You may be surprised to learn the confident, charismatic Rosie Perez still gets nervous on set. “Everybody gets nervous,” says the actor, dancer-choreographer, and activist. “Not everyone admits it.” As she explains in great detail to her fellow artists, persevering in the entertainment industry means taking one’s craft seriously, overpreparing yet staying flexible, and learning how to rise above or even use nervousness—“finding the champion spirit within those butterflies.”

Rosie has become an icon in her hometown of Brooklyn and beyond, since dancing on “Soul Train,” breaking out in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” and earning Emmy nominations for directing and choreographing “In Living Color.” She’s starred on Broadway, scored an Academy Award nomination for “Fearless,” and turned in memorable onscreen roles over the years: from “White Men Can’t Jump,” “Untamed Heart,” and “The Counselor” to “The Take,” “Pineapple Express,” “Bounty Hunters,” “Rise,” “Birds of Prey,” and more. She’s now up for her first Primetime Emmy Award for acting, as Megan Briscoe on HBO Max’s comedy “The Flight Attendant.” Check out producer-star Kaley Cuoco’s cover story here: ​​https://bit.ly/3xpgi9o

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Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ

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Special thanks to...

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