'The View' Host Rosie Perez Vows to Continue Fighting for Latinas in Tearful Pre-Exit [Watch]
Rosie Perez tearfully bade goodbye to "The View" on Wednesday, July 8.
The TV personality opened the talk show emotionally while thanking ABC, her fans, and her co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Nicolle Wallace. Perez also welcomed and hugged newcomer Raven-Symone and guest host Michelle Collins, NY Daily News reported.
"I really want to thank 'The View.' Thank you very, very much and the entire ABC family for such a great opportunity to be part of such an iconic show that has opened me up to a broader audience and I will be forever grateful for that, but the ones that I want to thank the most are the fans," Perez said, as quoted by Entertainment Weekly.
She continued, "It warms my heart, it really does, every time one of you guys come up to me and say, 'I love you on The View,' it just makes my day. And I really want to give a special thank-you to the Latin community. It's a huge honor to be the first Latina on 'The View.'"
Watch Perez's emotional goodbye below.
The 50-year-old TV host thanked moderator Goldberg as well for her guidance, professionalism, and friendship. "You truly are the captain of the ship," Perez told Goldberg, as quoted by Entertainment Weekly.
Despite her exit from the talk show, Perez insisted that she would still fight for the rights of the Hispanic community, which she is a part of. Perez will remain on "The View" for the rest of the season, with her final bow set on August 6, NY Daily News noted.
"Your support through this journey as a community has helped me through this year and I will never forget what you have done for me," she further told fans, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. "I will always continue to stand up for you guys, for our rights, and for the promotion and empowerment of all women of all colors."
Following her departure from "The View," Perez revealed that she plans on finishing her run on Larry David's Broadway show "Fish in the Dark," NY Daily News wrote. Perez will also work with ESPN as a boxing commentator for upcoming fights.
The talk show's executive producer, Bill Wolff, announced in an email on Tuesday that Perez will be exiting "The View," but he insisted that the Puerto Rican TV personality is always welcome to come back as a guest host, the news outlet added.
Collins, a regular guest host of "The View," is expected to be a full-time contributor, The Wrap reported. Molly Sims is also rumored to join the roundtable as a contributor in the show's 19th season.