Aretha Franklin Isn’t Happy Zoe Saldana Nabbed Nina Simone Role

By: Taren Vaughan

Zoe Saldana‘s talent is recognized with the roles that she has taken on. And though no one denies Zoe’s acting abilities, the actress got hit with a massive amount of backlash over her taking on the role as Nina Simone in the legendary singer’s biopic, the biggest argument being that Zoe didn’t not resemble Nina enough to play her in a movie. Zoe Saldana responded to the backlash that she received on numerous occasions and has continued to be very positive despite the controversy that her part in the biopic has caused. Another music legend in her own right, Singer Aretha Franklin weighed in on Zoe playing Nina Simone in the singer’s biopic and Aretha admits that she would have liked to see someone who was more like Nina take on the role:

“I did know Nina and I would have liked to see someone with a little more of a likeness and who hopefully played the piano. But I don’t know Ms Saldana’s work and Hollywood can do a lot of things in terms of changing your features and all of that.”

Aretha also revealed that she has her own biopic on the way:

“I just try to come up with the names I feel are going to best present this, who are the people that will best present my biopic and what I have in mind.

“Mr (Clive) Davis has gotten in the group and Suzanne de Passe, who co-wrote Lady Sings the Blues. Taylor Hackford, who did … Ray … and the William Morris agent and myself. Those are the principals that will be meeting this weekend.”

Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson and Tony award winning actress Audra McDonald are the two ladies said to be in the running to take on the role as Aretha Franklin in the biopic.