we are talking to actor and coriographer rosie perez. we will have more in just a >> al jazeera's investigative unit has tonight's exclusive report. >> stories that have impact... that make a difference... that open your world... >> this is what we do... >> america tonight only on al jazeera america >>> what's interesting i didn't know until i read your book is that acting and corcoregraphi. ng you were in college, a bio chem major. do you think you chose route? >> this is where i am supposed to be. this was supposed to happen and yet i still have fantasies of finishing my degree and, you know, it's i still fant sues. i am a nerd. >> you work with kids in the urban arts partnership. tell me about that work and how much of that is you sort of addressing some of the needs that you had in child hood. >> that's 100% addressing the needs i had in childhood. i see these title i kids meaning low, poverty, high-risk kids being ignored in school. these kids who can take on the world, be our next president, be the head of, you know, apple. they co

we are talking to actor and coriographer rosie perez. we will have more in just a >> al jazeera america presents >> what did i do? please take this curse off of me. >> 15 stories one incredible journey edge of eighteen premiers september 7th only on al jazeera america >> now available, the new al jazeea america mobile news app. get our exclusive in depth, reporting when you want it. a global perspective wherever you are. the major headlines in context. mashable says... you'll never miss the latest news >> they will continue looking for survivors... >> the potential for energy production is huge... >> no noise, no clutter, just real reporting. the new al jazeera america mobile app, available for your apple and android mobile device. download it now sts live. >>> what's interesting i didn't know until i read your book is that acting and corcoregraphi. ng you were in college, a bio chem major. do you think you chose route? >> this is where i am supposed to be. this was supposed to happen and yet i still have fantasies of finishing my degree

we are talking to actor and coriographer rosie perez. we will have more in just a >> i'm ali velshi, the news has become this thing where you talk to experts about people, and al jazeera has really tried to talk to people, about their stories. we are not meant to be your first choice for entertainment. we are ment to be your first choice for the news. >> hundreds of days in detention. >> al jazeera rejects all the charges and demands immediate release. >> thousands calling for their freedom. >> it's a clear violation of their human rights. >> we have strongly urged the government to release those journalists. >> journalism is not a crime. >> fault lines labor day marathon the true cost of cheap labor >> nothing can be worse than this people burnt to ash... >> horrendous conditions... traffic labor on us bases... management stealing wages... exploited children put to work... >> how many of you get up at 4 or 5 o'clock in the morning to go out to the fields? don't miss our award winning series fault lines labor day marathon only on al jaze

we are talking to actor and coriographer rosie perez. >> you were really into watching television as a kid. >> yes. >> like the jackie agreeson show. you really liked old movies. you liked listening to all kind of music including the beelthsdz. is that when you are interested in entertainment sort of began as a young child taking in? >> no. my interest in entertainment began with music: my aunt said i used to dance in my crib non-stop. and i just loved when my cousins would clap for me. i was such a ham, it was embarrassing. >> you loved being a performer, even as a baby? >> even as a baby in the crib. but tellrician provided something else. it was pure escapism. i watch boxing, the sweet science to hit and not get hit. i was doing that from day one. >> physically, sometimes you would physically fight back? >> yes. i had to physically fight back or else, you know or my ass was going to get kicked. i learned how the to box, how to fight. >> you didn't just fight kids at school. i fought back against the nuns and then you got into a fight