During a candid interview, Zoe Saldana opened up about her ongoing struggles as an Afro-Latina actress facing barriers in the film industry, directly addressing the state of Hollywood diversity. Despite years of success, Saldana revealed that biases against women of color continue to restrict audition opportunities and career growth.
Struggles With Casting and Unspoken Racial Biases
After spending years building her career, Saldana told Porter Edit that she continues to face significant obstacles just to be considered for auditions. She shared her perspective on why these difficulties persist:
“I think it has a lot to do with race,”
—Zoe Saldana, Actress.
She elaborated on the systemic excuse used within the industry:
“‘Color doesn’t sell’ – they hide behind that excuse. But in reality, if you are in a position of leadership, that means that you have the responsibility to guide the narrative and re-shape it and put it on the right track. When you’re not setting that trend, then you are no different than the shackles that are binding you.”
—Zoe Saldana, Actress.
Early Career Disappointment and Typecasting
Saldana described how, during the beginning stages of her journey in entertainment, the landscape was even more challenging for women like her. She recounted an experience that highlights how she was cut off from opportunities to compete for major roles simply based on ethnicity:
“Every time I read a script, even if it was a period piece, I read it thinking that I was going to go after the lead role,”
—Zoe Saldana, Actress.
She continued, describing the realization brought by the way scripts were written:
“It wasn’t until I would come across the introduction of a supporting ethnic role that I realized, ‘Oh.’ I wasn’t even allowed to try to get that main role, because they want to go ‘traditional’ on the part…. It was a very hard pill to swallow.”
—Zoe Saldana, Actress.
Redefining Tradition and Embracing Heritage
As the star of “Columbiana,” Saldana also reflected on a moment when she was told she was not a “traditional American.” Rather than accept this, she challenged these narrow ideas by further embracing her own cultural background:
“I will never accept that I am not a traditional anything,”
—Zoe Saldana, Actress.
“I come from where I come from, I can’t change that, and you come from where you come from. But if you tell me that where you come from is the only right place, and therefore I don’t fit that traditional mold, let’s just establish, very clearly, that you are the one who’s wrong. Because everything about me and where I come from is just as right.”
—Zoe Saldana, Actress.
The Continuing Conversation on Diversity in Film
Zoe Saldana’s remarks highlight ongoing disappointment and frustration over the slow progress of diversity in Hollywood. Her experiences reflect broader struggles faced by many actresses of color trying to break ingrained casting patterns. As Saldana continues to advocate for change, her story signals a call for leaders in film and television to move beyond outdated excuses and foster true representation at every level of the industry.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How much did Zoe Saldana get paid for Avatar?
A. Movie studios rely on Zoe Saldana to lead films that earn billions of dollars. This has helped her net worth rise above $60 million.
When it comes to money, Zoe Saldana has done very well for herself. She did not just act in big movies—she earned huge paychecks.
For example, when she got the role in the first Avatar movie in 2009, she was paid $4 million right away. That is a strong amount for one film.
Q. How old was Zoe Saldana in Avatar?
A. Zoe Saldaña shared that she has dedicated 26 years to working on James Cameron’s Avatar movies. She began filming the first movie at age 28 and expects to finish the last film when she is 53 or 54.
Saldaña does not view this long commitment as a burden. Instead, she considers it a gift to play a character that has touched her and fans all over the world.
Q. What is Zoe’s race?
A. Zoe’s Race is an event held to raise money for families who need help making their homes easier to access. This support goes to local families who require modifications for better home accessibility.
Q. How much did Zoe Saldaña make from Avatar 2? According to reports, Zoe Saldaña earned $8 million for appearing in Avatar: The Way of Water. Her co-star, Sam Worthington, earned $10 million for appearing in the film—despite Saldaña’s resume and box office history far surpassing his.
A. Zoe Saldana was paid about $8 million for her role in Avatar 2. She played the character Neytiri in this science fiction movie. Her earnings reflect her importance in the film and her popularity as an actress.
