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 no...
Zoe Saldana Under Fire for Playing Nina Simone in Upcoming Film
Written by Kimberly Ripley
  • 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.

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