Who’da thunk’it?
Who would have thought that two entertainments latest, greatest, inspirations in the Latina communities, for over two decades, would go toe-to-toe and be known for anything else outside of their marks in the game and their fancy footwork?
According to reports surfacing, their bitter (behind the scenes) feud has lasted for decades, too.
In an upcoming memoir sitting in some New York publisher’s office, ink-drying and fan’s blowing on the pages right about now, in Perez’s memoir: “Handbook for an Unpredictable Life,” the dancer-actress-choreographer drops a dime on our girl “Jenny [from the Block] and insists that yes—we should not be fooled by the rocks that she’s got-she’s still “Jenny” from the block-literally-with hood drama just like all the rest of the hood honies (let Perez tell it about the
“Same Girl” singer).
The two Puerto Rican dancing beauties met while on the hit 90’s sketch comedy television show called “In Living Color” (FYI responsible for launching careers of comedians like Jamie Foxx, Tommy Davidson, Jim Carrey, and David Alan Grier).
In In Living Color, between the comedy and skits; a group of sexy women would come a-twirling, sashaying and strutting their stuff to the latest hip-hop beats from the streets of New York City. They were called: “The Fly Girls.” JLo was one of those fine lil’ honies, and Rosie Perez was the dancing impresario pulling the dancing string and showing these “Fly Girls” how it’s DONE! …and they did the damned thing!
Well, all was quiet on the eastern front, but according the Perez, the secrets and Malay took place behind the scenes.
In her book, the show’s creator: 
Keenan Ivory Wayans allegedly (and initially) was not impressed with Lopez and refused to hire her-calling her “chubby and corny.”
Well, if you know anything about popular culture and the history of some of the hottest shows from way back then through now, then you also know that in order to be a “Fly Girl,” it was a well-kept secret that you had to be more than just a pretty face, with fancy footwork to dance on the show. It was part rumor and part industry knowledge that the Wayans’ clan did not want no “ho3s” on their stage twirling nothing!
That’s right.
In addition to your application, it was known (and rumored) that they had every one of their “Fly Girl” ’s investigated in the streets, their respective hoods, the industry and otherwise—making sure they also did not have fancy footwork “out there,” too…if you know what I mean.
So while if the only Low Down Dirty Shame – ful thing Keenan Ivory Wayans had to say about our Jenny was that she was chubby and corny—she did GOOD!
Furthermore, JLo was a hustler and wanted in, though. She was able to convince Wayans to change his mind after she cut her hair and dropped twenty pounds of luciousness.
In the book, Perez writes that it wouldn’t be too much time before she and the eventual megastar would come to blows after being rubbed the wrong way [by Lopez]. She wrote: “All of the girls were coming into my office complaining how she was manipulating wardrobe, makeup, and me, all to her advantage.”
(Leo sh!t…Smh. We love JLo, but that is a “Leo” move, man-I tell ya. LoL).
Anyways.
Rosie also wrote that Jennifer soon “went off” on her like “Some ghetto b!tch-screaming and pounding her chest!”
Welp. Something else those Leo’s’ll do once they move into their sun sign’s element (as is for all Leo’s: Creative, Dramatic, Theatre and otherwise). They are already born “stars” if you let them [in] to prove themselves-they will (and typically can)-but I’m I’m here to tell you: They aint “worker” material, they are born bosses (and bossy). And too, they can really be female (and male) divas should a time or two come around and they need to show everybody who’s boss).
Welp JLo, it’s mounting up Boo 🙂
Needless to say, Jenny left the block just after two seasons on the show and if you know anything about the megastars climb, you know that she:
- married Ojani Noa (and eventually divorced)
- danced with Janet during “That’s the Way Love Goes” then left to do her own thing, (and in contrast to what Rosie says in the book, from Janet’s mouth-herself…she said that Jennifer was..and I quote: “one of the most sweeeeetest girls I have ever met”)… true story…
<–(That’s JLo and Jan…and well..that other girl is Josie Harris who too, was once a “Fly Girl,” danced with +once hung out with Janet and the homies. And well…they’re not cool anymore… Long story..but “That’s the Way Love Goes.” *shoulder shrugs*)
Again…I repeat Jan gives JLo high marks of adoration. Even I hated on her for it once upon a’ time…But that’s a long-old story, too. …I love JLo too, yo.
At any rate.
Jennifer left for the lead role in the movie “Selena” (which was on the desk or stay with Janet)
…And well, that decision changed her life forever 
(as we all know).
Her career took off.
Meanwhile however, back on the block, it had gotten back to Rosie that Jennifer (who by this time earned a moniker: “JLo”) had said some “disparaging comments” after she became famous.
Perez writes: “I was blindsided. I’d thought we were cool. I called her up. She wouldn’t pick up. Frustrated, I left her an irate message on her answering machine. Instead of calling me back and hashing it out like friends do, she went on a major talk show and reiterated my lashing.”
P.S. Yeah, if you don’t know much about popular culture history and haven’t a clue who Rosie Perez is, it’s easy to assume (what’s typical): One homie got famous and the old chums got jealous and started going at her and the rest is (typical) history. Well, before you take on that notion, I’ll just let you hang out over here to peep Rosie Perez’s resume too-because it’s much too much for us to list (and explain).
She aint exactly no chump in the this game.
At any rate, her book: “Handbook for an Unpredictable Life” will be released by publisher Crown Archetype on February 25 and Iiiiiiiiii will be grabbing my copy for sure!
In the meantime, and in between time, JLo’s not hard to find:
Spitfire .
Media Maestro .
Writing Rhinoceros .
