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Rosie Perezis reflecting on a challenging point in her career.

The actress recently opened up about some of the problematic advice she's received over the years, as well as the shocking suggestion that led her to fire an agent, during a conversation with Eddie Muller at the TCM Classic Film Festival New York Pop-Up.

"They asked me to change my accent. They asked me to change the color of my hair. They wanted me to be a blonde. They asked me to change my nose," Perez said of the recommendations given to her to help land more roles.

The Oscar nominee revealed that one agent even asked her to "change my ethnicity," with the rationale being that Perez would "probably get more roles if you say you're African American."

"It was the whole gambit," Perez continued. "I remember the first agent who told me that. I just looked and went, 'You're fired.' I just got up and I left. I didn't need it. I was in college, actually. I was a biochem major, so I was like, I'll just go back to school. I don't need this."

Perez has previously spoken about receiving such advice from a former agent, whom she's declined to name, tellingVarietyin 2023 that "I don't want her to be canceled, but she told me that if I dyed my hair blond and got a nose job, 'I can get you more jobs. Because you're not Black.'"

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The Brooklyn-born actress' career spans over three decades, from her breakthrough in 1989'sDo the Right Thingand memorable roles inWhite Men Can't Jump,It Could Happen to You, andThe Taketo cohostingThe View. Perez landed an Oscar nomination for her role in 1993'sFearless. Along with her success, Perez has strongly advocated for improved Latino representation in Hollywood.

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"When you're of color and you don't want to pass and be whitewashed, you pay the price," Perez toldEntertainment Weeklyin 2020. "You're not privy to certain roles because of the racism, whether it's over or subtle, and the roles that are offered continuously… like, I get offers all the time, they're insulting and they further this negativity that I don't want to be a part of."

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection

Perez continued, "And so it takes a lot of strength within oneself to say no. To say no to projects that you know are going to be commercially viable and successful. To say no to a big payday. It takes a lot to have belief in yourself and belief in the long game and faith that it's going to come. If you just keep doing good work, they're still going to come for you, and they're still going to offer you the good stuff. Because, let's say when people write a love story, why does it predominantly always have to be a white person? And then if they say, 'Well, we would have to change it,' and I say, 'Why? Why do you have to change it? They didn't changeWhite Men Can't Jump. They didn't changeFearless. Why?' And they just can't think past that."

Perez added that she is "humbled and grateful" for the career she has had and roles she's been presented with for the past 30 years.

"Most women of color don't get the opportunities that I've gotten and there's only a handful of us, and most women of color over a certain age truly don't get the opportunities that I've gotten and the opportunities that are still coming," she said. "So that is what humbles me."

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Fans are concerned forRay J's healthafter he performed with apparent blood from his eye. The 45-year-old singer appeared at "An Intimate Valentine's Day Concert" in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Saturday, February 14. In a video doing the rounds on the internet, fans noticed a red liquid dripping down his cheeks, assuming it was blood. Notably, Ray was previously hospitalized for pneumonia and heart pain.

Ray J's recent performance sparks concerns

Ray Jsparks health concerns after fans noticed blood allegedly oozing from his eyes. Livebitez shared a video of Ray performing at a Valentine's Day concert. The caption read, "Ray J performed last night with his heart monitor, and fans assumed real blood was coming out of his eyes and chest."

In the video, the "One Wish" crooner is distributing red roses to front-row fans. When zoomed in on his face, one can see red liquid dripping down his cheeks. Fans assume it is blood, sparking concerns for his health.

Later, Ray unzipped the top of his jumpsuit to reveal his bare torso. Fans were quick to notice a mysterious medical dressing on the upper left side of his chest. The internet suspects this was where he had a heart monitor or another cardiac-related device.

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However, despite his apparent medical condition, the "Melody" singer performed with enthusiasm and enthralled fans with top-notch fan service as well. Previously, the singer was hospitalized for pneumonia and heart pains in January of this year. Ray confessed he was taking eight medications as he dealt with serious heart problems.

According toTMZ,doctors were unsure how long the singer would live because of his fragile health condition. Doctors instructed him to stay in bed and take his medications, prescribed for people at risk of heart failure. Doctors also revealed that Ray might need a pacemaker or defibrillator. The 45-year-old singer shared that doctors prohibited him from smoking or drinking, admitting it had been difficult. He said, "If I come out of this, I'll be stronger and a better person."

Originally written by Anwaya Mane onMandatory.

The postRay J Sparks Concerns After Seemingly Bleeding While Performingappeared first onReality Tea.

Savannah Guthrie/Instagram

As the search forNancy Guthrieenters its third week, law enforcement is leaning away from considering the elderly woman's relatives as suspects.

Throughout the investigation into the disappearance ofSavannah Guthrie's mother, police have maintained that investigators are not ruling out any individuals or possibilities. However, law enforcement sources have toldNBCandABC Newsthat authorities do not believe the members of Guthrie's family were involved in the crime. Investigators are also leaning away from the man whose home was searched after he was detained in a car stop last week.

"To be clear…the Guthrie family — to include all siblings and spouses — has been cleared as possible suspects in this case," Pima County Sheriff's Department said in a statement toEntertainment Weeklyon Monday. "The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious, and are victims in this case. To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel."

In a previous press blast on Friday, the sheriff's office had said, "Investigators continue to follow up on all leads. The suspect description released by the FBI this week remains a key focus; however, investigators are not ruling out any individuals or possibilities... We ask the public to continue submitting actionable tips."

Savannah Guthrie/Instagram

Despite reports that investigators are focusing on other leads, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told theDaily Mailthat "nobody" has been officially cleared in the investigation, including workers at Nancy's home (who were the subject of two separate SWAT raids) and her own family members.

"I stay in touch with them, mostly Savannah. I've not been in touch with [Nancy's son-in-law Tommaso [Cioni] or [her daughter] Annie [Guthrie] too much," Nanos told the outlet in a Sunday interview. "I have talked to them a little bit, but I know the investigators are in touch with them."

Nanos also addressed speculation about Cioni, who was the last person to see Nancy alive after dropping her off at home the night of her disappearance.

"I understand the pundits are out there. They're gonna say 'Well, he's the last one to see her alive.' We understand that stuff," Nanos said. "But, my goodness, you're putting a mark on somebody who could be completely innocent. And more important than that, he's family."

Nancy Guthrie was last seen the evening of Jan. 31, after being dropped off at home by family members. The following day, she wasdeclared missing, and a large-scale search was launched. On Feb. 2, Nanos announced that herdisappearance was being investigated as a crime, and declared her home a crime scene, revealing thattraces of Guthrie's bloodhad been discovered on her porch.

Don Arnold/WireImage

Over a week later, on Feb. 10, FBI Director Kash Patelshared the first photos and video footageof a masked man on Guthrie's doorstep that was captured on the night she disappeared. The FBI subsequentlyrevealed new informationabout a suspect in the case as they increased the reward for information leading to Guthrie's location to $100,000.

"The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5'9" - 5'10" tall, with an average build," the bureau said in a statement. "In the video, he is wearing a black, 25-liter 'Ozark Trail Hiker Pack' backpack. We hope this updated description will help concentrate the public tips we are receiving."

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That same day, authorities announced that they'd detained a person of interest in connection to the case, butlater released him. The man, who identified himself as Carlos, claimed that he did not know who Nancy or Savannah were and had never seen theTodayshow.

Savannah and her siblings, Annie and Camron, have published multiple videospleading with their mother's captors to return her home safe and sound. The sheriff's department and the FBI continue to urge anyone with tips to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

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At least 11 million people in California were under flood watch Monday as a series of storms bring rain, snow and potential flash flooding across the state this week.

Up to 4 inches of rain are forecast for California's coast and valley areas, with as much as 7 inches in the foothills and mountains.

In addition to flash flood risks, residents in burn scar areas in Los Angeles County face a threat of mudslides as the rainfall accumulates.

An evacuation order when into effect on Sunday night for the Palisades, Sunset and Hurst burn scar areas. It remains in effect into Tuesday evening. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged residents to follow the guidance.

"Ahead of heavy rain forecasted this week, first responders, Public Works crews, and City personnel are taking action to keep Angelenos safe and will be ready to respond to any potential impacts," Bass wrote in a post on X. "This is likely to be another significant rain event."

Burn scars areas are those where wildfires have killed off vegetation and changed the soil, making the land less able to absorb rainwater. These areas can "be as water-repellant as pavement,"according to the National Weather Service, causing runoff that can create conditions for flash flooding, mudslides and debris flow.

San Francisco's Department of Emergency Management, meanwhile, warned residents of potential flooding in low-lying areas. Parts of the Bay Area are under a coastal flooding advisory through Tuesday.

"Help your community prepare for the upcoming storm by clearing out storm drains and checking in with friends and family who may need assistance during extreme weather," thedepartment said in a post on X.

As the storm system moves east across California, torrential downpours are expected, with wind gusts as high as 70 mph on Tuesday.

Meteorologists said the system is likely to bring heavy snow to the Sierra Nevada: 5 to 8 feet is forecast to fall from Tuesday through Wednesday.

Though the snow can create dangerous conditions on roadways, its arrival is somewhat of a relief given the extremelylow snowpack that has plagued the West this winter.If the season ends with insufficient snow, that creates problems for water supplies and increases the risk of wildfires when the weather warms.

Climate scientists have been calling attention to the snowpack shortages in nearly every region of the West this year. Although it's not unusual for some areas to lack snow, it's rare for the problem to be this widespread. Philip Mote, a professor at Oregon State University's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, told NBC News last month that he had observed dramatic deficits.

"Washington, Oregon, California and many Western states had their warmest December ever on record, and so the torrential rains that we had with the atmospheric river and the flooding and damage from too much water — none of that stayed in the mountains," he said.

On Wednesday, the storm is expected to head east, moving out of California and bringing beneficial snow to the Rockies, as well.

The FBI notified Minnesota state investigators that it will not share information or evidence related to the fatalshooting of Alex Pretti by federal agentsin Minneapolis, the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said in a Feb. 16 statement.

The development comes after Minnesota Gov.Tim Walzand other officialsexpressed hope that federal authorities would cooperatewith the state in an investigation into the killing of Pretti, a37-year-old ICU nursewhose death triggered nationwide protests andbipartisan calls for an independent investigation.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which specializes in investigating police shootings and has often worked with federal authorities, vowed to move ahead with its own probe but acknowledged the challenges posed by the FBI's decision to withhold evidence.

"While this lack of cooperation is concerning and unprecedented, the BCA is committed to thorough, independent and transparent investigations of these incidents, even if hampered by a lack of access to key information and evidence," the agency said.

The FBI, which is leading a federal probe into the Pretti shooting, declined to comment.

The move is the latest development in a series of battles between state and federal authorities over investigations into shootings by federal officers during amonthslong immigration enforcement surgein Minnesota.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says it has also been stonewalled from evidence and case materials related to the fatal shooting ofRenee Nicole Good, a mother of three, and another shooting thatleft a Venezuelan maninjured.

Minnesota state and local authorities promised to independently investigate each of the shootings, but it remains unclear whether state prosecutors will be able to bring charges against the federal agents,who are largely protected from prosecution.

Independent investigations have been among the top demands from Minnesota state and local officials, as well as federal lawmakers from both parties, as outrage mounted over the shootings. Pretti's death prompted particularly intense pushback as footage of the incidentundermined assertions made by top Trump administration officialswho said Pretti had "brandished" a firearm and acted as an "assassin."

Videos show Pretti filming federal agents with his phone before he was taken to the ground, disarmed and shot in the back. The Department of Homeland Security said two agents opened fire, both of whom have beenplaced on leave.

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Within hours of Pretti's death, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and a local prosecutor's office went to court to gain access to the scene and even obtained a search warrant, a move state officials described in court records as unusual but necessary.

"In my 20-plus years at the BCA, prior to 2026, I had never encountered a situation in which federal authorities blocked BCA access to an incident where there is concurrent federal and state jurisdiction," Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said in a federal court filing.

U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud issued a temporary restraining order barring federal authorities from "destroying or altering" evidence in the case. Tostrud later dissolved the order, writing there was no evidence to justify its extension.

TheU.S. Justice Department openeda civil rights investigation into the Pretti shooting, which could potentially lead to criminal charges against the officers involved, though there is a high legal bar to bring such a case. U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened a separate internal investigation into the incident.

ICE, Border Patrol leaders face Congress over deadly Minnesota raids

The Justice Department previously declined to investigate the Good shooting, saying there's"no basis" for such an inquiry. That decision, as well as a push from top DOJ officials to instead investigate Good's wife, led to a wave of resignations at the U.S. attorney's office in Minnesota, according to multiple news outlets, includingThe New York TimesandNBC News.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement opened an internal investigation and is reviewing the conduct ofJonathan Ross, the agent who shot Good.

The Justice Department and ICE are also investigating whether the two officers involved in a shooting that injured Venezuelan immigrantJulio Cesar Sosa-Celislied under oath. Federal authorities launched the probe after video evidence appeared to contradict the officers' initial statements about the Jan. 14 shooting in Minneapolis.

Contributing: Reuters

Christopher Cann is a national breaking news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact him via email at ccann@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:FBI won't share evidence related to Alex Pretti shooting, state says