READ about Piers Morgan's long career in journalism here. WHEN does "Piers Morgan Live" air internationally? LISTEN and subscribe to our free podcast.
If Jennifer Lopez is "Jenny from the Block," then Rosa Maria Perez might just as easily be "Rosie from the Block." The first from the Bronx, the other hails from Brooklyn, and each used fiery personalities and overwhelming talent to rocket off the "block" and into the American zeitgeist.
And according to Perez, any "beef" between the two New Yorkers has been greatly exagerated.
"I don't hate Jennifer Lopez. I have great respect for her. When I first saw her, I knew she was going to be a star. Yes, we had a tiff and it was 20 years ago," reveals the woman who starred alongside street ball hustlers Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson in the iconic film "White Men Can't Jump". "It's unfortunate that the tabloids try to portray it as something that is current."
Five years older than Lopez, Perez suggests that were the two women Caucasian, the press would have quickly passed over the overblown feud, rather than plastering it across front and back pages.
"I've moved on, and I'm sure she has also. We're grown women. And it's really disgusting to me that the media tried to pit two Latinas against each other. It's just so difficult, and so hard, to make it in this industry, especially if you're a person of color. And for them to do that was really shameful."
Less shameful? The entirety of Morgan's interview with Perez. Watch the primetime conversation in full on CNN at 9p.
-
» Follow "Piers Morgan Live" on Twitter
» Follow "Piers Morgan Live" on Instagram
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
![Into the Jungle with Jack Hanna](http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/121126045719-pmt-hanna-cheetah-00012828"-search-tease.jpg)
| 
One thought hit me right away when I heard Piers got canned. What killed Piers and caused him to lose his show is that period where all the guy could do was cry about guns. WAAA YOU HAVE GUNS WAAAA! He lost A LOT of viewers at that time – turned people off. People got sick of it – it got old – he thought it was cute and people hated it. Americans don't need some foreigner talking smack about our country – he moved here – we didn't move by him. But EVERY NIGHT him crying about this got old – he made his point – he should have moved on. Well, he's moving on now. BWAHAHAHAHA! I'll buy you a gun for your going away present, Piers. Cheers.
I love Rosie Perez and have followed her success since she left the Group Home in NY. I was her Recreation Leader for the Group Home and spent long walks and talks with her. The person she referenced as "Nigel Johnson" is actually my brother and she got his first name correct and used my last name (Johnson at the time). His correct name is Nigel Davis whom now resides in Charlotte, NC with his family. I also live in Charlotte and would love to hear from Rosie again. I still have her chubby high school picture she autographed for me and her last letter when she moved from Group Home to NY. CONGRATULATIONS for all her success and overcoming her challenging teenage years. I'm SO PROUD OF HER!!!!
"The media" did it? She must be joking.
It kills this woman when she sees JLO mentions Selena Q and Gloria Estefan as her idols growing up. Get over it Rosie- she didn't see you as a role model. It is sad..
The media is very selective when talking about minority women, they will never attack a whitecelebrity but they have the guts to do with Latinas. Jennifer Lopez is a great lady, smart, successful, talented and kind. I love and admire Jennifer Lopez and also I always admired Rosie Perez's movies. They both are talented Latinas. Period.
you are not liked here, by the way take with you all the annoying British people who came here. to name a few:Sharon ,Kelly and Ozzy, Mel B, Heidi Klum ,Simon and more...
Piers, how about taking Amorosa with you as well , I know she is from the Caribean but take that mean woman with you she is ugly inside and out.