Nina Simone’s Estate To Zoe Saldana: ‘Take Her Name Out Your Mouth’ — Controversial Trailer And Poster Drop For ‘Nina’ Biopic
The news of Zoe Saldana playing famed singer Nina Simone was not received well from the very beginning. As soon as it was announced, fans were up in arms because Zoe Saldana’s appearance didn’t cut it.
Saldana’s significantly lighter than the singer and has more of a European look, while Nina Simone, who celebrated her African-American looks, often sang about the pain she was in while she experienced racism because of her dominant black features.
Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone is what happens when diversity doesn’t: https://t.co/udxw9Xwemp pic.twitter.com/A7OgsUV4wb
— Slate (@Slate) March 3, 2016
Then, photos circulated of the actress in darker makeup and wearing what appeared to be prosthetics on her face to capture the specific look of Nina Simone. These photos were met with even more backlash, and many think pieces were written about whether or not putting a light skinned Dominican actress in black face was justified.
Then, the Nina Simone biopic, Nina, seemed to be on hold, so fans cooled down as it looked like the film would never see the light of day. Well, production got their acts together and released the first poster and a trailer featuring Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone.
The estate of Nina Simone isn’t happy that this movie is going forward and have responded using Nina Simone’s official Twitter, with one single tweet that has received some major attention.
.@zoesaldana Cool story but please take Nina’s name out your mouth. For the rest of your life.
— Nina Simone (@NinaSimoneMusic) March 3, 2016
Here’s a look at the poster, which is bringing more controversy to the unreleased film.
See a poster for Zoe Saldana-starring Nina Simone biopic: https://t.co/8nsaC83oZl pic.twitter.com/oif5Q00voR
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) March 1, 2016
Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone looks like Eddie Murphy as James Thunder Early in Dreamgirls =/
— Tish.0™ (@Tish_Point0) March 3, 2016
The estate continued to retweet and tweet about their heartbreak in regards to Saldana taking on the role of Nina Simone.
SMH at folks more concerned about Zoe’s feelings than they are about the disgracing of @NinaSimoneMusic. You want “tact” or you want REAL?!?
— Aaron Overfield (@Undermeadow) March 3, 2016
…You know who I hurt for and the most angry for? Nina Simone’s daughter. She has to live through this. NO DAUGHTER DESERVES THAT.
— Film Fatale NYC (@FilmFatale_NYC) March 2, 2016
This is the last tweet in regard to the film.
Hopefully people begin to understand this is painful. Gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, nauseating, soul-crushing. It shall pass, but for now…
— Nina Simone (@NinaSimoneMusic) March 3, 2016
This isn’t the first time the estate has discussed their feelings on this particular biopic. Nina’s daughter Simone had much to say about actress that she had in mind to play her mother.
“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. 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.”
As stated, many fans wanted Viola Davis or Uzo Aduba to play Nina Simone over Zoe Saldana.
The Avatar actress was not silent in all of this negativity surrounding her involvement in the biopic. Of the whole process, Saldana said that Nina deserves better. As the Inquisitr reported, Saldana spoke to Essence about the problems within the production.
“The people behind the project weren’t my cup of tea. The director was fine, but there was a lot of mismanagement, which is why we’re still here three years later. And I’m still trying to fight with everybody to get the movie finished. Nina deserves better.”
Back in February of 2013, she acknowledged the initial negative comments that she received.
“I guess what kept me from being hurt by the negative comments was that I’m doing it for my sistas and my brothas and I don’t care who tells me I’m not this or I’m not that, I know who I am and I know what Nina Simone means to me.”
Check out the controversial trailer for the film below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6yfxOCiHr4
[Image via ELJ Entertainment]