Zoe Saldana Cast To Play Nina Simone? Nina’s Daughter Says Film Is Not Authorized But Prefers Angela Bassett If It Happens

By LMB Staff on

Photo via Facebook

Originally Mary J Blige had been casted to play the role of the iconic and influential jazz singer, Nina Simone. Last week, we learned that for whatever reason [rumors suggest money issues] Mary pulled out from the project had been replaced by Zoe Saldana.

While Zoe is indeed a very beautiful and talented actress, the question of whether or not she is the proper ‘complexion’ to play Nina, who was a beautiful full figured dark skin woman, has to be asked and apparently we are not the only ones confused at how a woman born to Dominican and Puerto Rican parents can play a dark skin Black woman as Nina’s daughter Simone, took time out from her busy Broadway schedule to address the rumors surrounding the film via her mothers Facebook page.

First, Simone posed the following question to FB Fans:

Greetings Nina Simone Lovers…Simone here. The rumor mill is once again at work regarding ZOE ZALDANA playing my mother in a biopic…have you heard this? If, so what do you think? I will await your responses before I share my heart.

After receiving over 480 comments, Simone returned with the following:

Greetings Nina Simone Lovers, Simone here.

I have read many of the comments am happy you all took the time to share your thoughts and feelings.

Here’s mine:

When the announcement initially hit the press with MJ Blige cast as Nina (about 6 yrs ago) I heard it along with everyone else. The story was written as a love story between my mother and her former nurse, Clifton Henderson and primarily takes place during the last 8 years of her life.

Please note, this project is unauthorized. The Nina Simone Estate was never asked permission nor invited to participate.

I have seen many names regarding who you think should play the role of Nina. Remember Angela Bassett as Tina Turner? SHE NAILED IT! Angela Bassett is an ACTRESS! And, we all know she lip synced along with Tina and did an amazing job. Personally, I prefer an actress to a singer. Just because a person is great at one does not mean they will be great at the other. If written, funded and CAST PROPERLY a movie about my mother will make an lasting imprint.

My vision of a movie about my mother includes SO many pivotal moments that are monumentally important towards relaying the journey of a woman whose journey began as a child prodigy born in North Carolina in the 1930′s…too many to list here but, trust when I say the tale will inspire through the sheer sharing of HOW Eunice Waymon became Nina Simone, The High Priestess Of Soul renowned worldwide. How many of you know my mother’s FIRST love was classical music? Do you know the hours she practiced preparing to audition for the Curtis Institute of Music only to be rejected because of the color of her skin? **After my mother made her transition I accepted a diploma from that very same institute with a speech she began writing but was unable to finish prior to her death.** As a child, my mother was told her nose was too big and she was too dark yet she graduated valedictorian of her high school class – The Allen School for Girls – AND, skipped two grades. Nina was one of the most outspoken, prolifically gifted artists using the stage to speak out against racism during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960′s. Her friends included Betty Shabazz, Lorraine Hansberry (my godmother), Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Miriam Makeba, Stokely Carmichael, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings and Queens worldwide. Had she become a classical pianist, which was her dream….shattered, I doubt she would have found her true destiny. Nina Simone was a voice for her people and she spoke out HONESTLY, sang to us FROM HER SOUL, shared her joy, pain, anger and intelligence poetically in a style all her own. My mother stood up for justice, by any means necessary hahahaha YES, she was a revolutionary til the day she died. From Tragedy to Transcendence – MY VISION. The whole arc of her life which is inspirational, educational, entertaining and downright shocking at times is what needs to be told THE RIGHT WAY.

By the way:
Clifton Henderson was gay. He was not attracted to women. So, the truth is…Nina Simone and Clifton Henderson NEVER had a relationship other than a business one.

Please correct me, but isn’t a biopic the story of one’s life?

I have faith things will work out the right way and my mother’s real story will be told. For all she endured while here and all of the lives she has touched, she DESERVES to be remembered for who she truly was; not some made up love story from a former nurse/manager (now deceased) who sold his life rights because of his relationship to Nina Simone.

Ciao Y’All….Simone

What do you think about the casting of Zoe as Nina Simone?

About LMB Staff

Love My Black is an online magazine that covers news surrounding Black Entertainment, Music, Fashion and Culture.

http://www.facebook.com/a.daneecakes Danee Cakes

Hell no, why would she be the choice. This is a woman who gets annoyed when ppl ask her if she is black!
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Anika Rose or…maybe even Kimberly Elise may be better suited for the role. Anika can sing AND act!