Rosie Perez bid farewell to "The View" after 10 months on the show.
During Wednesday's episode of the daytime talk show, the Oscar-nominated actress delivered an emotional farewell speech dedicated to her fellow co-hosts, her fans and the Latino community.
"I've decided that it's time to move on. And I will say that today is very bittersweet for me. I am excited for what is to come but I'm so sad to leave 'The View,' the staff, the producers, ABC and especially these two ladies," Perez said through tears gesturing at her co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Nicolle Wallace, who wiped away tears during the emotional farewell.
She continued, "I want to thank you for your friendship, Nicolle, and your intelligence and your wit and your sunshine. Whoopi, I want to thank you for everything, your guidance, your professionalism and most of all your friendship. It's a dream sitting here with you and you're truly the captain of the ship."
Perez told the audience and viewers that she was proud to be the first Latina on the show and ended her speech by thanking her fans for their support.
"It warms my heart every time one of you guys come up to me and say 'I love you on The View.' It just makes my day," she said. "I really want to give a special shout out to the Latin community... 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."
Perez's departure from the show was announced to staffers on Tuesday by the show's executive producer Bill Wolff. The memo stated that Perez was leaving the show to focus on acting full-time but is welcome to return as a guest.
"Our friend Rosie Perez has decided to leave the show at the conclusion of this season to pursue full time her love for acting," Wolf wrote. "Stepping into the role of talk show host at the same time she has been starring on Broadway has been incredibly impressive...Rosie will always be a part of 'The View' family, and we will welcome her back as a guest anytime to catch up."
Her representative said in a statement, "Rosie wants to thank ABC for their graciousness and their flexibility with her schedule during the Broadway run."
