ABC’s daytime talk show “The View” has found itself immersed in even more drama.
Already faced with reports that recent “View” addition Rosie Perez is on her way out, the executive producers of the show are now under attack from a Latina leadership group, over remarks made about Perez in Variety and the New York Daily News.
Specifically, in an open letter to the executive producers, the group, which identifies itself as #YoSoyRosie, takes issue with a quote in a Daily News story saying that Perez “is not the sharpest tool in the box” and a quote in Variety that Perez “can’t read a TelePrompTer.”
The remarks weren’t attributed to the executive producers, but rather a source from the series, but the group nonetheless demands an apology in its letter to the producers.
“It doesn’t take a genius to read in to the racist and sexist language hurled against Ms. Perez,” the letter, a copy of which has been obtained by TheWrap, reads. “The stereotype that Latinas are stupid is outrageous. There is no excuse for this behavior. Network officials should not tolerate this kind of racist conduct. The fact that the leaks come from one of your staffers is deeply outrageous.”
The letter continues, “We expect more from the staff of ‘The View’ and ABC network. When you disparage the only Latina on ‘The View’ you disparage all Latinas. Rosie Perez and by extension, all Latinas, deserve an immediate apology.”
More than 80 names are attached to the letter, including Latino magazine associate publisher Dalia E. Almanza-Smith, former New York secretary of state Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez and producer Sofia Quintero.
Perez has been on break from “The View” this year as she prepares to appear in the Broadway production of the Larry David play “Fish in the Dark.” An insider told TheWrap earlier this month that ABC is hoping to add panelists with youth appeal, with an eye on “Glee” alum Naya Rivera and “Orange Is the New Black” star Laverne Cox.
ABC has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment on the letter. However, in a statement, an ABC representative told TheWrap last week that Perez’s status on the show “has not changed.”
“Rosie Perez is currently in rehearsal for her Broadway play for the month of January,” the statement read. “Her status with the show has not changed.”
