Rosie Perez has long been synonymous with New York and hip hop culture, starting with her appearances on “Soul Train”, her iconic choreographies and her big break with Spike Lee. The Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actress has graced the silver screen in movies like Spike Lee’s ‘Do the Right Thing,’ the 90s classic ‘White Men Can’t Jump,’ and more recently in the television series, HBO’s ‘The Flight Attendant.’

Rosie was born in Brooklyn, NY, and was determined to make a name for herself from a young age. She started her career dancing on the 1980s show “Soul Train”. She was noticed at a nightclub by Spike Lee, who put her in his critically acclaimed film ‘Do the Right Thing.’ Her career blossomed from there. 

When she received a call to host a salsa podcast, the native Nuyorican immediately said yes. Rosie is the host of Futuro Media’s new podcast” Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York,” about the history of salsa in the city, the legends behind the music and Fania Records–often called “the Motown of Salsa”. 

On this episode of Latino USA recorded in front of a live audience at WNYC’s The Greene Space in New York City, Rosie Perez opens up about the experience. We discuss her love of boxing, what it means to grow up Nuyorican and what salsa history means to her. 

Host: Maria Hinojosa

Producer and reporter: Jeanne Montalvo

Editor: Marlon Bishop

Social Media: Essam Aljahmi

Engineer: Julia Caruso & JJ Querubin

Managing Editor: Fernanda Echavarri

Executive Producers: Peniley Ramirez and Maria Hinojosa