Thursday, March 28, 2024

Zoe Saldana to ‘Nina’ Critics: ‘Don’t Address Me with Such Disdain’

zoe saldana*Zoe Saldana has flipped-flopped over the years about race and her identity, and the Afro-Latina continues to defend herself against criticism against her Nina Simone role. Many objected to Saldana portraying Simone, arguing that the New York native was too light or not fully Black to portray the jazz legend. Simone’s transformation into Nina required a prosthetic nose and heavy make-up to darken her complexion.

After years of delay, “Nina” was quietly released to mixed reviews and heavy social media criticism. Zoe speaks about the backlash with Allure Magazine, and she was–once again–unapologetic about taking the role.

“The script probably would still be lying around, going from office to office, agency to agency, and nobody would have done it. Female stories aren’t relevant enough, especially a Black female story,” Saldana told the mag. “I made a choice. Do I continue passing on the script and hope that the ‘right’ Black person will do it, or do I say, ‘You know what? Whatever consequences this may bring about, my casting is nothing in comparison to the fact that this story must be told.’”

READ RELATED STORY: ‘Nina’ Director Explains Reason for Casting Zoe Saldana as Singing Legend

Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone in "Nina"
Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone in “Nina”

Despite fierce rejection of her portrayal as Nina Simone, Saldana is proud to have been a part of something that will leave an impact in pop culture history.

“The fact that we’re talking about her, that Nina Simone is trending? We f–king won. For so many years, nobody knew who the f–k she was. She is essential to our American history. As a woman first, and only then as everything else.”

Zoe also has a few words to those who said she wasn’t Black enough to play Simone, “There’s no one way to be Black,” she explained. “I’m Black the way I know how to be. You have no idea who I am. I am Black. I’m raising Black men. Don’t you ever think you can look at me and address me with such disdain.”

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