WebProNews

Tag: zoe saldana

  • 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: Queen Latifah Says Everyone Needs To “Get Rid Of The Hype”

    Nina Simone was an extremely influential musician, a woman who did things on her own terms for years after cutting ties with her husband Andrew Stroud, who was also her manager. The iconic singer was also a fierce civil rights activist, and all the things she experienced have kept fans intrigued for years. That’s why, when a biopic about her life was announced, many were behind it…until the lead role went to Zoe Saldana. Now, Saldana is facing backlash, and several fellow stars are coming to her defense.

    For some, Saldana was a controversial choice to play Simone because she had to darken her skin and wear prosthetics in order to more closely resemble the star, and after she took to Twitter recently to talk about Nina Simone, Simone’s estate replied pretty harshly.

    This week, Queen Latifah said in an interview that she doesn’t understand why Saldana couldn’t play Simone.

    “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,” Latifah said.

    Paula Patton also came to Zoe’s defense, saying people need to give her a chance before they judge the film.

    “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. 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.”

  • 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: How She Got Into Sexy Shape Following the Birth of Twins

    Zoe Saldana: How She Got Into Sexy Shape Following the Birth of Twins

    Zoe Saldana gave birth to twin sons Cy and Bowie 14 months ago, but to look at her today, one would never believe she’d been pregnant.

    The Guardians of the Galaxy star is quick to give credit where credit is due, however. She kept fans apprised via social media of the workouts she did at the hands of her personal trainer.

    “All it takes is determination! Mommies we can all do it, damn it!!!” Zoe Saldana said earlier this summer.

    Not every new mom has access to a personal trainer, though, and it sounds like that may have been key to Zoe Saldana’s amazing appearance.

    In Saldana’s case that celebrity trainer was Ramona Braganza. Beginning nine months after giving birth, the actress began working hard.

    “Our workouts were to not only get her looking strong but feeling fit again,” Braganza, who also works with celebrities including Jessica Alba and Halle Berry, said in a recent interview with People magazine.

    Zoe Saldana weighed 185 pounds at her highest pregnancy weight, so Braganza worked up a routine with plenty of cardio, which wasn’t easy as the actress hates the treadmill.

    “Zoë is not a big fan of the treadmill so for cardio, I focused on dance-based moves and boxing moves to get her heart rate up, kicks, leg lifts, plyometric combinations, and had her doing interval training if we did get on the cardio equipment,” the trainer says.

    “Building back her stamina was key, as was strengthening her core,” Braganza adds. “Our focus there was Pilates-based exercises including 100s [lying back with legs and shoulders off the ground, while pumping the arms up and down slightly for 100 reps], bicycles, leg lifts and exercises such as Spyder on the Bosu ball.”

    Zoe Saldana mixed up her workouts with outdoor exercise, including hikes. By December, she was able to fit back into her pre-pregnancy Guardians of the Galaxy jumpsuit.

    “Holy S—! You guys, I had to share this, this is one of the old #guardiansofthegalaxy costumes that I wore back in 2013,” she captioned her Instagram post. “After twins I can’t believe I was able to slip into this.”

    A photo posted by Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) on

    “It pays off to work hard! I mean it mommies of the world, if I did it you can too,” Zoe Saldana added at the end of her Instagram post.

    Do you think the average “mommies of the world” are a bit incited by this kind of encouragement? Without the money to pay a high-profile trainer–and probably a nanny, too–not everyone can work out the way Zoe Saldana did.

  • Zoe Saldana Stuns Social Media With Post-Pregnancy Bikini Bod Photos

    Actress Zoe Saldana is proud of her post-baby bikini body as she and her husband spent their vacation on a beach in Mexico.

    Saldana, who gave birth to twin boys last year, shared an Instagram snap of her and husband Marco Perego during their getaway. The actress, who was all smiles on camera, wore a cream-colored bikini while Perego took the selfie.

    In another photo, the Guardians of the Galaxy actress showed off her perfectly toned abs, as she leisurely walked along the beach. Perego and Saldana tied the knot in a secret ceremony in June 2013 and welcomed their twins – Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio – last year.

    Saldana described her pregnancy as “a very challenging experience” and told her fans that she had weighed 185 lbs in April. The Avatar actress said her body was “bent out of shape” after giving birth to her boys.  She admitted that she felt losing weight was an impossible task but she also knew how important it was for her to bounce back.

    “I am determined to get my energy back and find balance for my body before these little guys start walking, and before I go back to work, my clock is ticking!” Saldana said. Recently, the 37-year-old actress shared her fans how happy she was at being able to slip into her character Gamora’s suit, which she wore two years ago. “Holy S—! You guys, I had to share this, this is one of the old #guardiansofthegalaxy costumes that I wore back in 2013,” Saldana captioned her Instagram photo.

    “It pays off to work hard! I mean it mommies of the world, if I did it you can too,” she wrote encouraging other moms to work hard to get back into shape.

  • Zoe Saldana: Posts Pic Showing Off A One-Year-Out Post Twins Bikini Body

    Zoe Saldana and her husband, Marco Perego, recently spent a little time away in the sun. But, perhaps it was meant as a little celebration?

    As a new mom of twins born just over a year ago, Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio, Zoe Saldana experienced the same struggle that almost all new moms deal with: Getting that post-baby body back.

    Well, it looks like Zoe Saldana has arrived! The couple posted a pic to Instagram of Zoe in a bikini, and it doesn’t even look like she has ever had a baby, much less twins!

    Zoe Saldana has been open about her struggle to lose the weight and has shared her journey on Facebook to help encourage other women going through the same thing.

    Push! No matter what- push through. You are more than enough, always. NamasteNo te rindas! Eres y serás más que suficiente , siempre. Namaste

    Posted by Zoe Saldana on Tuesday, November 24, 2015

    Zoe Saldana also recently posted a pic of her slinking back into her Guardians of the Galaxy Gamora costume from 2013, which is super tight.

    Holy S—! You guys, I had to share this, this is one of the old #guardiansofthegalaxy costumes that I wore back in…

    Posted by Zoe Saldana on Thursday, December 10, 2015

    Man, does she look great!

    What do you think of Zoe Saldana’s incredible bounce back after babies?

  • Zoe Saldana Tells New Moms To ‘Catch Up On F—ing Reruns,’ Actress Gives Post-Pregnancy Advice

    Instead of sharing her everyday diet and exercise regimen to getting back to pre-baby body, actress Zoe Saldana revealed how sorry she feels for mothers who desperately wish to quickly recover their former physique after giving birth.

    “I’ve witnessed, throughout my years in this business, women who hide in a cave and don’t come out until they’re a size zero, and that is a very misleading message,” Saldana said.

    Saldana believed that women are pressured and getting mislead by women who regained their figures fast, giving them the message that they should do the same. “We’re too busy thinking about our appearances and not really thinking about our mental health first as well,” Saldana said. Saldana encouraged moms like her to take things easy and let their body go back to its normal figure and enjoy motherhood instead. “I feel bad for those women that get super desperate and want to bounce back three months after having a baby. Breastfeed. Stay home. Sleep. Your kid is only three months old! Like what are you going to the gym for? Catch up on f***ing reruns of some sort!” Saldana added. After giving birth to her twins, Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio, last January 2015, Saldana lost weight but confessed “everything” still hurts and “feels uncomfortable”.

    But even though Saldana has already gone back to work, she’s still taking a more relaxed approach to getting her body back.

    Saldana said, “I definitely took a break. And I trusted that my body was going to bounce back when it was ready. I never wanted to push myself. I’m the most beautiful woman to my husband, so he tells me or I will kill him, so I didn’t really have this anxiety to bounce back.”

    According to Saldana, the painful process she went through and the post-pregnancy were all worth it.

    “I was surrounded by way too many moms who are always like, ‘Oh my God, I got it so hard,’ ” Zoe Saldana explained to People.”[But] my sister was always like, ‘It’s a piece of cake. It’s super awesome.’ So I stuck to her, and it’s been fun.”

  • Zoe Saldana Shares Honest Truth About Being a New Mom to Twins

    Zoe Saldana says giving birth was only the beginning of physical pain that lingers months after the birth of her twins, Bowie and Cy, last November.

    The Avatar star, 37, told Us Weekly Thursday at a sneak peek event at the Wallis Dannenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California, that “everything” still hurts and “feels uncomfortable.”

    “It hurts to be in heels still! And I remember my sister telling me — she’s a mom of two girls — and she’d be like, ‘Zoe, you will understand when you’re there.’ I thought, ‘I’m going to live forever, heels every day, Louboutin, here we go!’ But there’s something that happens to your body hormonally, and it’s not just the weight that you acquire but your nerves, your muscles…Everything hurts and feels uncomfortable,” Saldana said.

    “You have to remind yourself that everything takes time. I feel bad for those women who are desperate and want to bounce back three months after having a baby,” Saldana, married to Marco Perego, continued. “It’s more like – ‘Breastfeed! Stay home! Sleep! Your kid is only 3 months old, what are you going to the gym for? Catch up on f—king reruns of some sort!’ I definitely took a break and trusted that my body was going to bounce back when it was ready. I never wanted to push myself.”

    According to the Los Angeles Times, the new mom, who decided to take her time getting back in shape after the birth of her children, took to social media to share her story with others.

    “I’ve witnessed, throughout my years in this business, women who hide in a cave and don’t come out until they’re a size zero, and that is a very misleading message,” Saldana said of her decision to open up to fans. “I wanted women to feel connected to me because I feel so connected to women. I felt like a tree and I felt my roots growing — all these women were reaching out and I felt their help and their guidance and their support. And I wanted to share that because especially now with the web, there are so many beautiful things that we can say…and people really responded to that and women especially felt seen and heard. Especially women with curves, and that’s all of us. It doesn’t matter how slim or how tall or whatever – I’ve got a booty! I got some thighs I’ve got to burn off all the time. I want[ed] to connect with women who are going through that every day.”

  • Zoe Saldana Posts Flat Abs Pic, Normal Moms Pile On [Pic]

    Zoe Saldana gave birth to twins eight months ago. She says it has been hard for her to bounce back and get into good shape. Saldana has called motherhood her favorite role. She has also shed light on the difficulties, even in Hollywood, of actresses getting childcare consideration for their kids when working on films.

    Saldana pointed out that studios “spend more money sometimes ‘perking’ up male superstars in a movie,” paying for private jets or booking “a really phat penthouse or them staying in a yacht instead of them staying on land.”

    “But then a woman comes in going, ‘OK, I have a child. You’re taking me away from my home. You’re taking my children away from their home. And you’re going to make me work a lot more hours than I usually would if I was home. Therefore, I would have to pay for this nanny for more hours — so I kind of need that. And they go, ‘Nope, we don’t pay for nannies.’ ”

    A couple of days ago, Zoe Saldana posted a picture of herself in the gym. Her abs were flat and toned. She captioned the photo:

    “Almost there! It’s been difficult but so rewarding. I feel strong. All it takes is determination! Mommies we can all do it, damn it!!!”

    Many of her followers responded to the picture with admiration and photos of their own. Saldana posted a comment, thanking all those women.

    “Beautiful ladies, thank you for your positive comments. You have no idea the joy and pride I feel when I read your comments saying you feel inspired and want to do it for yourself. Please continue to share, I was inspired by so many mommies around me to get back into shape because they shared their journey with me. We are stronger when we stick together- wishing each other good, cheering each other along. So please continue to share, I do read your comments and I do see the pictures you post of yourselves. I am sending you love and good vibes always! Love you Ladies!!!”

    But not everyone was happy. Some said that Saldana was not representative of most mommies.

    “Having a personal trainer, being able to do effective workouts daily, going to the gym, etc. is completely different than walking up and down the stairs or using cat liter as weights. You’re not going to get the same results. Not to mention, Zoe is a naturally thin woman.”

    “I like zoe but her body’s always been really thin. That’s not realistic for most women after we have kids. Our hips get wider and we get stretch marks etc. I’m not trying to make excuses but it costs Money to go to the gym, hire babysitters, go on a special diet and eat healthier foods.”

    “I got a serious f’n question because this crap annoys me. Let’s be honest. You’re a wealthy celebrity who has a gym membership, personal trainers and dietitians. How many moms out there have the time, money and resources that celebrities have at their disposal to lose the baby weight and keep it off. Let’s be realistic”

    “Rich mommy problems”

    “Yeah if we could afford the gym set up like u”

    There was some back and forth on the topic, so some of Zoe Saldana’s supporters started posting their own pictures in the comments as proof that even regular moms can do it.

    “To the haters that said Zoe could only lose her baby weight, because she is rich and can afford a personal trainer, gym and personal chef. I got back to my pre-baby weight after having two children and being 30 years old working out only at home. No trainer, no gym, and I cooked. It’s amazing what hard work and eating healthy can do. And I plan to do it again, since I just gave birth to baby #3 last month.”

    Almost there! It's been difficult but so rewarding. I feel strong. All it takes is determination! Mommies we can all do it, damn it!!!

    Posted by Zoe Saldana on Wednesday, July 29, 2015

  • Zoe Saldana’s Husband Takes Her Surname

    A mangina, according to the Urban Dictionary, is when a guy simulates the look of a vagina by hiding his private parts between his leg. For some people, a mangina is also a man who views women as superior, a male feminist if you will.

    One prime example of a mangina is Zoe Saldana’s husband, Marco Perego.

    The Guardians of the Galaxy badass admitted in a recent interview with In Style that her husband, Italian artist Marco Perego, took her surname after their marriage on his own volition.

    As a matter of fact, Saldana claims that she tried to talk him out of it.

    “If you use my name, you’re going to be emasculated by your community of artists, by your Latin community of men, by the world,” she warned her husband.

    But Mr. Saldana just told her that he doesn’t “give a s**t” and seems to be proud of it.

    Numerous women and some sectors will say that the artist is quite the progressive for taking his wife’s surname, but he undoubtedly has gotten (or will receive) a lot of backlash over this.

    After all, a man taking his wife’s surname is not really the norm and raises questions of his masculinity (or lack thereof).

    Some might even wonder if he’s riding on his wife’s popularity by taking her surname over his lesser known one.

    The surname issue is nothing new. Last year, Jemima Khan made headlines when she decided to revert back to her maiden name a decade after her divorce from cricketer Imran Khan. According to her, she used her ex-husband’s surname for her children but now that they’re all grown up, she decided she can go back to her old surname.

    Her decision raised eyebrows then, much in the same way that Saldana’s revelation has undoubtedly raised the eyebrows of both men and women.

    But wouldn’t it be better and easier for everyone, feminists included, if both parties just keep their respective surnames?

  • Zoe Saldana Svelte, Sexy Weeks After Babies Born

    Zoe Saldana is looking rather svelte and quite sexy just over ten weeks after giving birth to twins. The Book of Life star wore a knee-length black dress, featuring a polka-dot bodice to the 2015 VES Awards in Beverly Hills last week. She complemented her look with black patent leather pumps and bright red lipstick.

    Saldana and husband Marco Perego welcomed twin boys Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio into the world on Thanksgiving Day. This was her first public appearance since giving birth, and everyone was stunned at how amazing she looked.

    Zoe Saldana was a presenter at the VES Awards, presenting Star Trek director J.J. Abrams with a very special award. Zoe actually appeared in two of the Star Trek films–Star Trek in 2009 and Star Trek Into Darkness in 2013. She shared word of her presentation via Twitter.

    PerezHilton.com just announced that Zoe Saldana will also be a presenter at the 2015 Oscars later this month. She joins stars including Scarlett Johansson, Jack Black, Octavia Spencer, Josh Hutcherson, and more as presenters for the big event.

    Congratulations are definitely in order for Zoe Saldana–not only for presenting J.J. Abrams with his VES Award and being asked to present at the Oscars, but also for how incredible she looks just a little more than ten weeks since giving birth to her twins. She is no doubt the envy of new moms everywhere. They would no doubt love to look as trim as Zoe Saldana.

  • Anna Kendrick: ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ Star to Perform at the Oscars

    Anna Kendrick: ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ Star to Perform at the Oscars

    Anna Kendrick is set to perform at the Oscars on February 22nd, but it’s uncertain exactly what the Pitch Perfect 2 and Into the Woods star will do. The shows producers, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, have merely said that Kendrick will do “something special that is sure to be an ‘Only on the Oscars’ moment.”

    Kendrick sang a hit song from Pitch Perfect called ‘Cups’ that made it all the way to the number six spot on the Billboard Charts. It was featured on the Pitch Perfect soundtrack and marked the first time Anna Kendrick was considered both an actress and a pop music star. She joins a lineup of spectacular performances at the 87th Oscars that includes actor Jack Black, singer Rita Ora, and John Legend together with Common, who will perform ‘Glory’ from the movie Selma.

    Anna Kendrick tweeted word of her invitation to perform at the Oscars earlier on Monday.

    Scarlett Johansson, Octavia Spencer, Zoe Saldana and Josh Hutcherson were added to the roster of Oscar presenters on Monday. They will join perviously scheduled presenters including Benedict Cumberbatch, Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, and Marion Cotillard.

    Will you be tuning in to the Oscars to see Anna Kendrick and her “special performance” on February 22? Do you expect she might do an updated version of ‘Cups’ or perhaps even something from the upcoming Pitch Perfect 2? Or will she do something completely unexpected that will find fans even more enamored with this talented actress and singer?

  • Zoe Saldana and Husband Marco Perego Welcome Twin Boys, a ‘Dream Come True For Both of Them’

    Zoe Saldana and her husband, Marco Perego, are the proud parents of twin boys.

    According to a source for E! News, mother and baby boys are happy and healthy.

    “She had her twins,” a source told the website, adding that the new parents “are both so excited.”

    “They are surrounded by family and friends. All that matters now to Zoe and her husband is that the babies are healthy,” said the source.

    The Mirror was the first to break the news that the babies had arrived.

    “This a dream come true for both of them, they are absolutely delighted,” a source told the British tabloid. “They have been looking forward this day for the last nine months.”

    Designer Prabal Gurung Instagrammed his congratulations to his “muse” on Friday.

    According to E!, this is a dream come true for the Guardians of the Galaxy actress, who has said on numerous occasions that she wants a large family.

    “I’m Latin—we start young, honey!” Saldana admitted on Lifetime’s The Conversation With Amanda de Cadenet in April 2012.

    At the time, she said she might like to have “two or three” kids. “Or four or five! I don’t care,” she added. “They’re just so delicious. I love the anxiety, the pressure of the loud room full of yapping kids. But I’m a kid myself. I get along very well with animals and children. I dig them. I get them. They make perfect sense to me. A child makes perfect sense to me. A child speaks more sense than an adult half of the time.”

    Two newborns to care for is a lot for anyone, but Saldana is excited about juggling career and family and doesn’t seem to be concerned about the challenges she is sure to face with two little ones.

    “I know that we will work everything out,” Saldana told Entertainment Weekly in October. “I have to say, I’m very lucky. The great thing is that all the producers and creators involved in the projects that I’ve done — Avatar, Star Trek and Guardians of the Galaxy — they’re very good people. So, they’ve been very understanding, especially with what’s happening in my personal life. I’ve gotten nothing but support. To know that we are getting to that place where women can have that support from male driven workforces is—I have to say, it’s very inspiring.”

    She then thought about it pragmatically and added with a laugh, “They don’t have a choice! I’m not going to rip my child off my tit to go work. And if I do that, then maybe you shouldn’t hire me because I am willing to sell anything.

    “The good thing is that half of the people you work with are all parents, and they get it. They probably have strong wives at home that are probably going to look at them going, ‘Are you out of your mind?!’ See, it’s having strong women around you! Once we all come together, it’s perfect.”

  • Zoe Saldana Confirms She Is Expecting Twins

    Zoe Saldana has officially confirmed that she is expecting not one, but two babies with her husband Marco Perego!

    The couple did not make a big announcement for the news. However, Zoe revealed that she is expecting twins in a sweet way when asked what she would be dressing up as for Halloween by E! News.

    “I might,” Saldana responded when asked if she would be dressing up for the holiday. “I might need three costumes. I might have to make some adjustments, but it would be nice,” she said while tenderly rubbing her growing belly.

    Saldana has always been very open about her desire to have a family. “I’m Latin—we start young, honey!” Saldana said during an interview in 2012. “At 22 you’re like, ‘I just wanna hold something!’ You want a little critter.”

    The couple, who had a secret wedding in 2013, said they would like to have two or three kids or maybe more. “Or four or five! I don’t care. They’re just so delicious,” she said. “I love the anxiety, the pressure of the loud room full of yapping kids. But I’m a kid myself. I get along very well with animals and children. I dig them. I get them. They make perfect sense to me. A child speaks more sense than an adult half of the time.”

  • Here’s A ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Talk At Google

    This has been on YouTube for a couple weeks now, but in case you missed it, here’s an “At Google” talk with Guardians of the Galaxy stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Vin Diesel.

    If you’re a fan of the movie (and if you’ve seen it, you probably are), it’s worth checking out.

    The discussion was held at Google’s NY campus, and was hosted by Mark and Todd from Barely Political.

    Image via YouTube

  • Zoe Saldana Is Pregnant With Her First Child

    Exciting news! Zoe Saldana and her husband Marco Perego are expecting their first child!

    The Guardians of the Galaxy actress has been the center of baby rumors since making no attempt to hide her growing baby bump at the film’s premiere. However, it wasn’t until Wednesday, July 23 that Saldana’s publicist confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.

    The happy couple, who got married in England last summer, have not commented on the news, but sources have revealed that they can’t wait to be parents. “Zoe is about three months pregnant,” the source said. “But she will only announce the news when she’s ready.”

    “Zoe has always wanted a big family,” a second source said, “and Marco’s on board, too!”

    Recently, Saldana spoke to People Magazine about her marriage and her struggle to accept her image. “I hate the sensation that you have when you get home and you think, ‘I’m a coward. I didn’t speak up. I didn’t defend myself. I didn’t say no,’” she said. “I wanted to please others more than I wanted to please myself, and I [would] find myself embarrassed to look in the mirror.”

    Saldana explained that that all changed when she learned to embrace herself in her 30s. “I’m where I wanted to be when I would look at myself and say, ‘I just have a feeling that it’s going to get better, that I’m going to find who I truly am more and more, and I’m going to stick to that road,’ ” she said. “I’m very happy that it happened before I met him, because I didn’t want somebody to give me the answers that I should find for myself.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Zoë Saldana Talks Confidence and Marriage

    Zoë Saldana is stunningly beautiful on and off camera. There’s no denying it!

    However, the 36-year-old actress recently revealed she hasn’t always felt as confident as she appears now.

    On Saturday, July 19 the Dominican-Puerto Rican beauty stepped out to promote her latest film Guardians of the Galaxy. Saldana also opened up about some personal hang-ups she used to have.

    According to People magazine, Saldana revealed she had confidence issues and would often find herself making a gratuitous effort to please others, while neglecting herself.

    “I hate the sensation that you have when you get home and you think, ‘I’m a coward. I didn’t speak up. I didn’t defend myself. I didn’t say no,’” she explained. “I wanted to please others more than I wanted to please myself, and I [would] find myself embarrassed to look in the mirror.”

    However, the Avatar actress made it clear that things have definitely changed. “I promised myself, by my own will, that I’m not going to do it anymore.”

    Now, the actress is focused on her own happiness and her marriage to Marco Perego is a true sign of her contentment. “We found each other, and it was that desire and not that necessity that put us together,” she said.

    Saldana went on to share her perspective of personal growth. “I’m where I wanted to be when I would look at myself and say, ‘I just have a feeling that it’s going to get better, that I’m going to find who I truly am more and more, and I’m going to stick to that road,’” she said.

    “I’m very happy that it happened before I met him, because I didn’t want somebody to give me the answers that I should find for myself.”

    Fans can catch Zoë Saldana in Guardians of the Galaxy when the film hits theaters nationwide on August 1.

    Image via Zoë Saldana, Facebook