21 questions

Rosie Perez Hates Hipsters and Traffic

Name: Rosie Perez, a.k.a. Puerto Rican Icon
Age: None of your business
Neighborhood: Brooklyn, of course — Holla!
Occupation: Actor, producer, director, activist, and a great friend; She’ll be in attendance next Tuesday, May 10, at Cielo Latino, a fund-raiser for the Latino Commission on AIDS.

Who’s your favorite New Yorker, living or dead, real or fictional?
There are too many to mention; all of my favorite “New Yorkers” are from Brooklyn, i.e., Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Barbra Streisand, Barbara Stanwyck, Howard Cosell, Larry David, Jimmy Smits, Mos Def, Walt Whitman, Harvey Fierstein, Jay-Z, Jackie Gleason (who’s from Bushwick — holla!), Arthur Miller, Norman Mailer, Maxwell, Joe Papp … need I say more?

What’s the best meal you’ve eaten in New York?
A traditional Puerto Rican Christmas dinner when I was 13 years old, at my aunt’s house.

In one sentence, what do you actually do all day in your job?
Phone calls, meetings, more phone calls, exercise, dog walking, hanging out with friends in the park if I’m not working on a project (rehearsal if I am working on a project).

What was your first job in New York?
Babysitting.

What’s the last thing you saw on Broadway?
The revival of The Normal Heart, which was excellent!

Do you give money to panhandlers?
Yes, but not all the time.

What’s your drink?
Water or red wine, preferably a Malbec.

How often do you prepare your own meals?
Every day if I’m home.

What’s your favorite medication?
Not a fair question. Therefore, I refuse to answer on the grounds that it might incriminate me.

What’s hanging above your sofa?
Nothing.

How much is too much to spend on a haircut?
One of my best friends, Johnny Lavoy, is the spokesperson for L’Oréal hair, so I don’t spend anything. I’m so lucky and appreciative.

When’s bedtime?
Usually 12:30 to 1 a.m., if I don’t go out.

Which do you prefer, the old Times Square or the new Times Square?
Old Times Square! How dare you even ask!

What do you think of Donald Trump?
A very interesting … man.

What do you hate most about living in New York?
Hipsters and traffic!

Who is your mortal enemy?
I don’t have one, honestly, God bless America two times for that! And if someone thinks I’m their mortal enemy, what a waste of time for them.

When’s the last time you drove a car?
Last night to my man’s house.

How has the Wall Street crash affected you?
My charity, Urban Arts Partnership, has suffered greatly, but we are still holding strong.

Times, Post, or Daily News?
The Times! How dare you ask!

Where do you go to be alone?
My house or the park.

What makes someone a New Yorker?
A quick wit, sarcasm, great sense of humor, great sense of culture, aware of the world, a great neighbor, and a big heart.

Rosie Perez Hates Hipsters and Traffic