Wed Dec 24 20:30:00 UTC 2025: News Article:

Zoe Saldaña Sparks Controversy by Calling Her ‘Avatar’ Character Neytiri “Racist”

Los Angeles, CA – Zoe Saldaña, star of the blockbuster “Avatar” franchise, has ignited a firestorm of debate after describing her character, Neytiri, as “racist” in a recent interview promoting “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”

Saldaña, 47, told CinemaBlend that Neytiri’s “blind fury” causes her to lose sight of the fact that her husband, Jake Sully (played by Sam Worthington), is human. “She loses sight that the person that she loves the most and respects the most in her life is her husband, and he is human, he’s a sky-person,” Saldaña stated, emphasizing the courage it takes for Jake to confront Neytiri about her behavior.

The actress, who has played the fierce Na’vi warrior since 2009, further elaborated on the emotional toll the role takes on her, stating it was “great to also take her off every evening and just put her on the side and just go home without her weight on me.”

Saldaña’s comments have quickly gone viral on TikTok, sparking both outrage and support. Many fans have criticized her characterization, arguing that Neytiri’s animosity stems from the colonization and destruction of her home by humans, not from racial prejudice. “Nah I don’t like calling a character racist against colonizers that destroyed her planet, home, land, village, family and culture,” one user wrote. Others echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that Neytiri’s “hate has NOTHING to do with race… it’s because she’s sick and tired of her home being attacked and colonised.”

However, some have defended Saldaña, asserting that she, as the actress who embodies Neytiri, has the right to interpret her character. “yall zoe saldana has played neytiri for 18 YEARS she knows her character better than anyone,” one fan commented. Another stated “Ya’ll she literally IS NAYTIRI. You can’t argue when the facts are coming from the direct source.”

Saldaña previously spoke to Deadline about the significance of her long-term role in the “Avatar” franchise, which is slated to have five films total and the impact the films had on communities around the world. “That’s a gift to be able to revisit a character that has given me so much,” she stated.

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” is currently in theaters. A representative for Saldaña has been contacted for comment.

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