Issa Rae to play Nina Simone in film
theGRIO REPORT - An unconventional biopic of Lorraine Hansberry, who wrote the play A Raisin in the Sun, is in the pre-production stage and is slated to begin production in early fall...
Filmmakers stand by casting Saldana as Simone
theGRIO REPORT - Mort acknowledges critics with sensitivity, but explains that her story of Simone is not meant to be a 'strict biopic' or depiction of the singer’s activism...
Zoe Saldana, Nina Simone and the erasure of black women in film
OPINION - In Zoe Saldana's recent 'Allure' interview, the Afro-Latina female actor has once again stated that she is unconcerned with any backlash she receives for playing legendary singer and activist Nina Simone...
Zoe Saldana: 'I do believe in androgyny'
theGRIO REPORT - During an interview with theGrio, Zoe Saldana talks about her role in 'Star Trek Into Darkness' and also weighs in on the criticism she received after being cast in 'Nina'...
Lynn Whitfield weighs in on Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone
VIDEO - During part 1 of her interview with theGrio, 'King's Faith' actress Lynn Whitfield opened up about her new film, and weighed in on Zoe Saldana playing Nina Simone in a biopic...
Zoe Saldana on Nina Simone backlash
theGRIO REPORT - Zoe Saldana has finally responded to critics who have been fuming since it was announced that the Avatar star would be replacing Mary J. Blige in the upcoming Nina Simone biopic...
Zoe Saldana pics as Nina Simone spark new discussions of biopic
OPINION - Dark makeup, a wooly afro wig and what appears to be a dental implant have sparked new discussions of the coming biopic about the icon...
Mike Epps to star as Richard Pryor in Nina Simone biopic
theGRIO REPORT - Comedian Mike Epps will take on the role Richard Pryor in the upcoming Nina Simone biopic, 'Nina,' starring Zoe Saldana...
Jill Scott: Zoe Saldana can play Nina Simone with 'a prosthetic nose'
OPINION - In a recent interview, Jill Scott supported the idea that Saldana should play Nina Simone based on her proven acting abilities alone -- but with a fake nose and darker make-up that make her look more like the iconic singer...
Is calling Zoe Saldana 'too light' to play Nina Simone colorism?
OPINION - Just because Saldana is not in the latest Tyler Perry movie, or tends to have white men as love interests in the movies she’s appeared in, doesn’t make her any less black than the next black actress...
