Zoe Saldana believes that her classical dance background helped her forge her successful movie career.
The actress trained as a classical dancer for eleven years before landing a role in Centre Stage, a role she would not have got without her dance experience.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror the actress said: "I was a classical dancer for 11 years. I went to boarding school in the Caribbean even though I was born in New York.
"So when I came back to the US, I was graduating from high school and didn't want to dance any more. My mom gave me a year off, but I took two. Then I started auditioning, doing commercials and little plays.
"I was doing a play and a manager was watching the show and I got signed up. You go from Burger King commercials to a Coca-Cola campaign to Law And Order. Every New York actor does Law And Order.
"From there, I was booked for a movie called Centre Stage. If it had not been for my ballet background, that would have never have happened.
"That was the first vehicle that got me an agent and then, you know, Uhura in Star Trek. Now I'm here. I can't believe it myself sometimes!"
And Saldana's career has rocketed over the last twelve months as she has enjoyed huge success in blockbuster movies Star Trek and Avatar.
She returns to the big screen this week with her new comedy film Death At A Funeral, in which she stars alongside Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence and James Marsden.
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