Trendsetter Spotlight: Zoe Saldana - Portrait Magazine, September 2010

Trendsetter Spotlight: Zoe Saldana
Written by Hannah R., 17 (UK)



Up until a few years ago, Zoe Saldana was virtually unknown. It wasn’t until a breakthrough role in two huge, Hollywood blockbuster movies that propelled the half Puerto Rican, half Dominican beauty to success…and even more so into fashionistas eyes for her standout style and risk taking outfits. Already appearing in high end magazines like Elle, Glamour and GQ, this 5’7” beauty is taking the industry by storm, but sticks to her morals when it comes to the movie industry’s typecasting. “I don’t understand labels. I don’t need anybody to tell me I’m Latina or black or anything else. I’ve played characters that were written for Caucasian females, I just want to be given the same consideration as everybody else, and so far that has been happening.”


2010 proved to be a worthy year for this actress as she starred in Death at a Funeral and The Losers as the sassy, butt-kicking Aisha. The viewers also can’t forget her touching yet tough performance of Neytiri in Avatar, a film which became the highest grossed movie in the US and Canada, whilst also breaking several box office records at the same time. With a big action movie to come out this year and two more movies in the pipeline, this girl is an actress to be reckoned with and is proof with a little extra hard work, you can achieve anything.

When asked about her personnel style, Zoe replied “I wear black a lot and I like solid colors. Like me, they’re independent, bold and decisive”. This is clearly reflected in Zoe’s choice of wardrobe as her personality is shown in her choice of outfits.


When it comes to major events, like the GQ Glamour Awards 2010 where Zoe won the Best Actress Award, she prefers to go for short and sexy, but still staying true to her preference of bold color in a Chantilly Lace Vionnet mini-dress. This actress also has a strong fondness over Calvin Klein and was announced as the face and body of the Autumn/Winter 2010 Underwear promotional campaign, following in the footsteps of Eva Mendes, Kate Moss and Scarlett Johansson. When discussing the designer and label, she eloquently stated “Calvin Klein has always put forth such beautifully executed campaigns. It’s very exciting for me to be associated with such an iconic, globally recognised brand like Calvin Klein Underwear.” No one can say this star isn’t any less then humble and polite!

Staying true to her love for the Calvin Klein brand, Zoe sparkles in a shimmering, navy, Calvin Klein dress at the Met Gala 2010. She also supported the designer by appearing at the design house’s fashion show in Berlin, wearing a grey cut off dress which flattered her tall figure and wearing a white, Calvin Klein dress from the collection in late 2009 at the Elle Women in Hollywood Tribute.


This actress also knows how to kick it back casual when she made an appearance at the Nick Kids Choice Awards 2010 wearing blue skinny jeans and short blazer, paired with nude high heels. She then switched it up at the Oscar’s in a purple and blue strapless bubble dress and then again at the Oscar’s after party in a dramatic nude and red Givenchy Haute Couture dress by Riccardo Tisci.


Zoe has been working hard this year to establish her own name in the movie industry as a respected and hard working career women. This girl oozes personality and is an esteemed women on her own rights. As a fashion risk taker and go-getter, she is a role model to all girls and not only in her style. In April 2010, she was feted alongside Daisy Fuentes for her continuing support and dedication to children’s causes around the world. Speaking at the St. Jude Children’s Hospital Stars For Life gala, she says she is “grateful for receiving this great honour and to be a part of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For me, the greatest reward is knowing that I am helping to bring awareness to the work of St. Jude and helping so many children in need around the world”.

Zoe currently has the action/thriller “Takers” to be released soon which stars Paul Walker, Matt Dillon, Hayden Christensen, Chris Brown and T.I. “Takers” is due to be released August 27th in the US and 17th September in the UK. She also has the “Star Trek sequel” to be made and the French movie “Colombiana” about a girl who witnesses her parents being murdered and grows up to be a stone cold assassin. This actresses movie roles are as varied as her fashion and she definitely sticks to her statement about not wanting to be typecast into anything.



(left to right) Losers (Aisha), Avatar (Neytiri), Death At A Funeral (Elaine), Star Trek (Nyota Uhura)

But surely underneath those layers of confidence and independence is a clumsy, self conscious girl like the rest of us? Well, I’ll let Zoe end this article on a sudden but cheerful note by saying, “I’m very proud to say I am a huge geek!” and it’s working extremely well for her!


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