After making her name as an Avatar in the biggest ever box-office film, the actor helped turn the obscure superheroes of Guardians of the Galaxy into unexpected cult figures
By Francesca Babb
‘Lately, Atlanta. I have Marvel and Gamora, my character in Guardians of the Galaxy, to thank for that. The first time I went there for work, I stayed in this really progressive, granola-esque pioneering community outside the city called Serenbe. It’s secluded, we ate vegetables that came straight from the earth, had berry bushes outside our front door, and I was able to experience that rural lifestyle that my friends would always talk about and I had fought against. We thrived there. The second time we stayed in the heart of Atlanta. It has a very diverse vibe. So many companies have been established there now that it’s brought in a youthful population from all over the world. It’s such an incredible place.’