Zoë Saldaña
Saldaña in 2011, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Zoë Yadira Saldaña Nazario
Place of Birth: Passaic, New Jersey, U.S.
Date of Birth: June 19, 1978
Ethnicity: Dominican Republic, Puerto Rican, evidently small amount of Lebanese and Haitian
Zoë Saldaña is an American actress and dancer. She has starred as Uhura in the rebooted Star Trek films, Neytiri in the Avatar franchise, and Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy/the MCU. She is also known for her roles in the films Center Stage, Get Over It, Crossroads, Drumline, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, The Terminal, Haven, Guess Who, Constellation, Premium, The Heart Specialist, After Sex, Blackout (2007), Vantage Point, The Skeptic, Death at a Funeral (2010), The Losers, Takers, Burning Palms, Colombiana, The Words, Blood Ties, Out of the Furnace, Infinitely Polar Bear, The Book of Life, Nina (2016), Live by Night, I Kill Giants, Missing Link, Vampires vs. the Bronx, Vivo, The Adam Project, and Amsterdam, and on television’s Rosemary’s Baby, Maya and the Three, and From Scratch.
Zoë is the daughter of Asalia Nazario and Aridio A. Saldaña. She is a black Latina. Her father was born in Cotui Pro Sa, Dominican Republic. Her mother is Puerto Rican. Zoë has described herself as “three quarters Dominican and a quarter Puerto Rican.” She was initially raised in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, then spending a few years in the Dominican Republic after her father’s death; before moving back to Queens.
She is also said to have some degree of Lebanese and Haitian ancestry. She speaks English and Spanish fluently. Pictures of Zoë’s family members can be seen here.
Zoë is married to Italian artist Marco Perego, with whom she has three children.
Zoë has said:
There’s no one way to be black… I’m black the way I know how to be. You have no idea who I am. I am black. I’m raising black men.
Saldaña and her husband Marco Perego at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2015, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com
I personally is of cuban,puerto rican and my mom is african american. I hate being considered black,specially since I dont practice in the teachings,values or culture. I dont even why a latina would wanna deny what she is…but it seems like people are hating where they came from. My grandparents are always stressing how important it is to stay within the culture, and after marrying my wife from colombia I truly see that I love my latin culture. My mom always dated outside her race because of the issues blacks share. She always felt different cultures have different issues and after living and workin in Atlanta,Ga with mostly african americans they do have a large way of doin and seein things from what I am used to. and be honest their way of thinkin is very difficult for me. But even with complexion it all depends on where I am, in new york i get mistaken for dominican, and in miami people automatically think I am cuban. They say I have roberto clemente’s complexion. And to me its not about what someone calls me but rather what I answer to!! And for ones that say that looking black makes u black. I say that is bullsh*t! because if thats the case why those same rules dont apply to others. Being born in New Orleans,La. I see italians separate themselves from irish and french. Chinese and koreans are distinctly different despite their look. I wonder why certain people still cant get the concept. And I strongly agree with “Anonymous”.
@cuban
How is her saying she’s a black women denying anything?Latino is a cultural ID,any color can be it,however she sees a black woman.Doesn’t mean she’s denying her heritage.For some reason,you see black as not being part of what makes the latino culture,which btw has been there from the begining.Also unless your mom is from another planet,she didn’t date outside her race,culture yes.Now they say you look like reberto,and to you,he doesn’t look like a black person?because to me,there’s mistaking him for a black man,although I do understand he’s PR.All that means is that he’s from a different culture,history but still a black person.Japanese and chinese although different culture and history,are still asian.Itailians and Irish still are consider white people,so I don’t see your point,except you want to be seen as something else.Which is a common thing in latin countries
I strongly disagree, being Colombian I get mistaken for white by black people and I laugh cause white people automatically know I’m not white. And from what I see in history in America blacks barely know their own history and still have the nerve to teach someone else what they are. I have quite a few Dominican and Cuban friends and I would never consider them anything else but Latin. The biggest issue I see is that people in the states try to twist things and cultures and I give Cuba respect for staying to roots and being strong minded enough to represent himself and where he from. Cause according to you the world only consist of black and white from what I read….but the world is much bigger than that. Right now my god son is part Nicaraguan and half Asian….so according to u what is he?….Cuba keep representin! I am out and that is all!
@Colombianking
If white people can tell your non-white,but those black people can’t.It’s most likely your dealing with a bunch of knuckleheads.Now it’s true the average AA doesn’t know there history,but I’m not one of those.I’ve studied our history very well.No one is saying (CubaRico or anyone else is not Latino)What I said was if a man looks like this:
Roberto Clemente:
http://www.steadyburn.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/roberto-clemente-3.jpg
stands there and tells me,he’s not a black man,I find it kinda hard to go along with it.I highly doubt anyone looking at him,would say otherwise.It has nothing to do with his cultural Identity.Now (CubaRico) says he hate being seen as a black man.To me,that’s saying he hate that part of himself,which I said was very common down there..If he said he hated being seen as African American(since your guys only seem to see us as black people),that’s totally different.That’s a cultural thing,he wish to embrace his latin heritage,and that fine,that’s his right.Also as far as your friends go,again that cultural Identity(Dominican and Cuban)doesn’t tell you what someone looks like.Now,I’m not trying to twist anything,he is still a black man,except with a different(cultural upbringing,language,and cultural history),how is that twisting things?I mean you can put a suit on a duck,but it’s still a duck.Also as far as your godson,he’s half asian and half whatever kind of Nicaraguan he is.This is not strange to me,I have a close family friend who is this type of combo.So if your godson said he was latino,it would surprise me.That’s a cultural Identity,it doesn’t tell you what he is.See your the one who is twisting things,(CubaRico)said he hated being seen as black,like it’s some kind of sickness or Disease.
Lol….thanks colombianking, u made a valid point. I don’t understand how the whites I work with knew I am latino descent. I brought up this conversation at work and even white people disagree with the classification. It’s just odd to me how one group of people think different than others. It sort of reminds me of religion…lol. and even someone else on here made a valid point about that all people were descendants from Africa, whether French, Latin or Eskimo. So why rules all of a sudden change when certain people or applied. And I find it funny that another culture try to tell me about my own….but that’s the American way…lol. but I am bull-headed and definitely know how I am goin to raise my children. Even when I lived in La. U had a large portion of creole that didn’t consider themselves black either. Some would be considered pasan blanc I think it is in french. And it meant that they had white features. And for the comment about a disease, I work in a company of and in my area their are 20 employees 1 latino, which is me and 2 whites. The rest are black, and for me listening to the issues and views they have, makes me really see how different I am. And they explain things to me about how blacksmith America got to the point now. And I work aroundbthe health fielding Atlanta, and to see the statistics
To CubaRico
There are lots of ways they could have found out you background.Also any white person in Ga. that told you they disagree with the classifications,mostly like were pulling your leg.Now what I said to you had nothing to with culture.You said you hated being seen as a black man,which means you are one.You used Roberto Clemente as an example of what you look like,he’s a black man;anyone with 20/20 can see that.Are you both Latino,Yes you are, no one has said otherwise.Now your doing the same thing,putting all AA in the same box,as if we all have the same issues.Now what do you mean about blacksmith America?
White people pulling my leg…Lol. Now since I been here in Ga. It depends on whom you talking to. Cause the people from Ga. black or white or still in a white/black mindset. But the people I work with are all from chicago,boston,california,new york,trinidad, and the only person from Ga. is my boss. The whites that I see that have a different perspective are from somewhere else, but the ones at my gym they always say they not used seeing people from other countries. So it is depending on who you talking to, but what do you expect? Its the south and Ga. was one of those states that had alot of issues with race relations for a longtime.(ask me they still do) Whats worst is that I work in south atlanta and it is largely black. My boss tells me that Atlanta has a interstate (I-20) that separates the two sides. North were the whites and south were blacks. I been to alot of cities but is by the far the weirdest city I been to. They have a small latino population and they are even passing a law right now as I speak to pull over latinos to make sure they have legal documentation with out needing a reason. I was approached by a cop in sam’s parking lot and when he was running my info he asked me if I had legal documentation for resident. And I was born in the U.S. So it is quite different from most states.
To CubaRico
One other thing,Now please state which large portion of creoles stated they were not black?How many have you actually met?Because I’ve talked to Creoles my whole live,and I never heard that.Now I’m talking about old Creoles(high yella,to dam near white to white).I do know it went on in the past,(brown paper bag test etc)Now except for certain celebs,and those whom have pass,I haven’t heard that lately.There are sites about creoles whom embrace their African heritage.So again,which large portion are you talking about
For one, The lady I am currently renting my condo/townhome from has told me 3-4 occasions that she is creole from a part of La. Also there is this big creole restaurant thats in New Orleans, and its run and owned by a creole family. My mom was friends with these people since high school and they all married or only dated white/spanish men cause they dont view themselves as black. Even when I was in school(which is the same school my mom attended) Their offspring which were related went to school their too. I used to speak to them often, and they used to claim the same thing. My dad had a daughter with another woman and she claims they are “pasan blanc”(I am not french so excuse the spelling) which means “passing for white” in french. So I do know quite a few creoles that claim something other than black. And right now as we speak, my coworker from work is part creole,american indian and black from california, and she doesnt claim black. And alot of these same people, when they saw I was part cuban,puerto rican and my mom african american, considered me creole due to Louisiana standards. But my family tree is really throwed. My Grandfather is part Spanish(from Spain) from his mom and his dad was German from Cuba being a communist faction back in the day. My grandma dad was from venezuela and her mom is creole and puerto rican. My dad was born in Puerto rico but raised in La. the area they live in was mostly creole and italian neighborhood but mostly dominican now. My grandma looks like a Indian(not american indian) but those indians from India. And my grandfather was white by complexion with dark hair. My mom side of the family is from florida so they have quite a bit of american indian and my great grandmother whom passed away just after hurricane katrina was part white and american indian. She married a black doctor and that started my grandma to my mother start of the family. So I do have quite a bit of diversity. My wife is colombian, My brother wife is from Nicaragua, One of my sisters baby father is italian and my other sister is dating a haitian guy. But you would be surprised how much race and culture is seen in La. I have classmates that are black but check off American Indian on paperwork, even contribute to New Orleans indian tradition. Thats why I joined in this whole discussion because it funny how some people see things SOO MUCH different.
According to IMDb, in a quote, she has stated:
“When I go to the D.R., the press in Santo Domingo always asks, “¿Qué te consideras, dominicana o americana?” (What do you consider yourself, Dominican or American?) I don’t understand it, and it’s the same people asking the same question. So I say, time and time again, “Yo soy una mujer negra.” (“I am a black woman.”) [They go,] “Oh, no, tú eres trigueñita.” (“Oh no, you are ‘dark skinned'”) I’m like, “No! Let’s get it straight, yo soy una mujer negra.” (“I am a black woman.”)”
She is Puerto Rican and Dominican. But these are not races, they are only cultures/nationalities. She also has Lebanese, Indian, Irish, and Jamaican lineage.
She tends to play black characters, and has said that she sees herself as a black woman.
In America, usually race is based simply on what people see as opposed to what they are. For example, when you look at Halle Berry or Barack Obama, if you didnt know them at all, never heard of them or anything, you would assume they are black (some would question whether they were “light skinned” black or if they were mixed, but none would really be 100% sure until they asked).
Being black does not equate to being “African American”. Black is just the skintone. There are White Hispanics and even Black Hispanics. Once again, most people in America, assume and label based on the outer appearances and make conclusions off of that.
Also, People can self identify how they please. Even if she has Latina heritage, she can identify herself as black, since she is in skintone, black. Just like with Obama and Halle, they both self identify (for their own personal reasons) as black (sometimes interchanging it with biracial).
Although self identity, is more or less just how the person sees themselves (and is usually based off of their own personal experiences in life), usually by society’s standards, no one cares for or respects your decision of how you self identify. Society in itself is very boxed in, and prefers to label to their own fitting.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_zoe_saldana_black#ixzz1FWPeCwe2
@DWadeP
no shes in the latino cateqory but
shes black ; shes black because shes afro latino
afro means african yu can look at her & tell so
techniquely shes afro latino so srry to break it too yuu but
she is actually black.
No she is Dominican & Puerto Rican which means she is Hispanic!!!
to ecofriendly,
you clearly dont know what you’re talking about.
hispanic is a nationality NOT a race, therefore, her RACE is black/mixed possibly native, her ethnicity is dominican/puerto rican and her nationality is dominican/puerto rican american (hispanic)
there are people from all races in latin america. you dont have to be white to be hispanic there are black and native hispanic people too.
i should know, im dominican
You’re stupid! Dominicans and Puerto ricans can be black ! And hispanic is not a race !
the scientist (and for those of you who think white is right)white scientist discovered factual evidence that the human race originated in africa. if you want to argue with the facts thats just ignorant and un intelligent and uneducated. therefore the whole human race is african. we are all one race the human race living on planet earth. to drop some high science for those who can take it there’s no north no south no east no west no americas no europe no africa just planet earth.unify your mind and realize we are the all of everything. this way no need to discuss this further. certain people in society came up with devisive tactics in order to keep people at each others throat over bs about where you from and what race you are and on and on . this has been done since antiquity(ancient times) to control the masses who don’t take the time to research information but just swallow what ever you are told.this way as in today the rich people in the town got too much money to burn while the poor people in the city got no money and ain’t it a pity. why the government them a claim inflation is there game.for those who have ears to hear or eyes to read so be it . the truth is within. if you know how to reach it or recognize it when it’s told to you. rastafari. one love ,oneheart,one aim one destiny.so be it.
truth.
check out my comment under truth
I think climate is another part that makes you who you are.Since say like one of the country Africa is really hot there I feel like people got darker and everything because of it,which you probably already kno.So lets say there are these two girls from africa really long long time ago before everything and so and the climate still hasn’t got to them and change them.One stays in africa while the other goes and lives somewhere else in a cold climate and they come back and one stays or turns lighter and the other turns dark but people wouldn’t believe there sisters because they both look completely different and that the light one is full african.So yeah we might have originate from africa but doesn’t mean we are african or that we first started dark,basically I feel like people moved out before they got dark or had the african culture or so and made there own.I’m not against anything your saying its just when you said that it reminded me of something i’ve been thinking about before and wanted to let you people kno what i was thinking in my head,its just something to think about.
To Anonoymous
No disagreement,brown most likely was the color.I’m basing it on the Bushmen,who are said to be the oldest people.Also moving to different areas is the reason why people change color.This was written by and African a long time ago who notice the same thing,sorry can’t remember his name.Climate and food will change people,it does take time.This is why you have all those different features in Africa,from black to this entire tribe that are blue or purple.Oh back migration also had something to do with it
She looks like to me be afro asiatic(old term) or afro asian(new term)There many groups of North East Africa, so call Middle East, which is acient term was call Asia Minor and through Asia that were consider Afro Asiatic. African (new term) = Alkebulan (Indigenous ancient term for the continent of Africa), Indigenous America, English, Italian, French, Spanish and possibly Irish too heritage on my mother side of the family alone. But I consider myself Black, very Melanin dominant too and very comfortable too with it. Just like King Solomon was very comfortable to being a Black man and his first wife he married was a Black woman the Queen of Sheba aka the Queen of the South, the Ethiopian Queen. But of more ancient origin I am Cushites = Kushite and Mizraimites.