Zoe Saldana Interview

Zoe Saldana's Favorite Things

By Joan Wagner
Oprah.com | May 04, 2009

Actress Zoe Saldana is beaming up to the big screen in J.J. Abrams' new Star Trek film this summer. She takes a minute to share a few of her favorite things with Oprah.com's Screening Room.

Q: You're on the May cover of Women's Health magazine. What's your favorite way to stay in shape?

A: I think the older I get it becomes harder and harder because I only watch Food Network. I only like magazines, restaurant magazines. I love to eat, I love food, I love traveling and eating different foods from different regions—and I picked the worst business to be in for food lovers.

There are sacrifices that go into it, but at the same time too, you can't forget that you only live once, you have to enjoy the pleasures of life and you also have to enjoy the work in life. That means that if you like to eat, then work out, be healthy. Keep that heart strong and healthy!

Q: Do you have a favorite meal?

A: My mother's cooking. Anything she whips up in the kitchen I just have to eat twice.

Q: Do you have a favorite place to travel?

A: New York. I'm from New York, I was born and raised there. I've been out here in Los Angeles for two years now, so that has become my favorite place to travel to.

Every time I get to go back home, it's a thrill that I can't really explain. I guess you would need to be that much in love with your home or wherever you may be from to understand the warm sensation you get in your heart. And how your mouth waters when you know you're going to have your favorite pizza, your favorite hot dogs, rice and beans, Chinese food. There's nothing like New York Chinese food.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?

A: Nina Simone. I'm completely obsessed and enamored with her music and how bold and naked she was as an artist with her lyrics. Every now and then when I think about it, she passed away in April 2003, and I feel so sad that I never saw her live.

Q: What's your favorite way to spend a day off?

A: In bed with my dog. It's such a privilege to actually get to do that. I've been working on stuff since the year started, so when I get to have that one day—and it might not even be the entire day, just a couple of hours—I don't want to get up. It's a luxury to travel, but for somebody who travels a lot, it's a luxury to stay home.

Q: What are you most grateful for?

A: The friendship that I have with the people I love most.

Zoe opens up about her role in the new Star Trek film.

Printed from Oprah.com on Wednesday, June 19, 2013