“She may be new to “Rent,” but Rosario Dawson is very familiar with the world it takes place in.”I grew up with people around me who were similar to the ones in ‘Rent,’” says Dawson, 26, who was raised by her parents in a squat in Alphabet City. “I had friends who were HIV-positive. A crackhouse was across the street.”‘Rent’ actually articulated things about my childhood I was never able to put into words. When the chance came to be in the movie, I thought, I have to do this.”Dawson, who co-starred in “Sin City” earlier this year, auditioned to play Mimi – the sexy, drug-addicted cage dancer – when Daphne Rubin-Vega, who created the role onstage, became pregnant.First, though, she had to prove she could sing and dance.”I knew I could do those things. And I was determined to work my butt off so I didn’t disappoint everyone.”But I grew up going against convention, and that gives you confidence to follow your heart. That’s ingrained in me, just as it’s ingrained in the characters Jonathan Larson created.”"[ SOURCE ]