No word yet on why Mary J. Blige was dropped from the starring role of Nina Simone in a new bio-pic but insiders shed light on who else was passed over and why...
For the past few days the Internet has been buzzing with the news that Zoe Saldana had been re-cast in the starring role of Nina Simone after the role had be promised to Mary J. Blige, but Mary's not the only one who wanted the part.
According to insiders the choice came down between Zoe Saldana and Oscar winning actress Viola Davis and Zoe was chosen by the producer based on box office numbers.
143 comments:
Pick viola davis please
Hell...they're worried about box office numbers? Why not cast Sandra Bullock as Nina Simone? I mean if we're going to throw a realistic casting out of the window anybody could play it then if it's all about numbers. Viola Davis would have been perfect and I think Viola has been in more higher grossing films than Zoe I don't know wtf crack the producers are smoking.
Jennifer Hudson or Angela Bassett
STOP WHITE WASHING OUR PEOPLE.. !!! HELLWOOD..(AKA HOLLYWOOD) IM TALKING TO YOU. Nina Simone eluded strength, class, soul,and beauty. Please for the love of GOD- Let us have ONE realistic movie about one of the greatest black female artists of all time. I don't think thats asking a lot. NOT ALL OF US WANT TO BE WHITE. SORRY!
BUT Zoe can't Act Though and Viola is An Outstanding ACTOR (Screen and Stage!!!) SMDH
I was thinking why dont they cast america's darling Carrie Underwood she does sing. She is sure to bring the good old boys and the nascar crowd to the theater.
I like Zoe... Think she needs to eat a sandwich but I like her. But please please pick someone who can actually do the role justice. Someone who can sing and actually look like or has the same concept of ms. Nina
This movie will go straight to dvd...white folks do what they want!
LAURYN HILL SHOULD GET THE ROLE OF NINA SIMONE. BUT IS VIOLA GETS IT SHE WILL GO GREAT TOO. BUT LAURYN HILLS CAN ACT AND CAN BE NINA SIMONE VOCALLY
BUT IF
Now I'm mad at Zoe for accepting the role, next bio pick of Marilyn monroe,
lets have Tori Spelling play her.
What about Anika Noni Rose, she can sing, they can tone down her beauty for the role or Viola Davis. Just goes to show how much, Hollywood has never celebrated the true african beauty. They find mixed girls like Halle or Zoe and want to give them all the roles. Those girls are mixed, halles mamma is white and Zoe is Dominican, with straight hair, she's a dark skinned Latina.
No wonder black men run to the other woman, the real african beauty is never celebrated on the silver screen. The only chance the African beauty's get to shine are in high fashion magazines.
There are plenty of beautiful, talented black actresses who can sing, but never get to shine and become box office draws, because true afro-centric beauty is not celebrated in hollywood. Yet when Jenny from the block has an ass they act like its new, or when Angie Jo has fluffy lips, she's gorgeous, everyone is getting injected to look sexy, yet the real beauty has been ignored. Have you ever felt the smoothness of a true black woman's skin, its like velvet, or have you ever kissed her lips, the softness will melt you. Or have you ever noticed the curve in the small of her back, How they do that? Look at the african eyes how they slant up, and the eye lashes curl by themselves.
Its the white friendly girls that get the shine. Stay strong sisters
ZOE AS NINA SIMONE IS A JOKE.
YESSS SISTA'S STAY STRONG
IN THE BEGINING THERE WAS "DARKNESS"
THE MOTHER OF JESUS CHRIST "DARKNESS SHE WAS"
My sisters, light and especially my dark ones, do not give up! You hold great power. The great women of the Bible were black. They stole our history from us. They're mad at us. Don't believe the hype. Stop bleaching your skin and only wear fake hair because you feel like changing up your personal style or giving your natural hair a break, not because you hate yourself.
@ 1:50 Anika Noni Rose would do great she is so graceful and I would love to see her play Nina. And yessss to everything else you wrote.
Lauryn hill
According to insiders the choice came down between Zoe Saldana and Oscar winning actress Viola Davis and Zoe was chosen by the producer based on V̶i̶o̶l̶a̶ ̶b̶e̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶o̶o̶ ̶d̶a̶r̶k̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶p̶o̶t̶e̶n̶t̶i̶a̶l̶ ̶w̶h̶i̶t̶e̶ ̶a̶u̶d̶i̶e̶n̶c̶e̶ box office numbers.
//Fixed//
mary can't act soi see why she was replaced/overlooked.. mary is too damn hood but a person who is not black playing nina is ridiculous.. white folks playing egyptians,spanish speaking people playing native americans,when will this stop???
i am NOT going to see movie Zoe Saldana playing Nina Simoe. IT is not a credible cast. See about them numbers....
I just went to Nina Simone's FB page and left a note for the daughter ....... saying that i do not support the casting decision of Zoe Saldana... Nina Simone's daughter asked the ?? on the FB page how you felt about Zoe Saldana playing her Mother..... click here to view and respond https://www.facebook.com/nina.simone
BOYCOTT! BOYCOTT! BOYCOTT!
BOYCOTT!!!!
Zoe Saldana is not the best actor in the world, and she's has no fire behind her eyes. She's boring. No real soul she somehow, always looks sad. You ever notice that when Hollywood forces it's "IT" girls on us, it's always more hype than real memorable work. Ex Gwinith Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston, are all hype. We remember who they date more than what movies roles they had to keep them relevant. Notice they try to push Zoe with that Dradly Cooper, still no one cares. Sorry to say she's not that exciting.
..and Zoe accepted? Zoe really needs to opt out the project. We don't want you to play Nina!
... with her boring ass. This heffa has no range.
From Petition 'Nina' So eloquently put!
"Moment over, this dark skin, kinky hair, self named goddess that oozed both intelligence and sensuality in a time that honored the fair side of ebony, showed up and dared you to deny her every bit of limelight she wanted ~ she deserved.
Now lets talk talent. The pure talent needed to submerge oneself into the inner most essences of which is/was Simone requires an actress whom can emotionally articulate a mesmerizing life of disappointments, love and grace, artistic humilation, self claimed regality, and unsung fortune we call Ms Nina Simone. She will not be found hollywoods' version of acceptable black and non-threatening ~this women, in the midst of severe racism song "Mississippi goddam" and didnt blink."
They just lost a movie-goer! I won't be seeing it, with this fake casting! NO TO ZOE!!
Why not a full blown AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN???
SMDH
Remember the movie Moulin Rouge, Staring Nicole Kidman, or that wonderful FLOP called NINE. Proof that Big star names don't guarantee box office success . Oh but we don't remember.
@8:32 - I agree. I never got the appeal about Zoe. To me, she's a dead-eyed, mostly depressed-looking stick figure. But, for whatever reason(s), she's The Chosen One for TPTB, so she's gonna keep getting shoved down the public's collective throat until they find a new token actress of color.
Viola didn't win an Oscar it was Octavia from the HELP movie
I put a spell on you the autobiography was one of the best bio's Ive ever read, I did not know to much about her music then, that summer every song she talked about was like an experience, I ran out and hunted for the CD, it ended up costing me a lot of money that summer, but so worth it. As a musician I learned so much about music too. I lot of her pain came from the fact that she was black with dark skin, and she was looking for love and she had to go in and find a deeper love. I love you porgy is so filled with sadness that only she, can express. This is a Black woman's, story. Zoe you are one of us yes, but you know like a green banana and a yellow banana there is a big difference. Same on you for even thinking you can play her.
Don't worry Mary J. When Hollywood does the story of your life, they will have Paris Jackson play the role. She's black too you know.
WE NEED TO PROTEST THIS BULLSHIT!
I refuse to watch this shit. Firstly, Zoe isn't even black. Secondly, Zoe isn't even dark skinned. Fuck outta here.
@ 1:50
Preach!
Money talks
Boycott and Petition...No way can one note Zoe bring to life the soul and brillance that is Nina Simone...
ZOE IS BLACK.. She CLAIMS BLACK ALL THE TIME.. SHE WOULD BE PUT IN THE BACK OF THE BUS.. JUST BC SHE HAS ST8 HAIR AND SPKS SPANISH YALL HATING!!...
BUT VIOLA DAVIS IS THE BEST PICK OUT OF ALL..
SHE IS VERY PASSIONATE, PERFECT ACTRESS AND EVEN HAS MISS NINA'S VIBE A BIT..
PICK VIOLA DAVIS!!!!!!!
You can clearly look at the picture of Viola & Nina they look alike! Nina needs to be played by someone more believable...Like the choice should of been between Viola (being that she looks like her), Anika Noni Rose or Lauren Hill...people of her color that has a voice and alot of personality!
Hell naw, black women are even being phased out from their own life stories, Wtf. Exotic creatures are getting all the black women roles. This broad couldn't hold nina's bra strap, what does she know about the black struggle nina went through, how the hell a Latina gonna lip synch nina's song, young gifted and black, how she gonna lip sync nina's anti lynching song, mississippi goddamn. Boycott this shit, viola would have been great but they had to give it to a chick that ain't black, hell naw.
It is about race, they would never let Mayim Bialik (Blosson) Play Liz taylor, she's not the same kind of white as liz. There is a difference you know. Adrien Brody and Brad Pitt are very different types. Gina Gershon, and Charlize Theron are not the same. Model Jone Smalls and Naomi Campbell are not the same. Rihanna and India Ire are not the same. Western standards of beauty prefer the more Euro Mix then the African mix, Suprerficial black men do too. Don't Worry girls, it rarely last any way, ask the Girls from Hollywood Exes, or Evelin, or Heidi Klum.
10:25, she doesn't even like blacks, including black men. Open secret in Hollywood, zoe and her friend gina torres, the dark latina married to Larry fishburne, conspired to be black friendly so they can get all the black actress roles. Gina don't allow bw near Larry, every other race of woman is ok and gina and zoe are known to talk shit about bw, they playing the game and winning.
@ 9:32
"Zoe you are one of us yes, but you know like a green banana and a yellow banana there is a big difference."
Shane one your Zoe you know the difference
I ain't surprised, when I was in Europe, I saw a show on Harriet human and they had a dutch/African, light in complexion, playing human. Black women are losing and have every right to be pissed, take a stand and shut this shit down. Sign the petition on Facebook. Shut it down like u shut down wesleys career, because of u, he's straight dvd. Show them your consumer power.
Shit, I did a typo, on my cell, Harriet tubman
... black women are even being phased out from their own life stories, Wtf. - 10:33
____
well said!
I'm from the Islands, I know what you are talking about with the example with the Green and Yellow Banana's, One is not better than the other, they are just slightly different. But never mistaken for each other. In America when it comes to blacks, they want to put us all in the same box. Yet when they want to they have their preferences to at the same time, to keep us confused. We all know the difference. We are all know who we are as blacks, the ones who are yellow and the ones who are green.
Typical. It's Hollywood.
Man thats going the be the end of her Career, no one will ever respect her ever again.
Are you kidding me? Viola Davis would've been perfect! Amazing actress and physically matched.
AT least they didn't cast Angelina Jolie in blackface. *sighs*
Fantasia Barrino, she can sing and act, and could make an incredible sound track to go with the movie
SMH
Zoe and Sammy Sosa need wake up calls. They are Dominicans who can't stand the color of their skin and refuse to be part of the African American culture although it is IMPOSSIBLE to pass for anything other than that. It's funny how Zoe was black in Drumline but after the damn Avatar movie she is LATINA. Halle and many other Hollywood actors are mixed race but identify themselves as Black. Now that a to die for role has come along, Zoe is black?
She's Just not right for the role NEXT.
Four Women lyrics
My skin is black, my arms are long
My hair is woolly, my back is strong
Strong enough to take the pain, inflicted again and again
What do they call me? My name is aunt Sarah
My name is aunt Sarah, aunt Sarah
My skin is yellow, my hair is long
Between two worlds I do belong
But my father was rich and white
He forced my mother late one night
And what do they call me?
My name is Saffronia, my name is Saffronia
My skin is tan, my hair fine
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/n/nina-simone-lyrics/four-women-lyrics.html ]
My hips invite you, my mouth like wine
Whose little girl am I? Anyone who has money to buy
What do they call me? My name is Sweet Thing
My name is Sweet Thing
My skin is brown, my manner is tough
I'll kill the first mother I see, my life has been rough
I'm awfully bitter these days, because my parents were slaves
What do they call me? My name is Peaches
Thats all I have to say
Umm, does anyone remeber "Columbiana?" Yeah, I didn't think so. Now, does anyone remember "The Help?"
ENOUGH SAID.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnfoN-Keky0
Check out the Clip, of some real soul singer, after this, it will be hard for you to listen to crap.
This is the story of black woman
Zoe Saldana is a black latina. In Latin American countries and in Brazil, people as dark as Dennis Haysbert can claim that they are "white" or "mixed" while they are down there, but it does not work that way up here in the States.
She and quite a few other latino actors and actresses want to have their cake and eat it too. If she is going to represent solely as "latina", and pretend that she is not black as well, she needs to stop auditioning for black roles, taking work away from more credible black actresses.
She realizes if she were to stick with the "latina" label, the few latina roles that are out there will be going to WHITE latinas like JLo (who has moved being the "latina ghetto" and is now playing white roles only).
So to keep the checks coming in, she has to take "black" roles, because Hollywood is not ready to acknowledge the fact that "latino" is a CULTURE, and Latinos come in all races (black/white/asian), too.
@11:04 Fantasia is another good choice! The look and the voice! Maybe if her life were not so messy she could have been given serious consideration...
zoe should have enough respect four black american history and black women who struggle with existing in this world, to respect everything that nina simone stood for and the plight she had to face being an chocolate , big lip, big nose , kinky hair black women, to drop out of this project. she doesn't need the exposure, the girl is going to do avatar 2, and other projects lined up. for her to be a black woman, she should have enough respect and honor to say no to that. halle berry is a woman of honor, when aretha franklin wanted her to be in the biopic she said no gracefully.
if this movie is made with zoe saldano, i will no longer support anything connected to any project connected to zoe saldano, or the producers, directors. just to show people how they feel about our nina simone, they are having Cynthia Mort connected to it, a woman that is responsible for Roseanne and Will and Grace writing. so, our nina simone legacy is being written by a comedy writer , who credits include a gay sitcom, and a white low class family comedies. if you guys can't see where this is going, than it's sad. nina simone was better than this, and deserve better than this. and the funny thing about this, is that nina simone was extremely militant and full of rage, how can you sugarcoat her beliefsystem. please write to cythnia mort or call her, and email. boycott. this isn't about hating zoe but having enough respect for our leaders , to tell the truth. revolution needs to be televised. this is about every black girl who looked like nina simone, being visible and proud. in the memory of nina simone, stokely carmichael that said, go home and tell your black daughters that they are beautiful, to malcom x, who even though he was fair complexion would have been on television calling out the image genocide of our black women. if black folks ain't offfended, than we are truly hopeless and should continue to get everything thrown at us.
I wish y'all would quit saying its YT. IT'S NOT!!! It's the Jooos!!!! THEY ARE WHO MAKE ALL THE FUCKED UP DECISIONS IN HOLLYWOOD!!! NOT regular YT!! Look into the Khazars and the Protocols of Zion and you'll get your answers. That's who your "Illuminati" is...
Nina would not be pleased. All the trouble she went through as an artist because of her features and skin tone and they do this? I know Mary J can't act but I would prefer her over Zoe, this is some bullshyt and the producers know it. The fact that they first chose the non-acting Blige is a clue. You skip over all this black talent to end up with this? BYE! BTW Happy Birthday Angela Bassett!
@12:15pm
I guess you haven't heard the news (that was first announced back in the 1950s)...
Jews are white people, too.
(Except the ones like Lenny Kravitz, Lisa Bonet, and Rashida Jones, of course).
Box office? BOX OFFICE? Viola has two, count 'em, TWO Academy Award Nominations. If you do the movie right she could pull another one which would skyrocket your gotdamn BOX OFFICE idiots.
@12:22PM AND Whoopi Goldberg and Sammy Davis Jr....
SMH - This is indeed a very bad move. What next? Coming next summer: "The Life and Times of Nelson Mandela" Starring Justin Timberlake?
Please...
@2:07 Uh, what great women of the bible were black? We must be reading different versions... Let the Jews/Europeans keep their bible/Torah and we can keep our blackness as we really don't need their writings to have faith in a higher being...
@7:15 It is a common misconception that Cleopatra was of Egyptian descent - she wasn't: She was a Ptolemaic (ancient Macedonian/Greek) ruler that became the last Pharaoh of Egypt. Now, If this isn't what you referred to as whites playing Egyptians then I stand corrected...
@1:50 I couldn't have said it better: The black man/woman is the most hated, ridiculed and despised yet the most imitated trendsetting individual on the planet... ever. The same "nigger" bar room jokes whitey told about big butts, wide hips, big lips, dark skin and high cheek bones are now the most in demand plastic surgery procedures for whites and other non blacks...
I've always envisioned a day when all American black people could just find their own land (like the Jews) and move, forming a sovereign nation (Madagascar maybe?). This way, J-lo and Scarlett Johanssen could play Condi Rice and Michelle Obama hollywood when time comes...
Zoe is a movie star, not a serious "actress". There is a big difference. Some films should be produced and marketed solely on their artistic value, and not for "box office" receipts.
This is the type of movie George Clooney or Brad Pitt would do, knowing it wouldn't make much money, but they do it to make an artistic statement.
You can tell how dedicated the filmmakers are when you look at the casting. Andre 3000 was going to play Jimi Hendrix, and Jesse Martin was in negotiations to play Marvin Gaye, both CREDIBLE actors to play those roles.
Looks usually don't matter, but when you have someone like Nina Simone, whose life experiences were defined in a large way by her looks, they should have chosen an actress who can credibly portray some of the struggles she went through as a jazz musician and singer in the 1960s.
yeah I know they are "white" physically, but cmon regular ass YT is not who's running the film, music, publishing, porn and other filthy empires. The majority of the powerbrokers and decision makers are Ashkenazi J*ws aka Khazars. It is they who encourage and promote nonsense like casting Zoe saldana as Nina Simone.
the public is angry about this, but where is the anger from black hollywood? i's amazing how not one black actress or singer has said anything on this matter. it's like when mj calldd out the music industry for being racist and stealing our culture, he was alone in his fight, but whn he died, it was m made it possible for me to be a singer. we need real soldiers.nina would be flipping out over the silence of bw in hollywood
Black men will not protest this, when black men magazine selected a miss black men magazine in a contest, they selected a white woman to rep them, not a peep out of bm, they thought she was hawt, what if essence selected a Mr. Essence, and he was white. Bm desire women like zoe, they will support but to all u beautiful bw, u have the most buying power in the aa community, this equals power, shut this bullshit down. The aa power base was used to elect Obama and to shut down kkk member David duke when he ran in nola. Shut this down and make Hollywood take us seriously.
@12:34
Why does it matter that the white people in charge might be Jewish? What difference does it make?
Anyway, most of the Jews who created Hollywood worked so hard to scrub their religion and culture from their lives that they married non-Jewish women and sent their children to Catholic and other Christian schools. Most of their kids grew up not even knowing their fathers were Jews, so they became rich Hollywood adults perpetuating the American Myth of the "white Christian heroes", not knowing that it was indeed a myth.
i THOUGHT Viola Davis starred in The Help, and won an oscar, and was featured in law Abiding Citizen, both box office HITS... just as I thought Zoe, who is so flat as a thespian, starred in Columbiana which tanked badly at the box office?.... numbers hmm, wonder what the r-e-a-l reason is?
12:34 and others point out how important Nina's appearance was to her struggle, and they are precisely on point. Actually, I love her look, and her courage and pride in owning it. To anyone who understands what is to be portrayed by the actor, it's clear that Zoe is not a good choice.
The irony of the choice of Zoe is that she will have to wear a weave or wig that is made of naturally kinky black hair! She might not like that! I hope they included the hair in the screen tests! That's hilarious!
To the studio: contact Chris Rock - he has a BIG supply of hair and will give you a good price!
Zoe is not the person for this role. Yes, she's black but like someone pointed out, she's not the same type of black as Nina.
Folks need to stop waiting for Hollywood to validate black beauty. They have told us time and time again that we are not marketable, not beautiful and therefore do not make money. We have to produce and market our own movies, biopics and stories about our heroes and legends. Stop allowing Hollywood to make a mockery of our stories. Why didn't Will and Jada throw their time and money behind this project instead of making a documentary of 'watch the Throne?' hmmm..it's all about the money folks, history and ethics be damned.
@1st 12:34 "I've always envisioned a day when all American black people could just find their own land (like the Jews")
Don't even go there. I guess you missed the boat to Liberia?
Blacks have proven that they can't rule themselves without corruption and murder. Sorry,, but show me otherwise.
The folly behind all of this is that White ppl are highly unlikely to see the film, regardless. So it would behoove the producers to cast the woman who not only has closer physicality to Nina but who will also embody the spirit and essence of Nina as she truly was. Thus leaving a lasting gem and accurate portrayal much like Denzel did for Malcolm...
@12:46, Viola was in "The Help" but did not win the Oscar, Octavia did. However, Zoe was in Avatar, which was very successful. So Zoe's complexion and her being in Avatar won over Viola's acting chops and her similarities to Nina Simone. Money talks, bullshit walks.
1. Nina Simone was a black jazz musician and a Civil Rights crusader who moved out of the country to escape the racism here. She always spoke her mind, and never sugarcoated anything.
2. Zoe Saldana is a "blatina" movie star who has recently said that black actresses need to stop being lazy and stop complaining about not being able to find good roles. Apparently, all these established black actresses who have been working since she was in diapers don't know how to network and showcase their skills as well as Zoe does. And also, because there is no more racism in Hollywood or America.
3. This movie will be a guaranteed flop with Zoe, because any people checking for Zoe will not be interested in a film about Nina Simone, and anyone interested in a Nina Simone biopic are not checking for Zoe.
4. There is a long list of actresses/singers who would have been more appropriate for this role. As many have already said, Viola Davis has the acting chops, and box office appeal.
5. Adepero Oduye from "Pariah" would be perfect for this role, if Viola Davis was too expensive.
6. A Nina Simone biopic is supposed to be an Oscar vehicle.
7. They should be writing the script and producing the film with awards season in mind, and THEN bank on getting box office returns after generating Oscar buzz. They won't be getting any of that with Zoe Saldana starring in it.
8. Black folk ALSO need to be complaining about all these black Brits getting American roles. David Oyelowo is the hardest working black man in Hollywood these days aside from Idris Elba, and they are both British.
9. It's obvious this was not going to be a "serious" project in the first place, since the original choice to play Nina was Mary J. Blige.
10. Maybe we shouldn't be complaining... at least they didn't give the role to Tyler Perry.
Blacks have proven that they can't rule themselves without corruption and murder. Sorry,, but show me otherwise.
1:07 PM
___
What a stupid thing for you to say. How do you think this country came into existence? Do you keep up with ANY world news on the struggles of any number of countries, past AND present? Corruption and greed exist everywhere. God help you; your ignorance is beyond belief.
The Nina Simone story ain't breaking any box office records unless Madea plays her. They should go with the better actress (Davis) and target the marketing for a sleeper hit. Columbiana (which was dead in Saldana's wheelhouse) was a FLOP and a half. On the other hand, Davis was the strongest part of "The Help" which did MUCH better. Sometimes these execs KILL me. #teamviola. Lauryn would probably be good too, but she's too crazy to risk anchoring a movie at this point.
The Nina Simone story ain't breaking any box office records unless Madea plays her. They should go with the better actress (Davis) and target the marketing for a sleeper hit. Columbiana (which was dead in Saldana's wheelhouse) was a FLOP and a half. On the other hand, Davis was the strongest part of "The Help" which did MUCH better. Sometimes these execs KILL me. #teamviola. Lauryn would probably be good too, but she's too crazy to risk anchoring a movie at this point.
Blacks have proven that they can't rule themselves without corruption and murder. Sorry,, but show me otherwise.
1:07 PM
___
It is the people who are BEST at corruption and murder who are able to seize and hold onto power.
@1:26 USA came into existence through slavery, not through black rule. Blacks were subjugated and obeyed the will of white.
Have you been to Liberia, have you been to Detroit or Baltimore? Black run cities riddled with corruption.
Granted there are problems worldwide, but the POINT is that blacks are unable to rule themselves with civility as a collective.
You'd have to go back to Ancient Egypt or Kush Kingdom to actually find blacks that were capable of governing themselves successfully.
Clearly, the ignorant one is you. The truth hurts? Sorry.
Jimmy Iovine
(310) 865-4590
Assistant Cary Jones/Ryan Stockwell
Call and address the issue.
Zoe is a lovely young lady and a compelling actress.
However, she CANNOT be used to adequately tell Nina Simone's story.
NS's physical appearance and society's reaction to it had a HUGE part in her art and her path in life. She was a child prodigy who trained all of her early and some of her adult life in order to become a classical concert pianist, only to be told that she was too Black and ugly to do so. She was denied certain opportunities not on race, but because of HOW SHE LOOKED. And that also had a HUGE part in her song writing and the songs that she did not write, yet interpreted.
Simone's experiences enabled her to dig deep within her soul in order to create something beautiful from the ugliness of SOUL that was deeply rooted of human beings, both Black and White. And from the snipets of joy that she could find in spite of that ugliness.
This is what made her Nina Simone, the consumate song writer, song interpreter, and story teller. This is what gave her the ability to tell the people who paid to money to see her perform that most of them could not even comprehend what she was saying to them in song because they lacked depth and soul.
Had NS been born "beautiful", she would not have been the same artist because it was her struggles that helped to lead her down her path of genious.
Only a woman who has known at least a taste of that kind of pain can truly understand, interpret and channel that emotion.
How anyone conceive of casting ZS after seeing this clips of Nina Simone and listen to her music is beyond MY comprehension.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3oa-X9EN_U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T3FXFnoTzE
^^^
How anyone COULD conceive of casting ZS after seeing this...
Where are the black screen writers and movie makers? Why the help have we as a people sit back and allowed joos to take over lives to the point where we look to them to portray our life histories and experiences. If black folks allow this to happen then dont complain 100 years down the line that they stole our history.
^hell not help
@ 1:07 Very, very astute observation. A rebuttal that I expected from a learned source (kudos to you). However, Liberia was formed of freed slaves (and was in no way a request of blacks). Most of which were very under educated. This was pretty much the equivalent of saying "Okay black man, thank you for helping build this great nation, now quietly leave the USA please..." you probably still believe Abe Lincoln freed the slaves and loved black people.
History has taught us that a nation formed of a formerly oppressed populace is bound to be at war and exhibit corruption during infancy (Korea, Argentina, Taiwan and even your very own United States - none of which are black countries).
Secondly, show me a developed white-man's country that wasn't built on corruption and murder and I'll show you a bridge for sale in my backyard.
Your comment about "black people not being able to rule themselves..." came off as a bit racist. Before good ole whitey left for Africa to "show us the way" some of the largest and oldest empires had been forged and ruled for close to a thousand years: Mali, Rhodesia, Kush, Nubia, Thebes etc... and were very rich in gold and resources.
Back on topic: Personally I think it's a slap in the face to have a mixed race or Latin person play the role of a hugely influential black person. I just don't see it as being fair.
won't get into the debate of Zoe's talent or lack there of. However, we all must realize that because a person is a particular hue does not mean they are not what we have misnomered as "black" We are the progenitors of humanity.We come in all colors of the spectrum. Just because one maybe really fair does not mean she has more so-called white in her.Case in point I have 3 sons all with 3 different complexions all with the same mother and father. So can anyone tell me the fairest son has more Caucasian in him .People wake up your oppressors have brainwashed you into thinking "Latinos" or east Indians etc are not "black" Hey look it all up just do not use White mans distorted verification.
@1:38 Oh good grief. Of course this country didn't come into existence through "black" rule. My point was about a country that came into existence aided by corruption and violence. And I was thinking pre-slavery. Never mind.
@ 1:50AM- co-sign- Co-sign, CO-SIGN!!!!!!
There is a reason as to why true black beauty get= to powerful and engulfing.
BOYCOTT THESE SHKITS!!! The same way I hope you boycotted that I hope you boycotted that lame ass Abe Lincoln as a vamp with Harriett Tubman being played by a bi-racial actress???...GTFOHWTBS.
@ 2:06 You really don't want to argue with @1:38. They're either white or a brainwashed black man...
@2:28 thanks, you're right. no point in taking that any further.
Let Kimberly Elise do it.
Another case of Hollywood white washing...If ya gonna cast Zoe-I ain't-gonna-do-no-movies-where-I-have-to-be-a-black-man's-love-interest Saldana, then why not get Beyonce to play this part? At least she has experience singing too and she is no stranger to the wig! (she's gonna need an Afro wig)
@1:20 Nice post. Speaking of the British actor David Oyeloho, he will play Nina's manager.
The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Mary J. Blige "came onto the project as star then moved on due to funding issues." What "funding issues," I wonder.
^David Oyelowo
@1:34 You got that right!!! And let me add that, everyone in a position of power isn't necessarily a leader!! See how they (White Bush)have fuxed up a perfectly good country and blame and expect us (Black Obama) to straighten it out!!! That's how it's always been!!! They fux it up and we fix it! LOL!
@ 2:04 Hmmm if you're a man: are you sure all them sons are yours?
If you're a woman: You sure you ain't cheat and put it on the baby daddy with the most gwop?
Sounds like someone is hitting the Maury show soon...
omg she recorded about 50 albums!
which one should i buy? please help!
@1:11
Zoe was "in" Avatar but that was CGI. If you asked the average viewer of the movie they probably couldn't tell you she was in it.
Only real block buster she can speak of where she was recognizable is Star Trek. The movie where she was a lead tanked. Colombiana made 36 Mill. The help made over 169 Mill. So if you want to go by leads then Viola would be in a better position than Zoe.
@3:01
I would suggest this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-The-Very-Best/dp/B000026LUP/ref=pd_sim_m_3
It has most of her best songs.
To give you an idea of her music here is one of my favorites. Mississippi Goddamn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkcuNX4vrS8
Another fave is "The King of Love is Dead" a song she wrote with her drummer right after MLK died.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw19UkE5t6U
I think Zoe is trying to get her serious acting portfolio together and probably agreed for that reason. Viola is always been a serious actor and seems to pick better projects than Zoe in general. I wouldn't be surprised if Viola saw the fuckery going on from a mile away and decided not to be involved. If you can imagine being a serious Oscar nominated actor and someone comes to you and says, "We had this role for Mary J Blige but she backed out so now we want you." that would almost be an insult. I would question the production and directors taste and view if they picked MJB before considering a more serious actor. While I think Zoe is a bad choice we have to realize it's very possible that Viola didn't want to be a part of it after finding out how messed up everything was.
All of this Buzz right now is to get more backers and funders for the movie. Zoe may not even do the movie once everything is formalized and done before shooting.
Tracy Chapman would be good pick, too.
I smell Troll all in this muthafugga..peace..
damn that jew troll is back? shouldn't he/she/it be in Israel?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96jRnBYymU&feature=related
Nina was a boss.
@1:57 "Her girl sit down!" LOL!!
@3:56
Who is a troll?
@3:12 Thanks! I just watched Mississippi Goddamn and it was amazing...
Jesse Martin as Marvin Gaye? I love it!!!
Hell no to Zoe's boney ass playing Nina! I will not support this bullshit in any way shape or form. Give the role to Viola or Lauryn Hill. Otherwise don't bother to do it at all.
problem isn't just Zoe being cast. You have a white woman director, Cynthia Mort, who no matter how passionate she professes to be about this project, will still lack a specific vision, understanding, and sensitivity to direct about such a great and political figure that a black woman director would have.. Nevertheless, I sense that this movie, if it ever takes off, will crash and burn either at the box office or DVD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3OIfuVpocU
Young Gifted and Black another great song by Nina.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf9Bj1CXPH8
Nina Simone: Four Women
...Might as well give it to Jill Scott.
@3:06 Good point regarding the earnings. The Help did really well ($211 million-IMDB) and was critically acclaimed. But that was a movie about maids in a backdrop of the civil rights movement. With good actors, movies such as The Help and Driving Miss Daisy do well. The upcoming movie called The Butler, about a White House butler, will also probably do well.
But this will be a movie ABOUT a black activist, and I wonder if that changes anything.
@4:32
Right and this movie will be set mainly in Nina's greatest period which was in the 60s so it would be in their best interest to hire a good actor that would best convey that.
I wouldn't be surprised if this project gets stuck in a holding pattern and takes another 10 years be made. I don't think the producers know heads from tails at this point.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upVUIuAQqRw
Sinnerman
Probably Nina's most popular song. You should recognize it from tons of movies and song samples.
ZOE is not black, and India Arie is.......so their!
Black actresses are quiet on this issue, and it's about them,little black girls who look like nina simmone, african beauty. so as long as black actresses/singer keep quiet, why should hollywood care? excited about the help but nina simmone life, noone is speaking up. sad. look at eddie murphy, when people wanted him to play james brown, he said no, and made it known that wesley snipes would be a better fit. zoe saldano should say the same thing.
@1:42, 3:12, 4:09, 4:26, 4:30, 4:45 Thank you for these links. You have enriched my life today.
Viola is a dead ringer and would do a bang up job.
@5:35 PM, you are welcome. But I got more than I gave today.
Simone was such a prolific recording artist (someone else here mentioned 50 albums), that I went to the clips listed by others and found that I had not heard them before today.
I can never listen to Nina's version of "Don't Let Me Misunderstood" without falling into tears. No one else's version has that effect on me.
"According to insiders the choice came down between Zoe Saldana and Oscar winning actress Viola Davis and Zoe was chosen by the producer based on box office numbers" ... stupid reason ... if the producers want the movie to somewhat "authentic", Zoe WOULD NOT have been in the discussion ... how about India.Arie, Anika Noni Rose, Kimberly Elise, Angela Bassett, maybe even Queen Latifah ... I would say Jennifer Hudson, but her "acting" doesn't do it for me.
@5:35
You're welcome. I'm a huge fan of great music and whenever I can share with someone who's interested I'm there to help.
I DON'T GIVE A FUNK WHO ZOE IS BUT SHE IS NOT
NINA SIMONE!!! THATS A LAURYN HILL ROLE ALL DAY!!!
SAME TALENT, SAME ATTITUDE, ALMOST THE SAME VOICE
LAURYN HILL WAKE UP AND JUMP ON THIS......
WHERE ON FACE BOOK CAN WE PROTEST THIS BULL SHIT?
ZOE SALDANA AS NINA SIMONE IS A DAM SHAME!!!!
DIRTY RACIST HOLLYWOOD IS AT IT AGAIN!!!
LAURYN HILL OR VIOLA DAVIS AS NINA SIMONE.
WHATS THE DAM PROBLEM HOLLYWOOD???
^Let's face it: Hollywood is not interested in who we really are. They find their own view of us much more interesting and appealing.
Public Enemy - Burn Hollywood Burn
Public Enemy - Burn Hollywood Burn
Public Enemy - Burn Hollywood Burn
This film will be going straight to dvd. If Zoe is in it I will not be watching it.
KUDOS @ 1:40PM WHITE AMERICA MEDFIA STAY TRYING TO MAKE US LESS THAN WHEN THE TRUTH IS WE ARE MUCH MORE THAN - WE ARE THE BEST - KNOW IT
CHOCOLATESHINE
Gabby Douglas = Young Nina Simone
Public Enemy - Burn Hollywood Burn !!!!!
RACIST HOLLYWOOD!!!! BURN BURN BURN!!!!
Nina Simone's family is saying that they did not authorize this project.
http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/nina-simones-daughter-finally-speaks-project-is-unauthorized
Hollywood doesn't give a shit how black people feel about this biopic. Nina Simone has enough non-black fans to render it a success without your support, at least that's how they look at it. Plus many blacks will still get in line to see it. Zoe fucked all the right people and she'll continue to get all the black roles. She'll be latina when it's convenient and carry the black power sign whenever she needs that too. She's a double agent. I don't like her and that columbiana shit was a joke. Her as nina simone is a travesty, but she has the complexion for the connection.
White people who are into Nina Simone and who are familiar with her music will be asking the same questions black people have been asking:
"Why couldn't they get that woman from The Help to play Nina? She's a MUCH better actress."
Viola got her first Oscar nom for her role in "Doubt". She only spent a total of 12 minutes on the screen, but she OUTSHINED everyone else in the film.
That is who you want to play a dynamic person like Nina Simone.
EVEN IF HOLLYWOOD DECIDES TO DO IT RIGHT..HOLLYWOOD HAS ERASED DARK SKIN BLACK FEMALES FROM FILM AND TV WITH A LOT OF HELP FROM HOUSE NEGRO'S...YES! VIOLA DAVIS OR LAURYN HILL COULD AND SHOULD PLAY HER PRESENT. BUT WHO WOULD PLAY YOUNG NINA SIMONE???
How about Camille Winbush as a young Nina Simone? Thats the pretty chocalate girl from the Bernie Mac show.
Camille Winbush would be perfect as young Nina. She is gorgeous too.
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