The Nina Simone estate is not happy about the Nina Simone biopic casting, and voiced their opinion via twitter. Actress Zoe Saldana is receiving TONS of backlash over her ambitious role as legendary singer and civil activist Nina Simone. After the trailer was released yesterday, the uproar started due to Zoe’s heritage (Dominican & Puerto Rican), her look, and singing skills. Nina Simone’s estate released a official statement, and they did not hold the punches. They caused an even bigger outroar with their response, proving that the family is not accepting this movie one bit.
Check out the tweet below . How you feel about it?
.@zoesaldana Cool story but please take Nina’s name out your mouth. For the rest of your life.
— Nina Simone (@NinaSimoneMusic) March 3, 2016
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 is not the first time the family has voiced concerns overcast. Back in 2012 the official Nina Simone Facebook, daughter, Simone Kelly, wrote: “I love Zoe Saldana, we all love Zoe… From Avatar to Colombiana, I’ve seen those movies a few times. But not every project is for everybody. And I know what my mother would think. I just don’t get it…”
With the issue of race playing such a pivotal role in Simone’s story, many fans of the singer felt an African-American actress would have been more suitable.
Saldana, 34, replaced singer Mary J Blige – who dropped out of the project due to scheduling conflicts.
The unauthorised film biopic focuses on the last eight years of Simone’s life and the relationship between the singer and her then-manager Clifton Henderson, played by British actor David Oyelowo.
Ms Kelly is on record as saying she would have preferred to see Oscar-winner Viola Davis in the role, or Beloved actress Kimberly Elise.
