EXCLUSIVE: 'Avatar' star Zoe Saldana lands Avon deal

Zoe Saldana plays blue-skinned Neytiri in "Avatar," which has racked up more than $1 billion worldwide. Now her natural visage is being put to good use -- I've learned that Saldana will join cosmetics company Avon as a brand ambassador.

"She's thrilled," a source close to the deal tells me.

She's also in good company. Saldana will join other stars aligned with the brand, including Fergie, Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Dempsey, Courteney Cox-Arquette, Salma Hayek and Derek Jeter.

Reps for Saldana did not return requests for comment. An Avon rep was unavailable at press time.

With her success in the "Star Trek" update, 2009 was kind to Saldana, and she shows no signs of slowing this year: She's poised to release several major films, including director Neil LaBute's take on "Death at a Funeral"; the 2010 version costars Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence and James Marsden.

And that aforementioned tiny art house flick "Avatar"? Saldana's blue face in that flick won't be going away any time soon -- after four solid weeks at No. 1, it was confirmed as the second-highest-grossing film ever overseas and globally and the seventh-highest in U.S. history. 

Congrats, Zoe! 

-- Matt Donnelly

Photo: Zoe Saldana in December. Credit: Chris Carlson / Associated Press.

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

'Avatar' premiere: Behind the scenes with James Cameron, Laz Alonso and Matt Gerard

'Avatar' premiere: Hollywood's night on the blue carpet [photo gallery]

VIDEO: Beyonce sizzles, promoting her new fragrance, Heat

Zoe Saldana helps with Feeding America on Thanksgiving Day

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Comments

[Margarita]

Dear Mr. Donnely, I wish to thank you for your column on our dear Zoe Saldana. Being a Dominican myself, I feel very proud and honored when I read about our Zoe. She is a very talented actress and a very nice human being, and above all, a humble person who up to now has not allowed fame to change her. Thanks again. margarita

[precious-womens-perfumes.com]

Awesome, she's very pretty!