Zoe Saldaña, the newest Sci-Fi diva from the Caribbean

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - She's been the Dominican Republic's little girl for a while, even before the successful movie Avatar or now, when her face, digitalized and dyed blue, is on front pages all over the world.

Zoe Saldaña, 31, definitely has become the pride of the Dominican Republic, where she lived for seven years after residing in New Jersey for her first 10. Now, she personifies the Dominican girl who returned to the United States to achieve stardom.

But her fame extends far beyond the island of Hispaniola.

"I haven't had time to realize whether I'm famous," she told Infosurhoy.com. "I don't dwell on it. It's been a short journey because I've enjoyed learning a lot and because I hope to continue to work at a pace that keeps me looking straight ahead."

Director James Cameron's new muse is a break from the mold of actresses who have long dominated Hollywood, as Avatar has ruled the box office and received nine Oscar nominations.

As Saldaña is on the verge of becoming the next queen of the red carpet with her name emblazoned in bright lights, she remains humble.

"The best thing has been to work with successful people who have kept their feet on the ground and who have shown me how to be generous with my talent and my abilities," she said.

The worst: "Having to work when I don't want to."

She said her success is rooted in the advice given to her by her mother.

"It hasn't been hard to keep my feet on the ground because my mom makes sure I don't lose perspective," she said. "A couple of 'taps' keep me stepping where I should be stepping."

After her success as Nyota Uhura in last year's blockbuster Star Trek followed by her brilliance as Neytiri in Avatar - the first film to gross US$2 billion internationally - many see Saldaña as the new female symbol of science fiction movies. She's following in the footsteps of actress Sigourney Weaver, who starred in the movie series Aliens and Ghostbusters.

"Everything that has to do with Sigourney is enriching," Saldaña said. "She is every bit a lady, on top of her qualities as an actress. I have to say I love science fiction movies and if I become an image for that genre, I would enjoy it very much."

But Saldaña isn't limiting herself. She's already landed roles in The Losers, a film based on the comic strip by the same name; Takers, a crime thriller directed by John Luessenhop; Death at a Funeral, a remake of the British comedy of the same name; Burning Palms, a satirical film that incorporates five stories; and of course, a role in the next edition of Star Trek, which is scheduled to hit theaters in 2012.

"I hope to keep on working: It's what interests me the most," Saldaña said. "I have to take advantage of my age and of the fact that I still enjoy being in front of the cameras as I work towards being behind them. That's part of my ultimate dream."

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