Zoe Saldaña Faces Criticism Over Character Claim
Actress Zoe Saldaña has sparked controversy after stating that her character Neytiri from the Avatar series embodies a form of racism.
In a recent interview, she described Neytiri as someone driven by “blind hatred,” which culminates in her losing her vision due to her rage.
Saldaña pointed out that the love dynamic between Neytiri and Jake Sully—played by Sam Worthington—isn’t fully depicted, despite Sully’s attempts to highlight her misconceptions.
“She’s lost sight of the fact that the person she loves and respects the most is her husband. He’s human, and, well, somewhat empty. It takes a lot of courage for Jake to confront her and push for honesty, even knowing she’s in a broken state,” Saldaña explained. It seems he comprehends Neytiri’s trajectory better than she herself does.
She further emphasized the importance of exploring these emotions through the character, remarking, “It was powerful, and I think we really needed to go there. But I can’t describe how relieving it was to leave her behind at the end of each day.”
In the film series, Neytiri is a member of the Na’vi, an alien race known for their strength and pride. She falls for Jake, a human who initially infiltrates the Na’vi to aid humanity’s efforts. However, he ultimately becomes part of their resistance against the exploitation of their world.
Many fans have pushed back against Saldaña’s assertion that her character is racist, arguing that Neytiri is more focused on combating colonialism than exhibiting prejudice against humans.
“Who is she to say that?! Neytiri isn’t racist; she’s fighting against colonialism,” one fan remarked, while another added, “Her hatred isn’t about race—it’s about defending her home from invaders.”
Nevertheless, some supporters of Saldaña argue that she, as the actress who plays Neytiri and understands the character’s depth, has the right to express her interpretation.
After debuting in 2009, the latest installment, Avatar: Fire and Ash, has just been released in theaters.
