After only about a year, Rosie Perez is officially leaving the long running talk show, "The View."
According to People, Perez's choice to leave the popular talk show is based on her desire to commit to her one true love: acting. Perez says that she will leave the show when the season concludes.
In a press conference held after Perez's last show, she was greeted by a standing ovation from the audience in attendance and co-host Raven Simone went off stage to find a box of tissues for her friend.
Executive producer of the show, Bill Wolff, told USA Today that he was impressed on the job that Perez did during her tenure on "The View." Wolff goes on to say that it's not easy being on Broadway, movies and on TV to then suddenly becoming a talk show host. He adds that the way she conducts herself is impressive.
Upon showing up on the set for the last time Perez went ahead and gave her farewell speech saying, "I guess you have all heard, it's true that I am leaving the show. It's time for to move on, and I will say that today is very bittersweet for me."
Perez then goes to say something nice about each of her other co-hosts on the show. She even able to get usually calm and collected Whoppi Goldberg to shed a tear, Perez praised Goldberg for being the leader of show and that she is a shining example of professionalism.
But the biggest thanks that Perez gave to was to the fans of the show. She comments on how proud she is to be on the show and how fans everywhere comment on how they love her on "The View." Perez was very opinionated especially when it came to sensitive subjects.
Perez was the first co-host of Latin decent and even made a joke to the crowd saying how was it that it took so long for someone like her to be put on the show? Perez closed her statements with saying that she will continue her work for her community and for women across the globe. The actress is also a big activist for the HIV/AIDS society.
She added that she will start to work on ESPN as a boxing commentator. With her leaving the show, many believe that guest co-host Michelle Collins will more than likely be called on to fill the slot left behind.