Shortly after it was announced who would play the late jazz singer Nina Simone, images surfaced of actress Zoe Saldana on set of the upcoming biopic, Nina, covered in make-up to help bring the main character to life. Sadly many onlookers were in an uproar about the director’s decision to have an Afro-latina woman (who looks nothing like Nina) take on the role of the legendary singer.
Unfortunately, Zoe has taken in much of the criticism while trying her best to play one of her favorite musicians in the best light. The 34 year-old Avatar actress recently shared how she has managed to stay focused while filming the movie, despite the negative opinions:
The reality is that what keeps me focused and what kept me from I guess getting stressed or being hurt by the comments is that, I’m doing it for my sisters. I’m doing it for my brothers and 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. That is my truth and that is what sets me free.
Saldana added that when the film is finally presented to the world, she’s going to take everyone’s positive or negative reaction with her chin up because that’s who she is and will always be. She ends it by saying: “I did it all out of love. Out of love for Nina. Out of love for my people and who I am. My pride for being a Black woman, a Latino woman and American. And that’s my truth.”
Preach. We must say that Zoe is one brave woman for taking on the role despite the obvious physical differences between herself and Nina Simone. Check out EBONY magazine’s interesting take on why Zaldana was the wrong choice for Nina Simone.
You do not have to look like a person to give a performance of that person. Zoe hopefully will nail it but she does have rather large shoes to fill. Nina Simone was a very complicated woman and her music remains the music of the civil rights struggle. My parents raised me on her music and even as a younger kid I was moved by her expressions and dramatic singing and strength. My only concern is Zoe`s acting chops. But if Zoe has the strength to take on this role that says a lot about her. I`m looking forward to seeing it.
I don’t think Zoe herself is the problem. I know she is an amazing actress, but people feel hurt and annoyed by the director’s choices. Understanding that the African American community has a history with skin tone, it can seem that this is an offense.
I think it was a bad choice to cast her for the role. I like Zoe and I could see her doing many other biopics, maybe even Whitney, but not this one. For this movie the woman should be afrocentric not afrolatina because it is a biopic on Nina Simone. Anything less than afrocentric is a slight against Nina.
Nina was more than her singing. Her singing was an expression of the pain she went through because of her struggles being a Black Dark Black, Blueberry black woman with nappy hair , big nose, big lips. Her whole career was about using songs and the piano to demonstrate that pain. She wasn’t just a regular pop singer like Lena Horne, this woman was a struggle a movement. How dare anyone take her life, and trivilize it?
Well said.
Well said Bohwe.
Very well said Bohwe!
Honestly, I like Zoe, but not my cup of tea for this type of role. She almost looks deformed with how they had to make her up. Yes it would’ve been much easier to get a darker actress or singer with similar features. Why even go through all of this? I think Essence mags comments care on point. Just my opinion.
There are many people who wear makeup to transform for roles and it works it has nothing to do with the things you mentioned. Why do people like you bring up skin complexion all the time? Bottom line Zoe is a bankable young actress who has been in some of the highest grossing movies in the last few years. Essence magazine does not dictate a thing in terms of box office or Hollywood success. People who complain before they even see her performance have nothing valid to say. Typical angry comment.
Why do I bring up skin complexion? Because that’s what it’s all about as if you didn’t know. Please stop acting clueless and melodramatic. Second, she’s not that great of an actress. Just because she’s played in box office hits doesn’t mean she’s awesome. You already know who determine’s what a good actor or actress is and it’s always white people and they are not the majority of the population and they are extremely off when it comes to judgement. Furthermore, she looks dumb as hell and it’s actually a slap in Nina Simone’s face. Getting her to play this role is like using a tan latina to play Marilyn Monroe. Also, her stupid comment about doing it for the sisters, STHU, because she acts white, talks white and dates white men. Good day.
“Also, her stupid comment about doing it for the sisters, STHU, because she acts white, talks white and dates white men.” – wow …
“RED” you made me laugh and HARD with your comments. This is not about SKIN COLOR…you are being melodramatic not me. Why don’t we see what she can do before we TEAR HER DOWN? Can you do that? And Hollywood is run by white people who happen to be jewish…we all know that. But don’t you think it’s a “progressive thing” that Zoe (who is a woman of color) has been picked to be in some of these films? Would you rather no people of color get those opportunities? I’m not going to judge her like you seem more than happy to do based on some makeup shots taken by street photographers and I love Nina Simone’s image and music. It’s one movie not the only one that will be made bout Nina. Also, let’s be real…..If Viola Davis got this role I highly DOUBT your self righteous self would even pay the money to go see her. Blacks rarely pay money to see independent movies (FACT). If we were to take a poll about how many Blacks in here saw Beasts of the Southern Wild vs the latest Tyler Perry movie this conversation would be over. Zoe brining up her sisters is simply saying she is doing this role for people who love and support her unconditionally…. Looking at some of the comments in this room it’s great to know she at least has that support.
I totally agree with Richard Overstreet. Sometimes I feel that African Americans are totally confused about things.
Black people in Latin America come from a different culture than black americans. She is Afro Latino. TAlk Done!!!
Viola Davis would have fit role probably, but she obviously was not the choice for directors or producers.
At the end of the day, Nina is being portrayed by a woman of African descent…doesn’t matter what part of the globe or culture she came from
I am not African American…but I am of African Trinidadian descent…we should be proud and supportive that a black woman is playing the role. We should hope that she will do a great job and go out there and support her by watching the movie and stop putting each other down.
Not because you guys are confused by what she may be, does not mean that she does not know who she is and where she came from.
Thank you all and have a great day!
From the time you said “TALK DONE!” LMAO i knew you were a fellow Trinidadian. We cah hide haha. But yes you’re absolutely right.
yuh done know!!!!….we trinis keep it real all day…lol!!1
To Richard, Nina Simone legacy is more than an actress using make up to change into her , for a movie part. This isn’t like Charlize Theron who became unglamous for a part, and then she received an Oscar. Nina legacy is more than that, and obviously you don’t know anything about Nina, because a true fan, wouldn’t dare make that statement.
@ Bohwe I agree 100% but don’t you think we should see the performance before we make all these judgments about Zoe? And do me a favor and don’t make these snap judgments about things you know nothing about. I told you I was raised on Nina’s music and I know a great deal about her personal life and struggle. I’m willing to see what ZOE can do. But if you read my comments you would know that I did express concern about Zoe’s acting range….I did not waste time with who Zoe dated…Truth be told Nina Simone also dated and married white males. Just an FYI.
@ Bohwe I agree 100% but don’t you think we should see the performance before we make all these judgments about Zoe? And do me a favor and don’t make these snap judgments about things you know nothing about. I told you I was raised on Nina’s music and I know a great deal about her personal life and struggle. I’m willing to see what ZOE can do. But if you read my comments you would know that I did express concern about Zoe’s acting range….I did not waste time with who Zoe dated…Truth be told Nina Simone also dated and married white males. Just an FYI.
She’s doing it for “her sisters” lol? I guess the sisters named Franklin, Lincoln, Jefferson, MasterCard, and American Express. This chic is funny. She needs to do a sequel to “Something New” called “Something Through” with Kerry Washington and Sanaa Lathan lol.
No I will not be seeing this movie. Zoe knows she has NO BUSINESS playing Nina Simone. It’s Sweet Thing dressing up and playing Peaches.
The key term is “Afro” latina she is a black latin woman just like there are Afro-American women, we all stem from Africa and that is what matters. She did not need to darken her skin she is already dark enough she looks like your average black women, which she is, with latin roots.
I honestly think Lauryn Hill woulda killed this role. I haven’t seen her act in a minute but I think she still got it in her
I think it is amazing that this movie is even being MADE. So let’s rejoice about that.
Zoe Saldana is a successful actress in Hollywood (LOVED Star Trek, I’m a nerd…) who has on numerous occasions stated that she is proud to be black, proud to be Latina and proud to be American. Let’s rejoice about that.
I agree that Nina Simone’s body of work draws largely on racial tensions which have eased somewhat today (but not totally!). I agree that because of her point of view, she probably would have wanted someone who looked like her to play her.
From a BUSINESS point of view, this film needs to make money and appeal to Nina Simone fans all around the globe. I live in London and she’s HUGE here and in France! People mention her name before Billie Holiday, before Ella Fitzgerald. So, to make this film a success, we need a black A-list actress who is recognisable around the WORLD. This means blockbusters, like Avatar. And, that actress right now is Zoe Saldana.
It just makes sense – she’s a good actress, and she’s bankable. She’s proud to be black and is talented.
It is an uneasy compromise yes, but again it is a step forward and if the film does well, it will open doors for SO many other black actresses down the line. Of ALL complexions.
I think the true tragedy here is that we don’t have more A-List actresses in Hollywood who look like Nina Simone. But if we support this film and it does well, we might GET more!
LOLA RE
Lauryn would have been better for this role. And i honestly dont believe that Nina Simone would have approved of this role going to Zoe. Plus Zoe is not that good of an actress just another paula patton.
How do you know what Nina would have wanted. Did she tell you this???…You guys are killing me. Everyone keeps saying Lauryn Hill would have done better. Maybe she could have if she would get her life together and have cared to go audition for the role or been asked to do it.
Everything happens for a reason and Zoe got to do it and she will be great.
And she is not a paula patton. I’m not sure how you put that together either.
There is a nina simone message board, in which a fan posted an interview before she died in 2002, where she states that she met Lauryn Hill and loved her, and wouldn’t mind her playing her in a movie, she also talked about wanting Whoopi Goldberg to play her as well. She talked about how she was married to a white man first, but he was crazy. She talked candidly, about how she loved Michael Jackson. She said, I loved that boy. And how she went to him, and told him, as young man not to let people change him, and she blamed his family for how he turned out. She talked about how she didn’t like Quincy Jones, because she felt he was the reason MJ changed. Please don’t say, that I don’t know what I’m talking about, because unlike many people discussing Nina Simone, I actually read her interviews, her daughter interviews , seen her website, the Simone estate twitter, facebook, I’ve seen youtube videos of Nina. I definitely know about Nina. I’m not some militant black person putting words and making up my own intrepretation of Nina to fit an agenda. Everything, I’ve said, is based on facts from what Aaron Overfield the Nina Simon site facilitator who has permission from Simone, Nina’s daugther, to reading Simone’s own words. Trust me, my passion for keeping Nina Simone’s legacy intact is real. This out of love for Nina Simone’s legacy. I come with facts, while others come with opinions. How would you feel if someone portrayed your mother or father, and you didn’t have a say , you were completly shut out of the progress, and knowing your mother was militant, how would you feel if your mom legacy was destroyed? Personally, I would be at every award show,rushing the stage, voicing my hatred towards Hollywood.But that’s me.
That is great and lovely that you read her message boards…and yes, as you have shown she stated that she “wouldn’t mind” lauryn hill playing her…she didn’t say that she did not want Zoe playing her, did she now
I’m just not getting why this is such a big deal…Black people are always finding something to argue and put each other down about…if it was Salma Hayek or Kim Kardashian cast in the role, then there should be an uproar…but this is a woman that is black, afro..whatever…and she is going to do a good job…support her!!!
This is from an Lauryn Hill messageboard:
“Nina said, It’s no suprise that MJ , the man I adore most in this world, have disappeared from the U.S. I distinctly remember meeting MJ on a plane years ago, when he was little, and I said to him, “Don’t let them change you , Your’e black and you’re beautiful”. But of course he was influenced by his family and everybody else. And I don’t mind if you say this, I think the person who’s responsible for Michael’s tragedy is Quincy Jones. You can quote me. It Quincy Jones who married a girl from Sweden[Olah].And with Quincy with all them white women, poor little MJ didn’t know what to do. MJ needed somebody emulate, and I think he did everything that Quincy Jones told him to do. That is what I believe.Does Quincy Jones know how you feel? No, I don’t think he knows. On Interracial marriage: I donot believe in mixing of the races. You can quote me. I don’t believe in it and I never have. I’ve never changed. I never changed my hair. I’ve never changed my color i have always been proud of myself, and my fans are proud of me for remaining the way I’ve always been. I married a white man once, but he was a creep. Have you heard any of these women who have made it ok to be angry in pop music? No, i’ve heard one girl singing, “You Al Capone,I’m Nina Simone”. Your’e paraphrasing L. Hill from the Fugees. Did you like that she used your name. Yes, I just wish she had sung one of my songs.
I will come back and write the website and email address. This is only to prove that I’m not speaking from my personal opinion but just repeating what Nina Simone said herself. I feel no matter what color , race, gender, ethnicity, the artists should be portrayed the way the want or wanted to be portrayed. And it’s like artistic tragedy when you take it upon yourself to change their reality to fit your own.
Nina married a white man? These black extremists never fail to amaze me. If that’s the case then Zoe is perfect for the role.
Why don’t people actually read and listen to Nina Simone’s interviews, articles, listen to her brother and her dauther response to this movie. Don’t sit here and say oh wait and see what the performance is about, not when Zoe is in blackface, with a prosthetic nose, and a afro wig. This is the problem with the young generation, you guys are so far removed from anything authetically afrocentric, that you think anything is a compliment. Zoe is black, I understand that, but Nina whole essence was being told that she wasn’t beautiful because of her darkskin, her wide nose, big lips, nappy hair, wide hips. Now people want to see Nina has being glamorized. Even Halle Berry an Oscar winner had enough respect for Nina Simone. not to put herself in the running for this part. And out of Nina’s mouth, she said she wanted Whoopi Goldberg, or Lauryn Hill to play her. Anybody that can’t see how Nina’s legacy has been forever destroyed, has no sense of the true essence of Nina, and probably just like the fact that Zoe is a popular actress. Nina memory and struggle was all for nothing. But of course you young people don’t get why there is anger, because you guys are the same group that buy songs by black artists calling you black women and girls, nappy headed hoes, so any woman that can separate you from african features while still being black, you embrace. no wonder black girls love nicki minaj with her blond wigs and contacts. Even Kerry Washington would be the wrong choice for this film. Sadly , Mariah Carey isn’t in the lead as Nina Simone, I’m pretty sure, you guys would have a defense for that.
If Nina, Martin, Malcom or Rosa was alive today they would probably go crazy at the idea that we think that something as far as skin tone of our fellow black community is even an issue…. this is crazy to me.
R Love – I’m sorry to say this to you, but have you read anything or seen, heard anything by Malcom X, or Nina Simone. They were extremist when it came to blackness, and they would have a problem with Nina Simone being portrayed by a woman that is lighter and features,hair does not match her trueself. Before being kumba ya about things, please study their realities on certain issues. Malcom X was the same man in his book, that said, he wished the white man’s blood that was in his veins, weren’t there. This is the same man that talked about how his father wouldn’t whoop him because he was lighter than his brothers and sisters, but his mom did. Betty Shabbaz his wife was a dakskinn black woman with black negroid features. Obviously, you don’t know the real militant side to Malcom X, or read anything or seen or heard anything by Nina Simone, because if you did, you would know that Nina Simone was a militant black woman, who hated white-washing of black people. She was an extremist, please do actual research on these two people. To say that that they wouldn’t have an issue with zoe is an insult. Please check your facts, if Nina Simone dauther Simone who is Zoe’s complexion with fine features is against the movie, and speaking for her mother, because she knew her mother, don’t you think it’s not colorism, but stating facts. I think both Nina and Malcom would be insulted by your statement. And they would definitely read Zoe , Cynthia Mort and all those in support of the film the riot act. And you really can’t put Malcom and Martin in the same league, because Malcom was solely for black nationalism, while Martin was for unification between blacks and non blacks. Please google Nina Simone interviews, she is direct in her feelings, please read her response about what she felt happened to Michael Jackson, and then think again about if you can truly say that she wouldn’t have a problem with Zoe playing her.
Malcolm X was an extremist when it came to “blackness” yet he several affairs with white women and white men. Zoe Saldana can play Nina if she wanted to, and there isn’t a darn thing you or anybody else can do about it…except get mad.
Malcom X was with white women before he became the 2nd in command of the nation of Islam. And there is no solid proof that he was gay, and that is slandering his memory. If he was a diehard muslim, he was anti-gay.
And as far as Nina is concerned, she would have been on television being arrested for strangling Zoe, Cynthia and all those involved. Trust, Nina Simone wasn’t Hollywood. Most importantly, why would anyone want to portray a character that the family, friends, estate and community is totally against, where’s the respect? It’s about having enough integrity as a person, to step away for that alone. That’s the problem with these celebrities, there’s no respect.
Malcolm X was extremist…are you okay??…he loved white women before things went bad and he decided to all of a sudden love the black community
who cares???…at the end of the day…Zoe got the part people…move on!!!
There are so many people who we can name who would have been better for this on our opinions. I believe the fact that they’ve had to make her so many shades darker says enough about the casting. It’s a touchy situatuion because she should not be neglected due to the fact that she is only partially black. However, they did not get someone darkskinned to play “dorothy dandridge” or “etta james” I personally think Whoopi Goldberg or as others has said, Lauryn hill would have been great. Even Nia Long. The hardest thing is that we know that in times, even now darkskin is looked down upon and when you have a lightskin person playing that role, it’s automatically going to start something; fully black or not.
Nia Long couldn’t play Nina Simone, because their features are totally different. This issue isn’t only affecting black american people, but all of nina simone fans , no matter race is against this film. But, like I said before this young generation has no respect for the older generation. Younger generation is so detached from black oppression, that you really believe an insult is a form of acceptance and a sense of belonging. Hollywood continues to give us Gone With The Wind garbage, and black folks accept it.
At the end of the day you have a choice to watch the movie or not. Actors and Actresses have had to change their appearance for roles, she got the part for a reason. I think it is quite sad that there are so many negative comments. Skin color…she is not dark enough…she can’t relate…she’s too white….smh. Were these other people such as Lauren Hill interested in the role or even available??? I have not heard recently where a family has been 100% ok with a bio pic…Jimi Hendrix fam is not okay with the bio pic that was/in production with Andre 3000 (and he looks like him). There can always be another bio pic made…maybe Essence and all the people who are not in agreement should put up the money and make a bio pic to their physical standards.
Very intelligent response! @ MZ
I think Kimberly Elise would have been a good choice, but did she auditon, we’ll never know. Lauryn Hill except for her hair texture and complexion looks nothing like Nina Simone, if you wanna dissect it, she nose is too straight and her features too refined. There will be an issue with anyone playing Nina because only Nina truly looks like Nina.
I totally agree with Bahamas/Chicago/Cayman Girl
No offfense but you must be young, this is deeper than you have any idea. Please do research on Nina Simone. It says alot when white people are against this film being made. You really have to research Nina Simone, her family, her legacy. This isn’t attacking Zoe, it’s about standing up for social injustice. If you can’t see the pain the Nina Simone family feel, than I think you should read Nina’s interviews, and listen to her songs. Really listen. Just like you feel that Zoe is being tormented, what do you think Nina Simone’s family, i..e her daugther Simone and her brother is going through? Understand their pain. This isn’t about Zoe, it’s about Nina, and what she would have wanted. There wouldn’t be an attack on Zoe, if she would have respected the feelings of Nina’s family. Now, that’s the issue. How would you feel if someone took your mom’s legacy, and made her out into a caricature? But, Nina’s family shnouldn’t be upset, even though they have no say, and was never on board on the film, and will not be receiving anything monetary from this project. And when Simone talked to Cynthia Mort, it was like Simone was a non factor. Simone is stronger than me, because I don’t think I would have sued Zoe, Cynthia Mort,etc for defamation of character, or find something to sue them on. Where’s Gloria Allred? I wouldn’t let this die down. Trust, they would have problems.
Nicole Kidman is playing the role of Grace Kelly, about her life as a princess. They have taken “artistic licence with the film and it has angered her family because, they have not authorised the movie and some facts are untrue according to them. So its a biopic without permission, its done all the time, but Nina Simone was a public figure so its allowed. So its something her family will have to deal with.
I actually feel that a different choice could have been made for this role. Zoe is a decent actress so she could probably interpret the role well, I don’t take issue with that. However, it does concern me that they have to put her in blackface to pull it off. There has to be some type of artistic integrity on the part of the actress in accepting a role. In the pictures the makeup doesn’t look good, natural, or believable, so one should ask, oneself will this take away from the role? If that answer is yes, no matter how much you want to pay homage to the character, or how big the check is, artistic integrity should prevail.
I most certainly will go to see it. My issue is not that someone has to look like someone to portray them. My issue is there are many African American actresses in Hollywood who would have OWNED that role. I have never once seen/heard/read Zoe calling herself black. But now she is claiming that title to try to make everyone including herself feel better about her playing the role. I dig Zoe and think she is talented but I wanted someone else to get this role to help them break out. We need to see more black women in Hollywood doing more then playing the southern maid or the dancer. WE ARE DIVERSE AND NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY THAT AND THERE SHOULD NOT BE A CATCH-ALL ACTRESS WHO GETS ALL THE GOOD ROLES.
Why should she have to “claim being black” as you said, you can look at the woman with that skin and that nose that she is black or of African decent. That doesn’t have to be spoken it simply is. And becaseu she never annunciated her blackness so the world hear doesn’t change who she is? That’s silly. For whatever reason they chose Zoe to play this part before you swing on her because she never told the world she’s black, lets leave race out and see how as an ACTOR she played the part!
I think that the way Zoe looks in comparison to Nina will just serve as a distraction and will take away from Nina’s story which is what this biopic is all about. The make up and wig are beat! She looks weird. I don’t doubt Zoe’s acting abilities or her “blackness”, I just would have preferred someone who wouldn’t distract the audience from the STORY! A lot of Nina’s story has to do with her appearance and her struggle to be accepted because of it. They should have thought a lot harder about this before casting Zoe. Black women are not interchangable just because we are black! That’s where the insult comes in to play. Zoe is awesome, Nina is awesome. They are just different in so many ways.
I have nothing against Zoe, but as a life-long Nina Simone STAN the decision to choose her is still completely beyond me. Nina was not just a singer. She was a woman of great strength, intelligence, black pride, love and was extremely soulful. Skin color aside, I just don’t think Zoe can pull off the character. She has yet to play a role where she was a dynamic character that made me respect her talent as an actress. There are tons of roles that have been played where the actress/actor does not resemble the person they are depicting but it’s the ACTING that sells. Zoe isn’t a great actress. Just because she is popular amongst white Hollywood does not mean that she is a good actress. Angela Bassett KILLED her Tina Turner performance in “What’s Love Got To Do With It”. There are a number of more qualified, black actresses out there.
At the end of the day, Zoe being chosen for the part of Nina Simone is telling of how much white Hollywood does not give GOOD and talented black actresses dynamic roles.
I will watch because I want to see if she does justice to the role of Ms. Simone.
Denzel Washington played Malcolm X, he’s about 2 shades darker than Bro Malcolm, but he played the role because he’s an actor and he BECAME Malcolm for the role. Angela Bassett looks nothing like Tina Turner, she was too muscular and several shades darker and she wasn’t a dancer but she became Tina Turner for the role. Will Smith had to bulk up to BECOME Ali and alter his appearance to become the man. This is what actors do, they become the character, through their skills as an actor. It has nothing to do with how black, ethnic afro-centric the actor playing the part looks. Zoe is a Black woman playing the part of a black woman, she can’t sing, but they will do that through the magic of Hollywood, she may not be as dark as Nina was but so what, she playing the part. I would think that many people read for this part and she was chosen because they felt her audition more than any other. That said, the issue is with the black people who were “offended” because she happens to also be latina. News flash, I’m black, 100% black from the islands no dilution and Zoe is darker than me. Am I any less black because I’m lighter or is she any less black because she’s also Latina? Black people get over yourselves and begin to evolve past the stereotypes and negativity. Sometimes I swear black people hurt or hold themselves back from evolving past the bullshit more that other races hold us back. I’ll reserve my judgement on whether or not she as an actor BECAME Nina Simone once I see the movie. Peace!
FOR ALL THOSE THAT THINK THIS ISN’T A BIG DEAL, PLEASE GO ON THE NINASIMONE MUSIC TWITTER, NINA SIMONE OFFICIAL WEBSITE, SIMONE’S WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, AND TELL THE FAMILY THAT NINA SIMONE SHOULD BE PORTRAYED ANYWAY IMAGINABLE. BECAUSE NINA SIMONE IS A NON-FACTOR, THEIR OPINION,PAIN, DISGUST IS A NON-FACTOR. IT’S NOT ABOUT HOW THE ACTOR FEELS, IT’S ABOUT HOW THE FAMILY FEELS. LIKE I SAID BEFORE, FOR THOSE IN DEFENSE OF THIS MOVIE, NEVER UNDERSTOOD THE LIFE, THE THOUGHT PROCCESS OF THE EMPRESS NINA SIMONE. NOW, SINCE PEOPLE ARE SO BLIND, THAN MONIQUE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY LENA HORNE. SHE’S A GOOD ACTRESS, AN OSCAR WINNER. PEOPLE KILL ME WITH THIS , DOESN’T MATTER MANTRA, JUST IGNORE THE FAMILY. THIS WAS A BAD MOVE. YOU SEE, JUDY SMITH THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND THE REAL LIFE OLIVIA POPE, PICKED KERRY WASHINGTON, WHO LOOKS ALMOST LIKE HER. ZOE PORTRAYING NINA SIMONE IS SO RACIST, IT’S RIDICULOUS. THIS IS LIKE DURING THE GOLDEN ERA OF HOLLYWOOD, WHEN THE MOVIES HAD MULATTOS PLAYED BY WHITE ACTRESSES. BUT SINCE YOU YOUNG GENERATION IS THE SAME GENERATION THAT REFER TO EACH OTHER AS NIGGA, AND NAPPY HEAD, YOU WOULDN’T UNDERSTAND WHY THEIR IS BLACKLASH. FOR BLACKS TO BE IN AGREEMENT, JUST PROVES THAT SOCIAL CONDITIONING OF WHITE SUPERIORITY HAS BEEN EMBEDDED IN OUR DNA. AND PLEASE READ MALCOM X BY ALEX HAILEY, AND WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY ON HIS LIFE, BEFORE STATING HE WOULDN’T BE UPSET OVER THIS FILM. BETTER YET, GO ON YOUTUBE, AND PULL UP DICK GREGORY VIDEOS.
what’s really going on with our people . once upon a time we didn’t care what shade mixed or not, when we forth to have black actors and actresses get roles in hollywood we didn’t give a damn then, in the struggle. Now what did Nina & others forth for? Well today it paid off ’cause Zoe now, a Latino Afro american woman can act as a lead actress in a role.
How many times we saw white actors, pure Caucasians or not, did they say well she’s not Caucasian enough to do it? Please leave the sister to do what she does best. she’s a black/Latino woman in the diaspora. respect that!!
Like I said, the mere fact that Nina Simone family and estate is against the movie, than we should respect and honor their wishes. Johnny Depp was rumored to have wanted to play Michael Jackson. Ok, than going by the logic on this board, Johnny should be play Michael. 1.Johnny Depp isn’t white, nor does he profess to be white.2.He does have African blood. 3.He’s extremely talented, and would bring so much to the role, and it’s not about the physical but the talent,And since MJ skin turned white due to his illness, than he should have a shot, and black folks shouldn’t say anything about it. Ok, I’m done, with this debate. I won’t support the film, and at the end of the day, I only wanted Simone to be represented the way she and her family and fans wanted her to be represented. Silly me for thinking about their feelings.
You Know what, I honestly don’t agree with the choice for a lot of reasons, Zoe is a remarkable talent in the acting world, I just think that the powers that be should have taken the time to actually find a darker skinned actress to portray her instead of just the “It” black girl of the moment and im sure there is shade thrown to the dark skin girls a lil bit lol. with that being said this is who they chose so now Ms. Zoe its time to show and prove your worth in this game if you pull this off this could mean Oscar Teeeez hunty! so in the words of Ms. Rupaul “Good luck and dont Fuck It Up! Lmao no shade
I’m doing it for my sisters. I’m doing it for my brothers is she serious, this coming from a woman that doesn’t even date black men.
WHY ALL THIS POLIMIC ON AFRICAN AMERICAN SISTA OK SHE IS LIGHT SKIN BUT ITZ NOT FAULT MANY AFRICAN AMERICAN MALCOM X MOM ROSA PARKS…SHE SING SO GOOD BUT SHE WAS MARRIED WIT WHITE BUT FOR ME SHE WAS NOT PROUD TO BE BLACK TOO JAME BROWN HE SING IM BLACK IM PROUD BUT WIFE WAS WHITE FAKE TOO FOR ME ZOE IS A BELLA NGRA GRANDE ACTRESS
MERDE BOYFRIEND IS WHITE TOO KEITH BRITTON FOR ME ITZ THA SAME FAMILY NINA SIMONE LIKE WHITE MEN DEJA ALL MOVIE SHE IS COUPLE WIT WHITE GUY IN GUESS WHO N TOO IN COLOMBIANA WIT A WHITE GUY MERDE REALLY FAKE ALL SISTAZ OR BROTHER COUPLE WIT CAUCASIAN ARE FAKE SO MUCH SHE IZ BELLA WHY NOT BE WIT PRETTY NEGRO GUY THAN WIT A WHITE GUY SO LOST ZOE TOO LOST THAN HALLE BERRY
I’m not gonna get in on the racial issue, but Zoe in the photos reminds me of “Watermelon Man” or Ice Cube’s “Black.White”, where the makeup transformation is so unrealistic that it can’t possibly be intended for anyone to take seriously. As much as I like Zoe, she should’ve passed on this one.
The problem I have with this casting is they casted her as if there were no other people for the part. Kimberly Elise would have been perfection, and I don’t give a damn what Black latina’s say I live in the Bronx surrounded by Dominicans and Puerto Ricans and Black pirde is non existent with them. They will claim to be anything on the planet but Blalck. Turn on Telemundo or any of the Spanish tv stations, how many anchors, actors, reporters look like Saldana? She wouldn’t even be in media in those countries.
Casting matters. Black people don’t like to address the fact that there are types of blackness: a black person from Sudan is not the same as a black person from Brazil; We are a varied people and we should be treated as such. Unfortunately Saldana is just the wrong type of black for this role. if people are putting this down to skin tone, then yes, she’s the wrong skin tone and she’s too far away from the desired skin tone to credibly portray Nina Simone (even with skilfully applied make up). Aside from race, there is nothing about Saldanda that smacks of Nina Simone. Can actors play any role on the basis that they are deemed to be the same race as the character? Can Gabourey Sidbe play Beyoncé? Can Ricky Gervais play Justin Timberlake? Can Leonardo Di Caprio play Tom Jones? Who would take these films seriously?
In Hollywood, this type of lazy casting would never happen for any other group, but some how when it comes to the story of one of the world’s most magnificently principled black women, it’s not such a big deal- as long as the actress is at least part black? Casting an actress who is so obviously of mixed heritage to play a black woman is quite off. And it would never go the other way- an obviously mixed race actor would never be cast to play an iconic white person.For example would Halle Berry- an actress of both black and white heritage- ever be cast to play Marilyn Monroe? I don’t think so, so why should a mixed woman be allowed to play a black icon? Clearly Hollywood is still operating on the “One Drop Rule”.
This casting says to me is that Hollywood has so little faith/interest in black women, with black skin, that they do not even afford them with the courtesy of allowing tell their own stories.
Amazing, that the TLC TV movie has been casted better than this!
Oh my god they put someone in BLACKFACE to play NINA SIMONE. They just keep spitting on our experiences as black people. Nina’s physique and skin tone is so central to her life and art. She has all these songs about race. So they paint and prostheticize someone to play her instead of picking one of the hundreds of black actresses that resemble her?!?! You would think that with all Nina did in her life it served to reserve a portrayal of her for someone who looked like her!!