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Interview with Stars of MTV’s Washington Heights

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    JP and Reyna talk about the MTV show and respond to critics.

  • Duration 15:07
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It's called Washington Heights MTV's newest reality showed -- follows the lives of the young.

Close group of mostly Dominican American New Yorkers.

Trying to reach their dreams.

The show debuted earlier this month and it's part of a new lineup of reality shows launched by MTV.

After the end of the ever popular Jersey Shore today we are here with two of the stars of the show.

Jonathan Perez JP and -- Thank you so much for being here that really appreciate it absolutely this is something how does -- show.

About dominicans Washington Heights land on MTV what exactly did you do.

Little complicated you know we.

Basically start off -- an idea you know we've been friends it was myself.

Back.

Nelson occasionally for lack of production company calling someone and we just shot at local videos for artists and stuff like that that is so condemns this and as well.

And then we decided late -- gotten -- of the five -- -- and conditions and challenges and display on who we really wanted to shore neighborhood but definitely.

You know could use to seeing Washington nicely.

You know -- you know the -- negative we just wanted to so that that was like.

Of course that was actually culture of you know and then our friends and like a subculture.

But then that and we just -- -- -- Here's an idea turns to what did you literally hate that it literally weeks that we -- -- to sizzle like -- -- interview that tax my friends efforts at the Mecca opened casting on social media and nobody -- -- okay.

Maybe I'm actually -- -- so I just -- -- -- -- contact friends.

And the yours that you brought something organize themselves and Lima justice so that -- and he had a modern insulin actually that.

So we did and you sound like I'm in -- in -- -- And but he was able to get it moved -- -- adultery you know -- woman you know me in the package into the Britain's got.

So you know it went -- in the latter and she was -- -- advertising so she knew people so eventually got to make an executive and and TV and owning.

This is the first.

Is that the first time that you know they weren't so they also have because it was -- so genuine you know knows organic arugula and we'd love to be part of this -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- And he approved what was your first -- when he approached you about.

-- I think I was ready for me because he knew that you know this whole thing -- And fill out.

I'd.

-- it had been asked -- kept us.

That's our connector that's that this is that I have -- -- Can't.

-- In -- one.

Could seem to -- yeah.

We didn't even know we were doing and at least you know human element is that children who just -- -- this is a small project let's see what can go small project has turned -- pretty big.

So what kind of message are you hoping to -- Went through through this tradition right.

It.

It.

Is.

In line is being.

On community.

And why.

That -- gluten in eagle I national Latin.

One.

GP and I.

It vehicle -- Let our play is something that can be shared with millions Nokia uses nine different completely different lives you know.

All going to different directions but together you know announcing.

So you know there was a lot of pessimism and sort of guarded optimism on whether or not they show.

Was going to be the Hispanic version of the hills -- or Jersey Shore was that something that you guys had.

Right front and center in your mind when you're doing the show that you did not want to be like was -- -- -- that was an act of -- You guys it was more -- thought.

Like the way we shot.

We didn't want it to look like anything that was out there but as far as comparisons that you're gonna get compared anyway so we don't.

But -- Letterman -- quote that said don't give the people what they want because they don't know what -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- We decided to shoot shell and get shot witnesses be -- to ourselves and do with the way we do it normally does not switch anything for people with more black and Mosley.

I don't I don't like -- -- And I was and -- Alex noble we don't do that but that's up that Dominican is doing is always I was -- but I.

Again it's a story about us is not as is not caught Dominican.

-- -- it's still about friends and last night and I think we're a subculture within the court Celeste has certainly going to be just.

Different -- part of the criticism with the show has been well it's not Dominican enough and you know what.

I have a me myself being Dominican I have family and have grown up.

And what Washington -- was 2030 years do you now look at it and say that's not what the struggle is.

And -- that's not the heights that's truly heights back.

How have you guys had to deal with that I mean that it is it hurtful is that something that you guys.

Are offended by.

It's hurtful and when when someone says old -- not Dominican enough for some.

But is like look at what is -- you know what does that mean enough nowadays and you tell me I have to fit into -- criteria.

And and do everything that we you'll see which is perception so now is all about essentially the way you see me now is different than what I really nonsense I have to fit into like.

-- like mold of -- a Dominican is in the that's crazy thing you know I'm Dominican -- first and also has lake.

I don't I don't think they don't each of the next I don't know I thought it was my -- is public company is it's hard to make.

Well this is America that a Tennessee expanding.

So it's like yes but are we speak Spanish to -- get about an appointment to get -- -- but don't let -- that's not the point the point of the show to show people that.

You can make some -- up and be from -- when nobody makes it you know and and it's like we're gonna show what he does seems to eat because that.

People -- the happening inside and if you.

Act and I have to -- let it happen.

And what doesn't mean anything like it means a lot into what -- -- and -- communal.

But it -- dreams painful part dreams is still you know -- I ate basically I I don't know about bonds and not on the island I don't.

I don't -- that Alan wake up once and no -- in Miami's pass something that people and I think it's because people.

They think they -- they're afraid that even if it okay and -- -- and -- -- would be.

That -- bigger than guys like it's not it's like.

It's only four episodes and people wanted to see the art the first company wanted to.

Order for the -- -- the other -- could also argue that the criticism would have been well that's two games stereotypical right.

Back could have also kind of criticisms -- -- -- -- mindful of that I mean is that -- -- -- of -- -- -- -- is not something at least we lost that the -- what I'm a white America once and I know this isn't just about New Yorkers once you're not producing.

Young Latinos into the homes of people around the country so.

There has to be that spot and I think a lot of -- -- Hispanics are looking at is this something that breaks barriers do you think.

The show is doing.

I have people like mats what is crazy what people -- Omaha from lake California Colorado then allowed it.

Yeah they do what I want to go over there -- -- Washington.

-- because these guys are so cool.

All I'm saying when he let them and quality team and he's not -- I think I.

Mean I could be Clinton isn't easy -- -- Why didn't friendly odds and beat him -- -- Yes a little focus on the negative.

Because everyone negative comment is -- when he -- In terms of the barriers with young Latinos being on television especially with sunlight and TV I mean that's you guys -- -- response was.

And that we aren't proper response I -- like ambassadors to Washington highs in on -- -- Unofficially -- so -- I don't -- oh yeah I mean.

To me.

This at the exact plastic.

Part of the also a unique time a criticism because everybody isn't -- doing something new there's a lot of criticism with -- and conservative.

You're looking at the reality show how much of this is actually actually real -- how much of this is you know there's a camera there and we can't be more.

It's it's not -- not you know it is -- exactly how is thought it.

We we're told you know.

We came over an idea of lists is -- -- projected how common what do you see something in the summer at what he wouldn't be doing in between them.

Celebs that come -- -- these activities that this is what I wanna DelHomme -- and is on the be doing the show here I'm being over here I'm party here so basically we.

We will we -- that decided what.

But -- we're gonna show and I think it's they can -- shall we one and one of the show.

Again this is the partnership is wasn't MTV -- and then casting everybody and exciting to -- you go catalog and a real ways -- It is not gonna you know that some literally nothing you know -- sent -- -- -- -- a -- mentality and you crazy.

That I can -- -- -- -- -- that's why it wasn't scripted in Oakland.

We had a story a story and that we decided this will will -- was an idea and that's what these shows and everything else in between the sometimes you got cameras at things happen.

You know in terms of we're talking about.

And at times -- -- television I don't know -- and know that when the first episode came out.

Didn't have the strongest -- -- Natalie some -- 5000 people were watching from like eighteen to 49 demo you know and it was well reviewed.

But there wasn't that much love from from -- -- from the critics' point of view in terms of the ratings.

Are you worried about -- as you can see and watch emphasis is on anything about it and V.

Other it talks about extending.

This Washington season -- -- Well we are.

-- we -- a little surprise when we saw them on the yes but we also understood that it's like you said something new so when something no it's it's gonna take a little longer for it to catch on you know lamps and and honestly I -- when something is is genuine and it's real people will gravitate to whistle eventually we'll get those -- but we we don't.

We don't know exactly when we might -- a season -- yet we haven't got word yet from anybody.

I mean they feel real good about it if it gets and certainly show that.

You know.

It's it's -- minority it's -- and I also read that.

All minorities.

Aren't really rate that they don't get all the ratings because just like the ratings the way ours is -- -- quality -- is that I didn't read about this so it has got to talking to a different group right instruments right Hispanics that they did you know get rated right because like.

Despises her grandmother and ethnicity grassroots and so I'm pretty sure every Hispanic -- the bidding to account for you know -- Angeles -- We just have to make a bigger impact -- just.

The at the end of the -- they and the issue now.

After this season.

What do you hope his legacy will be and -- would you consider it a success that we hysteria that just by lesbian three out of four creators being Hispanic.

Eight out of nine capital being Hispanic and being on television nationally there that's has that we have any maintenance -- unhappy that's all -- I'm happy with that I'm still I'm still going to be happy I I -- congressman and that it was it was Smart to get -- I'd open up like Manhattan me crying on TV shockingly the odds on this at least I think it's something really -- It's hot looking guys in the EC it was easy -- open up excellent they act and again -- it back with.

We grew as -- I was in the process where your careers now.

NAFTA at tradition only -- he gives it full episodes.

You know how I'm about to release.

A project and -- quality of the summit.

Which is they didn't waited on I'm releasing the video also -- substitute off this was a I'm just going forward -- as an actress she's working on me if I'm feed on the console.

I'm.

Glad -- -- Philippines on some shows these functional.

And it was just an aspect what I how I don't allow.

Surprise.

Like how many episodes left and only what is eleven and totals and its -- east of agencies that we still got an analog.

And he unity and our views tease about what's coming up next I mean having only seen the beginning -- yeah.

You've always in the beginning to think about -- has got an individual -- it -- -- of the telling stories in on them how it you know -- the next episodes is.

Siegel -- out and all of you guys still friends yet we thought we all live within 78 -- literally fought as the ones in absolutely we bump into each and every day and we still I mean he says mom mom cooks made so.

Was though aren't used to have a -- and I was that that -- commodities.

And -- with the last question child watched -- and general.

From what I understand his being in the city for a few years.

And look you know lots of nice is it seems to be a young Dominican voice coming out there and with 190 and I -- guys -- -- only eight all of that.

The voice the artistic voice there's -- there what.

What is this is our friends that really don't yet it's I don't know Langston -- yet.

My thing.

But it's like is -- the same Harlem had that Renaissance of art in the poetry the same things happen out last -- was late.

You that they are they are displayed Tony -- -- you you know that it does signal with the Iowa Uga.

But.

Establishments arguments in the apartment on those you have months of the music you have people Frankie she's so she's the whole trees was like.

Is all of a sudden his re emergence of the -- -- -- -- and an ice and that's some that's.

To me it just blows my mind because is that you know like I said people still used to us.

-- good thing being we -- warriors and I just you know not really focusing on our.

-- -- and company -- would dominicans but we'd like are actually witnessed the article also -- why can't we just.

Have a deep conversation about -- got a lot out -- -- about it.

Not.

Right they don't they don't they they don't want us to evolved as -- -- on an outside of them that we're gonna take the culture and illegal you can't take it on our problems on the -- to the court.

But give -- a chance to grow as a person and human because I'm more than just which would think you know announcing and that's what we're trying to project.

So I think it's a message that a lot of Latinos out there that have grown up in the United States and really kind of -- understand right can relate to that.

Is rebalancing -- -- -- are generated I was.

Yeah.

Okay here and other corporate world and that that is crazy you're in the corporate world -- -- you know a coach that's.

So small and they held -- as -- -- under the sun sentinel is.

And is kind of that tend to think so but we don't mind.

We might be able -- -- a lot because we're gonna keep.

Promoting you know good -- into -- and just posits that he you know how you -- be young and come from -- do -- tonight.

We'll JP -- thank you so much for joining me and Christian station as the gates Christian is -- to watch Washington Heights and MTV at 10:9 central.

On -- -- MTV and you can catch JP and rain and there along with the rest of the crew.

We've got to balance one about -- seven episodes left so you should watch it.

In New York City -- -- -- with Fox News Latino -- can.

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