In 2009, Zoe Saldaña's fame grew to new levels when she starred in J.J. Abram's blockbuster action-sci-fi film "Star Trek," which went on to receive four 2010 Academy Award nominations. The actress played 'Nyota Uhura' opposite Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto. She reprises the role in "Star Trek Into Darkness".

Saldaña relished the chance to show new sides of Uhura, the ravishing, no-nonsense xenolinguist who puts her skills for listening and interpreting to vital use as the Enterprise’s Communications Officer. “Go where no man has gone before, literally, in terms of giving the female roles in the show a little more relevance. I think that was very important and J.J. has been known for being a writer that writes amazing roles for women and gives them a great and very accurate presence in his projects,” she said. 

She commented on Uhura’s presence in the sequel, “Uhura was basically the operator in the show. And still, she was such a relevant character at that time and so revolutionary. We’ve given her a lot of importance. I’m very appreciative that I was able to evolve as a character and not just be on the Enterprise running around in a beautiful tight red dress.” Nichelle Nichols, the actress who played Uhura in the "Star Trek" television series, was very supportive of Saldaña. Having her blessing was fundamental in her portraying the part.

We asked her if she was a “Star Trek” fan before getting involved with the franchise to what she replied, “No. Star Wars, Metropolis, Blade Runner, Terminator, those were the films that I grew up watching. I wasn’t aware of the essence of Star Trek until I did The Terminal and I played a ‘trekkie’ and my mom told me a little bit about it. To know the whole concept of Star Trek, that it was of peace and how Gene Roddenberry literally wanted to see in his lifetime, even though it was a utopian idealism, a Russian, an African American woman, an American man and a Japanese man all work for the sake of peace. I do believe at sometimes art can imitate life and show us the kind of people that we should be.”  

The New Yorker of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent has become the poster child for diversity in Hollywood. She has built her reputation as a versatile and respected actress by choosing roles that she feels passionately about. “I wasn’t raised to be a president’s wife, I was raised to be the president if I wanted to.” She continued, “I’m walking beside somebody, I’m never gonna walk in front or behind. I cannot give an inaccurate representation of who I am as a person in my art.” 

We look forward to seeing her in upcoming dramas "Out of the Furnace" with Christian Bale, "Blood Ties" co-starring Clive Owen and playing pianist, singer and activist Nina Simone in the biopic "Nina".

Star Trek Into Darkness beams into theaters May 17th.