Nina Simone's family slam Zoe Saldana over biopic
Not everyone is excited to see Zoe Saldana play music legend Nina Simone.
The trailer for the long-delayed biopic, "Nina," was released Wednesday, and it didn't take long for critics of the project to voice their concerns. Chief among them were Simone's own family, who have been using the @NinaSimoneEstate Twitter account to voice their displeasure.
Critics, including Simone's daughter, Simone Kelly, have cried foul over Saldana's donning skin-darkening makeup and a prosthetic nose to look more like the late singer. In 2013, Kelly suggested to Ebony that there were better choices for portraying her mother, such as Viola Davis, Kimberly Elise or even a complete unknown.
"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," she said. "I also have no problem introducing someone we've never heard of before who can play my mother."
Shortly after the trailer debuted, the account posted a link to Simone performing a song called "Go to Hell."
And hours later, when Saldana responded to criticism of the trailer with a Simone quote, the family's account took her on directly, responding, "Please take Nina's name out of your mouth. For the rest of your life."
"Nina" will be released April 22, a day the estate's Facebook page suggested be used instead as a Nina Simone listening party day for fans.