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  • Zoe Saldana: Queen Latifah And Paula Patton Defend Her Role In “Nina”

    Zoe Saldana has been the center of controversy since she was cast as Nina Simone in the upcoming biopic, Nina.

    Critics of the choice say there were several other actresses that would have been better because Zoe Saldana is light-skinned and has a narrower nose than Nina Simone did.

    For the film, Zoe Saldana did have to wear skin-darkening makeup and a prosthetic nose.

    However, as evidenced from the trailer, Zoe Saldana clearly brings everything to the part and put her heart into portraying the legendary singer and activist.

    There are a couple of African-American actresses who are standing up for Zoe Saldana and they are calling for an end to the harsh judgement.

    Queen Latifah said recently, “I think Zoe Saldana is a great actress, so I am looking forward to it. She is of African descent. I don’t see why she shouldn’t play the role. I just want to see it. Get rid of the hype and let’s go watch a movie.”

    Paula Patton took it a step further and expressed concern for Zoe Saldana in the midst of the backlash.

    She said of Zoe Saldana, “I’m not into negativity like that. It’s a horrible thing to put on somebody…Imagine being in her shoes and enduring that. It’s not cool, and it’s not right.”

    She continued, “Clearly, someone thought she was perfect for it — she’s an amazing actress, she’s beautiful — and you haven’t even given her a chance and you haven’t seen it yet.”

    She added, “I think we have to be in a place where we celebrate each other and are kind to one another, and say, ‘There’s alternate versions of a story,’ Give her a shot, try to enjoy it and stop judging.”

    Zoe Saldana is truly a talented actress and seems to give everything she’s got to honor the late Nina Simone.

    What side do you fall on in the controversy surrounding Zoe Saldana?

  • Nina Simone Biopic: Two Sides Of Controversy

    Nina Simone was a singer and civil rights activist who penned songs about racism and black cultural strife in the late 50’s thru the early 70’s.

    A new biopic about Nina Simone, Nina, is set to come out next month, but it has caused some serious controversy along the way.

    The problem at hand is that Nina Simone is played by the talented Zoe Saldana. Critics say, well, she just isn’t black enough.

    Saldana, in order to look more like the legendary Nina Simone, dons skin-darkening makeup and a nose-widening prosthetic.

    Nina Simone’s daughter, an accomplished Broadway actress who goes by Simone, said she likes Zoe Saldana, but she’s just not right for the part.

    She said, “I love Zoe Saldana’s work. I’ve seen some of her movies more than once and really enjoy what she brings to the screen. As an actress I respect her process, but I also know that there are many actresses out there, known or not, who would be great as my mother.”

    Simone even had some suggestions for actresses to play Nina Simone.

    She said, “The one actress that I’ve had in my heart for a very long time, whose work I’m familiar with already, is Kimberly Elise. Many people have spoken to me about Viola [Davis]. I love her look. I love her energy. Both of the actresses that I’ve mentioned are women of color, are women with beautiful, luscious lips and wide noses, and who know their craft.”

    And the Estate and Legacy of Nina Simone was much more harsh when Zoe Saldana posted a Nina Simone quote to Twitter.

    However, those in charge of the biopic and some African-American actors in Hollywood are saying everyone should give Saldana a chance.

    Robert Johnson, founder and chairman of the studio releasing Nina said that Zoe Saldana’s portrayal of Nina Simone is “an exceptional and mesmerizing tribute.”

    He added, “She gave her heart and soul to the role and displayed her extraordinary talent. The most important thing is that creativity or quality of performance should never be judged on the basis of color, or ethnicity, or physical likeness.”

    Quenn Latifah argued that Saldana is a great actress who makes great movies, and, basically, get over it.

    She said, “I think Zoe Saldana is a great actress, so I am looking forward to it. She is of African descent. I don’t see why she shouldn’t play the role. I just want to see it. Get rid of the hype and let’s go watch a movie.”

    Paula Patton shared Latifah’s sentiments and expressed sorrow for Saldana.

    She said, “I’m not into negativity like that. It’s a horrible thing to put on somebody…. Imagine being in her shoes and enduring that. It’s not cool, and it’s not right.”

    #internationalwomensday #ninasimone

    A photo posted by Jazz Today (@jazz.today) on

    She continued, “Clearly, someone thought she was perfect for it — she’s an amazing actress, she’s beautiful — and you haven’t even given her a chance and you haven’t seen it yet.”

    She added, “I think we have to be in a place where we celebrate each other and are kind to one another, and say, ‘There’s alternate versions of a story.’ Give her a shot, try to enjoy it and stop judging.”

    Where do you stand on the controversy surrounding Nina Simone’s biography?

  • Nina Simone Biopic: Late Singer’s Daughter, Lisa Simone Kelly, Stands Up for Zoe Saldana

    A Nina Simone biopic, titled Nina, is set to hit theaters next month. Ever since accepting the lead role in the film, Zoe Saldana has come under fire, with many–some of them the late Simone’s relatives–saying her light skin and Latina features aren’t right for the role.

    Now another of Nina Simone’s relatives is speaking out–this time supporting Zoe Saldana. Lisa Simone Kelly feels terrible that Zoe Saldana is getting bashed for playing the role of her late mother.

    “It’s unfortunate that Zoe Saldana is being attacked so viciously when she is someone who is part of a larger picture,” Lisa Simone Kelly says in an interview with Time magazine.

    “It’s clear she brought her best to this project, but unfortunately she’s being attacked when she’s not responsible for any of the writing or the lies,” she adds.

    Zoe Saldana’s skin was darkened and she wears a prosthetic nose for her role as Nina Simone. Many have compared these alterations to the “blackface” that mimicked African-Americans. Lisa Simone Kelly maintains there are significant discrepancies in the script as well.

    Zoe Saldana has hit back at some of her naysayers. In one Twitter post she quotes Nina Simone herself.

    Just because Lisa Simone Kelly is standing up for Zoe Saldana, that doesn’t mean she is in favor of the way the movie was made. She blames director Cynthia Mort, however, instead.

    “The project has been tainted from the very beginning,” she tells Time. “Clearly, it is not the truth about my mother’s life, and everyone now knows that. This is not how you want your loved ones remembered.”

    Nina Simone’s family was never consulted for any aspect of the film.

    Nina opens in theaters nationwide on April 22.

  • Zoe Saldana “Nina” Controversy: India.Arie Weighs In

    Zoe Saldana has come under significant fire for her role as Nina Simone in the upcoming biopic, Nina.

    Now “Video” singer India.Arie is adding fuel to that fire. In a recent interview with Billboard, Arie said she was sad to see Zoe Saldana in this role.

    “I think the best way to say it is that they casted her against type and went too far to make her fit,” she said. “It’s not my place to say how Zoe Saldana perceives herself, and I can’t say how anybody else perceives her either.”

    India.Arie also bashed Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone on the late singer’s official website, saying, “it looks like a person in Black(er) face with a fake nose.”

    “[The Nina portrayal] is a caricature,” Arie added. “You had to put a whole other face on someone’s face.”

    The distribution company for the upcoming film said via a statement to People magazine, “The most important thing is that creativity or quality of performance should never be judged on the basis of color, or ethnicity, or physical likeness.”

    Zoe Saldana has been defending herself in her role as Nina Simone since first being cast in 2013.

    “I don’t care who tells me that I am not this and I am not that. I know who I am and I know what Nina Simone means to me. So that is my truth and that set me free,” she said at the time.

    India.Arie goes on to say she doesn’t think Zoe Saldana did anything wrong in taking this role.

    “I don’t know her and I don’t think she did anything wrong,” adding, “I think they cast Zoe Saldana because they wanted a big name, but that makes me ask, ‘Is the name Nina Simone not big enough to get people to come to the movie?’”

    Do you agree with India.Arie on the reason Zoe Saldana was cast in the role of Nina Simone? Did producers feel Nina’s name and talent alone weren’t enough to draw the masses to movie theaters?

    How do you suppose Nina, starring Zoe Saldana in the lead role will fare in theaters?

    Nina hits theaters on April 22.

  • Zoe Saldana Not Upset by Outrage Over Her Role as Nina Simone

    Zoe Saldana came under fire in recent days for playing the role of Nina Simone in the upcoming biopic Nina. The late musician and activist’s family is put off by Zoe Saldana wearing both a prosthetic nose and blackface while portraying the late singer.

    Zoe Saldana, however, isn’t bothered by their outrage. She even quoted Nina Simone in saying so.

    An official Twitter account for the late Nina Simone fired back at Zoe Saldana’s tweet.

    Zoe Saldana first drew criticism from Nina Simone’s family back in 2012, when she was cast in the role. They felt strongly that the role should be played by a dark-skinned actress. Saldana is of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent.

    Saldana herself once questioned if she should portray Nina Simone.

    “I didn’t think I was right for the part, and I know a lot people will agree, but then again, I don’t think Elizabeth Taylor was right for Cleopatra either,” she said during a June 2015 interview with InStyle.

    In 2013, Nina Simone’s daughter, Simone Kelly, said this about her late mother–and about the choice of Zoe Saldana playing the role.

    “My mother was raised at a time when she was told her nose was too wide, her skin was too dark,” Kelly told the New York Times. “Appearance-wise this is not the best choice.”

    Despite their upset, Zoe Saldana will appear on the big screen in the role of Nina Simone. Nina premieres on April 22.

    Will you be checking it out?

  • Zoe Saldana Under Fire for Playing Nina Simone in Upcoming Film

    Zoe Saldana is under harsh fire for playing the part of Nina Simone in an upcoming film about the musician and activist. Simone’s family doesn’t like that Zoe Saldana wears a prosthetic nose and blackface while playing the role.

    Saldana took to Twitter on Wednesday in light of the criticism she is receiving. She quoted Nina Simone.

    An official Twitter account for the late Nina Simone fired back at Zoe Saldana’s tweet.

    A few hours later the account shared another tweet.

    Zoe Saldana first drew criticism from Simone’s family in 2012, when she was cast in the role. Many believed the role should be played by a dark-skinned actress. Saldana is of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent.

    Saldana herself once questioned if she should portray Nina Simone.

    “I didn’t think I was right for the part, and I know a lot people will agree, but then again, I don’t think Elizabeth Taylor was right for Cleopatra either,” she said during a June 2015 interview with InStyle.

    In 2013, Nina Simone’s daughter, Simone Kelly, said this about her late mother–and about the choice of Zoe Saldana to portray her.

    “My mother was raised at a time when she was told her nose was too wide, her skin was too dark,” Kelly told the New York Times. “Appearance-wise this is not the best choice.”

    What’s your take on Zoe Saldana playing Nina Simone? Should another Hollywood A-lister have been cast in the role instead?

    Nina, starring Zoe Saldana, opens in theaters on April 22.

  • Zoe Saldana To Play Nina Simone, Fans Outraged

    Legendary songstress Nina Simone often sang about the heartache that comes with looking different, with having only a shallow pool of self esteem to draw from, and with living for years with a complex about one’s appearance. She often spoke about Hollywood’s desire to keep dark-skinned women under its thumb. That’s why the news of a certain fair-skinned actress being cast to play Simone in a film about her life has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.

    Zoe Saldana, who starred in “Avatar”, has been tapped for the role despite the fact that she looks nothing like the icon, and fans are so upset that a petition has been started to get director Cynthia Mort to consider another actress for the part. It’s not a slight on Saldana, they say; rather, they want Hollywood to start making more informed choices when casting roles. Because so much of Simone’s identity and music was tied up in the way she looked and the way she was perceived during her career, it makes sense to cast someone who has a similar aesthetic. For now, the plan is to give Saldana dark makeup and prosthetics to alter her appearance, but that in itself is offensive to many, according to Lanita Jacobs, anthropology professor at USC.

    “We understand that there are these beauty issues,” she says, “and sometimes what sanctions people’s right to speak on these kind of issues is whether they have had experiences born of what it means to have kinky hair, or to have wide noses or darker skin. Nina’s music taps into a certain kind of awareness born of the way she looks.”

    “Nina” is currently filming and is due out next year.

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    Zoe Saldana

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    Nina Simone