Nina simone

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. Watch the trailer for Zoe Saldana's long-awaited Nina Simone biopic 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 … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Nina Simone’s family slam Zoe Saldana over biopic

The wait is over for moviegoers curious to see Zoe Saldana tackle the job of bringing music legend Nina Simone to life on screen. The first trailer for "Nina," starring Saldana and directed by Cynthia Mort, debuted on "Today." Zoe Saldana's husband insisted on taking her last name The film -- which has been a passion project for "Star Trek" and "Guardians of the Galaxy" star Saldana for years -- focuses on Simone's career resurgence inspired by her relationship with assistant-turned-manager Clifton Henderson (David Oyelowo). "Nina" will be released in theaters and on VOD and Digital HD on April 22, 2016. … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo First look: Watch the trailer for Zoe Saldana’s long-awaited Nina Simone biopic

Zoe Saldana has found herself an unlikely supporter: Nina Simone's daughter. Saldana has faced a rash of backlash following the release last week of the trailer for "Nina," her long-delayed biopic about the famed jazz singer, and a good deal of that backlash was prompted by the Twitter account for the estate of Simone, "Please take Nina's name out your mouth. For the rest of your life," the account tweeted, as well as a video of Simone singing "Go to Hell." At the time, many assumed it was Simone's daughter, Simone Kelly, behind the tweets, but family members told Time magazine they did not know who is currently running the Twitter account. First-look: Watch the trailer for Zoe Saldana's long-awaited Nina Simone biopic Kelly did, however, express concern for Saldana. "It's unfortunate that Zoe Saldana is being attacked so viciously when she is someone who is part of a larger picture," Kelly said. "It's clear she brought her best to this project, but unfortunately she's being … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Nina Simone’s daughter sticks up for Zoe Saldana amid “Nina” backlash

The distributor of "Nina," the Nina Simone biopic starring Zoe Saldana, is finally speaking out about criticism both Saldana and the film have received since its trailer was released last month. First look: Watch the trailer for Zoe Saldana's long-awaited Nina Simone biopic "It's unfortunate that African-Americans are talking about this in a way that hearkens back to how we were treated when we were slaves," RLJ Entertainment founder and chair Robert L. Johnson told the Hollywood Reporter. "The slave masters separated light-skinned blacks from dark-skinned blacks, and some of that social DNA still exists today among many black people." Johnson, who also founded BET, balked at outcries over the decision to use skin-darkening makeup and prosthetics to alter Saldana's appearance to play jazz legend Simone. Nina Simone's daughter sticks up for Zoe Saldana amid "Nina" backlash "Who's to decide when you're black enough?" he said. "As an African-American, I will gladly engage anyone … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Nina Simone biopic distributor defends Zoe Saldana casting

Last Updated Oct 6, 2017 2:48 PM EDT NEW YORK — The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its nominations for induction next year, and British rockers Radiohead, singer Nina Simone and The Moody Blues are among the first-time nominees for the honor.Nine of the 19 acts nominated Thursday are on the ballot for the first time, with Radiohead and Rage Against the Machine getting a chance for immortality in their first year of eligibility. Between five to seven acts usually make it following a vote of 900 industry experts. Inductees will be announced in December with the ceremony set for Cleveland, Ohio, on April 14.Heavy metal favorites Judas Priest, British singer Kate Bush, the "Sultans of Swing" band Dire Straits, the popular 1980s duo Eurythmics and gospel guitarist Sister Rosetta Tharpe will also be on the ballot for the first time.Rock and Roll Hall of Fame expanding to JapanThe grungy hit "Creep" introduced Radiohead to the world in 1992 but the third album "OK … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominates Radiohead, Nina Simone