For Zoe Saldana it’s not a question of whether her children will learn another language, but how many.
The “Guardians of the Galaxy” star graces the cover of Cosmopolitan for Latina’s September issue with a flirty smile and barely-there blue dress. In an interview with the magazine, Saldana spoke about her deep connection to her heritage and how she plans to make sure her children will be multilingual.
The half-Dominican, half-Puerto Rican actress is no stranger to Cosmo For Latinas. In fact, Saldana was featured on the magazine’s very first issue in May 2012. During the launch party, the star told The Huffington Post she didn’t feel she could pose for any magazine she fancied.
"There are a lot of magazines that are still sort of... that only cater to a certain demographic and only put certain people on their covers," Saldana told HuffPo. "And that's fine - I never lose hope that one day certain big magazines can broaden their exposure of what is an American face."
Things have definitely changed for Saldana, 35, who has since then starred blockbusters like “Star Trek: Into The Darkness” and “Guardians” while working on the much anticipated sequels to “Avatar.”
The actress, who lived in the Dominican Republic for seven years as a teen, has never been quiet about her roots -- and she’s not starting now.
“It’s one of the biggest factors about me: the fire, the passion, the “in your face” quality. I’m not going to say, ‘Whatever you want, whatever you say.’ I’ll say, ‘You know what I think? I feel this.’,” the star told Cosmo for Latinas.
“[I’m] super identified [with my Latina heritage],” Saldana continued. “Spanish was my first language. Then you go to school, and within a month you're completely an English baby. So that's the battle you're always having: It's English out there and Spanish in the house. I don't say "mommy," I say "mami."”
Those are words that several outlets are reporting the actress will be hearing very soon, and according to E! News' sources she is expecting twins. Saldana, however, has yet to confirm or deny any reports about her pregnancy.
While star remains mum about being a mom, she did talk about what she and Italian artist Marco Perego planned to pass on to their children.
"Of course [our children] will speak the languages that we speak; my sisters and I grew up learning French and speaking English and Spanish, and because of that, we're able to understand Italian and Portuguese,” Saldana said. “But I'm going to have to make a conscious effort to speak Spanish to my children, because I speak Spanglish."
Saldana married Perego in a secret wedding in 2013. When asked about what makes a man sexy, the star was quick to stay away from any physical attributes.
"A man who has a natural respect for women [is sexy] — I don't want a man who worships me: Stay away from those,” the actress told Cosmo. “Worshipping doesn't count as really seeing me. I like men who work with women, are challenged by women, learn from women."
The actress, who doesn’t shy away from revealing details about her sexual experiences, also had some advice for women looking to improve their sex life.
"To be uninhibited,” Saldana said, referring to what’s essential in a good sex life. “I'm not talking about bringing in a third person or watching porn all night: That's what leads people to believe they are amazing in bed when they're the worst ever. Pornography is not sex education — it's the opposite! Don't allow insecurities to close you off. Be creative."
Take a look at Zoe Saldana on Cosmo For Latinas below and more on the interview with the star inside the issue, on newsstands August 12.
