Zoe Yadira Saldana is an American actress, dancer, and model of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent. She is known for such best-selling films like Colombiana and Avatar. She is set to star in the upcoming film Star Trek Into Darkness and as Nina Simone in an upcoming biopic on the jazz singer.
Born in New Jersey, as a child Zoe moved to the Dominican Republic with her mother and sisters after her father’s passing. There she cultivated her love of dance and theater, taking ballet lessons and attending the ECOS Espacio de Danza Academy, a renowned school of dance in the Dominican Republic. When her family moved back to the United States she joined FACES Theater Company, a theater group for young adults.
It was her work with the New York Youth Theater, however, that got her noticed as an actress and helped her to land her debut role. Zoe was right up her alley starring as Eva Rodriguez in the 2000 film Center Stage, about a group of teenage dancers dealing with the ups and downs of professional dancing. Around this time she began dating fellow actor Keith Britton, who she later became engaged to in 2010.
Zoe appeared in various roles before playing Anamaria in the film Pirates of the Caribbean: , the first in a series of top films starring such actors as Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom.
As Eva in Center Stage
Although Pirates of the Caribbean increased her popularity and fan base, Zoe didn’t like her experience working on the film, saying “If that’s what I have to…go through to do a Hollywood movie, I’d rather do something else.” For a brief period she considered shunning Hollywood for the theater or professional dancing.
Future roles would impress her more positively as she starred in the critically acclaimed science fiction film Avatar in 2009. An admitted science fiction geek, Zoe enjoyed working on Avatar even though it was her most challenging role yet, requiring her to learn another language and play a non-human character. Earlier that year Zoe starred in Star Trek, a remake of the classic earlier film, securing her role in its 2013 sequel Into Darkness.
Zoe makes no apologies about embracing sexuality and sexual roles, being quoted several times on her views. She once stated, “Basically, there’s not enough sex in movies, that’s it. I’m trying to say it, people. I miss sex in movies because sex is natural, guns are not.” As for her own sexuality, above all, she is confident, famously saying in a Latina magazine interview:
“Look at me. I’m skinny, I have a big nose, no tits and no ass, but in a room full of beautiful women, I would still leave with the most gorgeous guy.”
Considering her previous roles have been as powerful and empowering women, is Zoe the new go-to actress for action films featuring a strong female lead? Possibly, and it’s a job she’d embrace saying, “I really hope so. That would be an awesome thing where it’s like, ‘Oh, we just need a kick ass female, call Zoe Saldana.’ I would love that.”
When not working on films Zoe makes her home in Los Angeles with her dog Mugsy.
See also:
aloftyexistence 
She is really beautiful. She reminds me of someone…but I can’t quite place who.
Froggie,
“She reminds me of someone…but I can’t quite place who.”
Me? I feel like you’ve said that before.
I wanted to add this picture but there was no space:
What a copycat, huh? 🙂
It is no small thing to have achieved the level of recognition and professional acumen that Zoe Saldana so confidently exemplifies.
Confidence in your abilities (innate and otherwise) provides an inherent Litmus test for those times when others, who are more insecure, attempt to bring you down to their sphere of pseudo-influence.
It will be interesting to watch the progression of this actress’ career path. Hopefully she will not only foster stronger roles for women in movies, but simultaneously encourage women in any industry to acquire and demonstrate, balanced and forthright perspectives on their quality and value as individuals in a (still) male-dominated world.
I didn’t know she was Anamaria! I was probably too busy staring at Johnny Depp’s guyliner.
When it comes to Avatar… Blah. I hated that one with a passion. I think she’s ok, but like she never manages to land a role that would suit her perfectly. For example, I bet there were many better candidates to play Nina Simone, but we’ll see.
Oh, hello Stafford. I haven’t seen you in a while.
I agree: it will be interesting to see how she progresses as an actress. In the beginning of her career I think she played safer, easier, and more cliche roles. Then she started playing the more dynamic roles that pushed her as an actress. So we’ll see where she goes from here. I definitely have to see her as Nina Simone.
She is my favorite Hispanic actress!
Mira,
“I didn’t know she was Anamaria!”
Yes she was. I thought you were a Pirates of the Caribbean fan, so you would know this? Maybe you’re just a Johnny Depp fan. 🙂
“I think she’s ok, but like she never manages to land a role that would suit her perfectly. For example, I bet there were many better candidates to play Nina Simone, but we’ll see.”
Well, Mary J Blige was the original casting but she couldn’t do it, for various reasons. I think she was the best choice; she and Nina gave a similar vibe to me.
Several people mentioned Jill Scott. Nina Simone’s daughter wrote on her mother’s Facebook fan page that she doesn’t agree with the choice of Zoe and she would have chosen Viola Davis or Kimberly Elise. She said her mother herself wanted Whoopi Goldberg to play her in her life story.
Most of the objections to her playing Nina come down to her appearance, supposedly she is too light and doesn’t have similar bone structure. Maybe her features are slightly different (although not really), but the color thing makes no sense. Mary J Blige, Jill Scott, Zoe, and Kimberly Elise are all around the same complexion, plus black people can look any color depending on the lighting and make-up. I’m sure they’ll have no trouble making Zoe up as Nina. She gained weight for the movie as well.
But it’s okay if no one likes Zoe as Nina Simone, I have no issues with her playing me in my life story. 😛
Haven’t got a clue who she is, but I agree with her that there is too much violence and not enough sex in films. However if she feels that way maybe she should try the porn industry. They like girls with a skinny ass but she would probably need a boob job.
I like Zoe, she’s totally unapologetic about her like of her fondness of white men.
Dominican republic? Ain’t that were black men go and buy little girls? Those who can’t afford to go to Brazil that is.
It’s not that I don’t like the idea of Zoe playing Nina Simone; it’s that she seems like a surprising choice. The way Daniel Craig was totally a surprising choice for James Bond (instead of my favourite for the role, Clive Owen) but he proved to be ok for the role (or so they say; I haven’t watched any of his Bond movies… Not even the one with the probably the most hilarious movie mistake in recent history, where a fast train runs through plains of Montenegro… MONTENEGRO!, probably one of the most mountainous regions in Europe. I mean, WTF?)
Anyway, where was I? Oh, yes, Zoe. She might prove to be an excellent choice. She doesn’t look that much like Nina, but it all depends on her body language and transformation. It will be interesting to see the result.
PS- Sure I was into Pirates of the Caribbean only because of Johnny Depp. I’m not even ashamed to admit it. Ok, and oceans. I love the sea.
Froggie,
“She is my favorite Hispanic actress!”
Yeah, sure. 😉
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Nkosazana,
“Dominican republic? Ain’t that were black men go and buy little girls?”
I don’t know anything about this…
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billy,
She made a joke once about getting breast implants but lol, porn — I think not.
Mira,
“Zoe. She might prove to be an excellent choice. She doesn’t look that much like Nina, but it all depends on her body language and transformation. It will be interesting to see the result.”
That’s why I really want to see her in the role. I think it will show her depth as an actress because she isn’t the most obvious choice and their personalities are so different.
As far as her transforming, I’ve heard she wears a prosthetic nose, big Afro, and dark brown body make-up in the movie. So it shall be interesting to see!
Wot?. Alee, we look like twins then!!!. Ok, kidding. I do resemble Zoe Saldana only in body, ie, when she was slimmer, but I look more like, Whoppi Goldberg, facially.
And, am I the only black female who think big derrière are overrated?.
Mira, NO BLOODY WAY Clive Owen and Bond. I would protest!!!.
Mira, NO BLOODY WAY Clive Owen and Bond. I would protest!!!.
Oh, why?
Why?. He’s just not that sauve, there’s just something so bland about him. Sure it’s my personal taste, but I think the Bond franchise wanted to move it into the digital diva era and they’ve done a wonderful job in picking that fella(can’t remember his name. Major hangover!!), Clive Owen would have kept ME out of watching any Bond films, it’d be like casting Denzel Washington, or Wesley Snipes. Major MEH!.(double MEH for lip smacking Washington!!!).
Ahahaha! I like Clive Owen but I suppose they wanted to update Bond. The thing is that this franchise is really not the same after the fall of the Berlin wall and the end of communism. So they keep trying different things.
It’s Daniel Craig, btw. (I hope I spelled his name right).
Yup, that’s his name. Major yummy with his blonde hair and blue eyes. Not a fan of his mouth though. Ways poutier than mine. Too feminine. Like masculine thin hard lips. kno wot I mean?.
I actually thought the last Bond was really good. I’m happy they used more European actors this time around. Was getting fedup not hearing an English twang. Wasn’t that Javier Bardem FREAKING awesome?!!!. And Naomie Harris was sooo cute with her playful English humour. Don’t know if replacing M, that most esteemed actress Judy Dench, with Ralph Fiennes is a good idea. Don’t know if I like him, but then, I’m an admitted womanist, but too, Judy Dench is just so FREAKING awesome!!!.
foosrock!
I’ll send my reply in the Clouds. It’s getting a bit off topic here. 😉
foosrock,
“Wot?. Alee, we look like twins then!!! Ok, kidding. I do resemble Zoe Saldana only in body, ie, when she was slimmer”
I don’t think I look like her, I just remember Froggie saying that once or twice. Even our body types are different; she has a straight and top heavy body, you can tell when she gains weight. Maybe if you look from far away we look alike…I do have a picture just like the glasses one I posted though.
“And, am I the only black female who think big derrière are overrated?”
They’re even more popular with Hispanics. But I guess it depends on what you mean by big. Shapely is good.
Zoe Saldana is such a pretty lady. I liked her in Guess Who and Avatar. I think she and Kerry Washington are great actors.
Hi mkhululie,
I agree with Kerry Washington; I like her too. 🙂