Rosie Perez Gives Emotional Goodbye on THE VIEW

Rosie Perez was in tears when she announced two weeks ago that she will be departing THE VIEW on August 6, writes The Hollywood Reporter. After months of rumors, co-host and Broadway star Perez is officially leaving the ABC talk show.

"[Nicolle] went to reach for my hand and I went, 'Oh my God, I'm not going to see you every morning.' And then I looked at Whoopi, and she was holding back the tears and that was it. That's when I lost it," Perez told THR. "I was like, 'My gosh, this show has been great. It's opened me up to so many new people'...And every night when I come out of the theater at [her Broadway play] Fish in the Dark, it's like, 'Oh, you were so great and I love you on The View,' and I really appreciate that."

Perez also touched on breaking the news to her fellow co-hosts. "I told Nicolle Wallace first. It was a hard call. I waited on Whoopi because I didn't have the nerve to call her. But they were like, 'We get it.'"

Just before Perez began her run in Larry David's play Fish In the Dark, talk surfaced that her previously announced winter hiatus (to prepare for the Broadway show) would become permanent. Two weeks ago, a rep for Perez told Deadline, "Rosie wants to thank ABC for their graciousness and their flexibility with her schedule during the Broadway run."

Perez joined THE VIEW after Barbara Walters left last summer, along with new co-hosts Rosie O'Donnell and Nicolle Wallace. Then, shortly after her welcome back to the show, O'Donnell announced her decision to depart due to concerns for her health.

THE VIEW also just let go of Wallace last week and announced Michelle Collins as one of the program's new co-hosts. In addition, Sherri Shepherd will be returning on a part-time basis this fall.

Among Perez's other Broadway credits are THE RITZ, RECKLESS, THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE and FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE. She will next appear on the big screen in FIVE NIGHTS IN MAINE and recently starred in the films PITCH PERFECT 2, FUGLY!, THE BEING EXPERIENCE, GODS BEHAVING BADLY and THE COUNSELOR. Perez has also appeared on TV in THE CLEVELAND SHOW, LIPSTICK JUNGLE and more.

"The View," is a live, one-hour daily talk show from ABC (11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, ET) featuring moderator Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O'Donnell, Rosie Perez and Nicolle Wallace. It is the original forum in which real women discuss everyday issues, share their opinions and engage in colorful conversations. "The View," broadcast in HDTV and produced in 2-channel stereo sound, is now available to watch online daily at 4:00 p.m., ET/1:00 p.m., PT on ABC.com. "The View" is owned and produced by ABC. Bill Wolff is executive producer. Brian Balthazar is co-executive producer. "The View" is directed by Ashley S. Gorman.

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