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Tag: Nina Simone biopic

  • 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

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    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.