Zoë Saldana
All Blacked Out
Words By Andre J Durall
Portrait by Andre J Durall
There is something about a woman in a little black dress: a certain je ne sais quoi that hints at something classic, hip, mature and altogether sexy. There is also something about Zoë Saldana. You’ve seen it. Whether it was the fiery spunk she gave off as a pirate on Johnny Depp’s ship in the first Pirates of the Caribbean or the nurturing support she exuded when she had Nick Cannon’s back in Drumline, Zoë is one of those rare actresses capable of effortlessly suspending your sense of disbelief. In simple terms, Zoë is good at what she does. And what she does (among other things) is radiate talent... while looking damn good doing it. The Queens native is known for her beauty as much as for her talent and when we shot her on the set of Blackout in Brooklyn she made quite a visual impression.
Blackout, also starring Melvin Van Peebles and Jeffrey Wright, is slated for a 2007 release by Uptown Movie Network. Jerry LaMothe, a New York native who rose to prominence on the independent film festival circuit, wrote and directed the film, which focuses on the approximately twenty-four hour blackout that occurred in New York City on August 14, 2003. LaMothe channeled some of his experiences during the blackout into a screenplay that addresses issues of criminal opportunism as well as rallying for community solidarity. Saldana herself was in New York when the blackout occurred, and while her experience was better than many, she certainly learned the value of a good pair of walking shoes. When the lights went out, "We were all getting our hair done on 65th-my mom and my sisters," says Saldana. "My dad managed to find us and we walked the Queensboro Bridge back to Queens." From there, the family walked to Forest Hills. "I had on these comfortable cowboy boots that I just picked up in Montana but try walking miles in them. It's not cool," she says with a laugh. We're sure she managed to look fly the whole way. Otherwise she simply wouldn't be Zoë Saldana.
All Blacked Out
Words By Andre J Durall
Portrait by Andre J Durall
There is something about a woman in a little black dress: a certain je ne sais quoi that hints at something classic, hip, mature and altogether sexy. There is also something about Zoë Saldana. You’ve seen it. Whether it was the fiery spunk she gave off as a pirate on Johnny Depp’s ship in the first Pirates of the Caribbean or the nurturing support she exuded when she had Nick Cannon’s back in Drumline, Zoë is one of those rare actresses capable of effortlessly suspending your sense of disbelief. In simple terms, Zoë is good at what she does. And what she does (among other things) is radiate talent... while looking damn good doing it. The Queens native is known for her beauty as much as for her talent and when we shot her on the set of Blackout in Brooklyn she made quite a visual impression.
Let's back up a bit. If you missed Zoë Saldana's first major film role-playing an aspiring ballerina in Center Stage-or the afore mentioned Drumline and Pirates of the Caribbean, be sure to catch her in her upcoming film Blackout where, ironically, she plays an employee at UPTOWN magazine. Since her art was imitating our life, so to speak, a role reversal seemed apropos. And what better way to capture the theme of Blackout (and the simply elegant essence of Zoë) than by dressing the lovely lady in black?
Blackout, also starring Melvin Van Peebles and Jeffrey Wright, is slated for a 2007 release by Uptown Movie Network. Jerry LaMothe, a New York native who rose to prominence on the independent film festival circuit, wrote and directed the film, which focuses on the approximately twenty-four hour blackout that occurred in New York City on August 14, 2003. LaMothe channeled some of his experiences during the blackout into a screenplay that addresses issues of criminal opportunism as well as rallying for community solidarity. Saldana herself was in New York when the blackout occurred, and while her experience was better than many, she certainly learned the value of a good pair of walking shoes. When the lights went out, "We were all getting our hair done on 65th-my mom and my sisters," says Saldana. "My dad managed to find us and we walked the Queensboro Bridge back to Queens." From there, the family walked to Forest Hills. "I had on these comfortable cowboy boots that I just picked up in Montana but try walking miles in them. It's not cool," she says with a laugh. We're sure she managed to look fly the whole way. Otherwise she simply wouldn't be Zoë Saldana.
