.
It’s the most fun I’ve ever had on the set to date.
There’s been one that comes on a close second, but nothing has ever matched that experience.
It was just so much fun, especially during lunchtime just jokes one right after the other.
Now that I’m older, I would never do that.
You gotta reserve your energy, and it’s tough.
It’s okay to go to your trailer and just chill out.
But back then, I was like, What are you going to do for lunch?
When Alex Trebek walked out on the set, I fanned out.
Everyone was looking at me.
I did the cornball thing, and I was like, I watch you every night.
Oh, my gosh!
And he was like, Very nice to meet you.
I was so nervous; that’s why I messed up that infamous line.
Alex Trebek goes, Let’s see if the judges will accept that answer.
Judges will accept that answer.
It’s so funny.
When I was smiling, that was a real smile.
That was a real moment for me.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onJan.
