Zoe Saldana: 'Hollywood is full of racism'

Zoe Saldana has claimed that she still struggles with racism and discrimination in Hollywood.

The Avatar actress reiterated her belief that "ignorant" Tinseltown casting agents continue to show predjudice against her due to the colour of her skin, recalling one incident where she was snubbed for not being a "traditional American".

"I've witnessed racism all my life," she told The Mail On Sunday. "And of course there's racism and discrimination in Hollywood. You go for a part and they say, 'Oh, we really liked her, she's amazing, but we wanted to go with something more traditional'. As if I'm not a traditional American!

"I feel sorry for people like that. They need to educate themselves. Mostly you move on and say, 'Well, I wasn't meant to work with you or be around someone like you'. Other times you might say, 'You're ignorant, you're a racist. That's it. I'm out of here!'"

Saldana also expressed discomfort with the level of 'hatred' directed at the US on the global stage.

"It's trendy to hate Americans right now," she argued. "Deep down, some people are enjoying the fact that the most powerful nation on Earth is struggling a little - and then they deny that's racist! And that frightens me."