Saldana Industrial Support
On the other hand, Robert L. Johnson, RLJ Entertainment and BET mogul, strongly supported Saldana’s portrayal. He praised her performance, saying, “Zoe Saldana pays an exceptional and mesmerizing tribute to Nina Simone. She gave her heart and soul to this role and demonstrated her extraordinary talent.”
Although the film was not approved by Simone’s estate, the narrative was intended to provide insight into the life of the multifaceted Nina Simone, who seamlessly juggled her roles as a singer, songwriter and civil rights activist. With 15 Grammy nominations and an indomitable spirit, Simone’s legacy is vast and unmatched.
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The film, released in April 2016, revolves around the complex relationship between Simone and Clifton Henderson, played by the gifted David Oyelowo. Their cinematic journey was fraught with career challenges and Simone’s personal struggles. Defending the casting choices, Johnson quipped, “Quality entertainment should be measured by the sheer force of creativity and commitment that an actor or actress brings to a performance.”
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Endless debate
As the debate continued, Saldana quoted Simone, perhaps hinting at her feelings in the midst of the argument: “I will tell you that for me freedom is no fear… I mean, really, no fear.” While Nina left a mark on audiences, another important film about Simone, the documentary What Happened, Miss Simone?, received acclaim and was even nominated for an Academy Award.