All Articles Tagged "Zoe Saldana"
Don’t Knock It Until You See It: Celebs Who Were Side-Eyed For Biopics Because They Didn’t “Look” The Part
Before Zoe Saldana signed on to play Nina Simone, or Idris Elba said he would try his hand at doing Nelson Mandela, or even before there was any kind of talk of Lenny Kravitz playing Marvin Gaye (which he eventually changed his mind about), actors were getting major side-eyes from movie fans and critics alike for trying to portray certain people on-screen. It’s always going to be something, and it has always been something for people to complain about: She’s too light, she’s not the same culture as that person, he’s not light enough, he’s not cool enough. People are often shut down by folks before there’s a trailer, a scene–anything to judge by. But as these actors went on to prove (some didn’t though), talent can trump a lot of that criticism. Here are nine people who initially were counted out from their biopic roles but ended up either killing it, or embarrassing themselves.
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Angela Bassett as Tina Turner, Anthony Mackie as Tupac, backlash for biopics, Beyonce as Etta James, biopics, Denzel Washington as Malcolm X, Don Cheadle as Sammy Davis Jr, Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford, Idris Elba, JLo as Selena, Naturi Naughton as Lil Kim, Nelson Mandela, nina simone, Zoe SaldanaZoe Saldana Talks About Being Tired Of Discussing Her Ethnicity, The Nina Simone Backlash And Bisexuality
WENN
Zoe’s name has been a little bit of everywhere this week. If it’s not for appearing undressed on the cover of Allure, having her 115-pound weight exposed to the world, it’s for claiming she might settle down with a woman later in life. Has she really said anything about Star Trek 2 Into Darkness yet?
Anywho, while being interviewed by BET.com, the actress discussed why she’s so uncomfortable with people always asking about her ethnicity, why she doesn’t appreciate people trying to categorize her, and why she can understand the Nina Simone backlash, but why it also hurt her. Here are the tidbits that had us talking:
Why she’s sick and tired of talking about her ethnicity and race:
“I find it uncomfortable to have to speak about my identity all of the time, when in reality it’s not something that drives me or wakes me up out of bed every day. I didn’t grow up in a household where I was categorized by my mother. I was just Zoe and I could have and be anything that I ever wanted to do…and every human being is the same as you. So to all of a sudden leave your household and have people always ask you, “What are you? What are you?” is the most uncomfortable question sometimes and it’s literally the most repetitive question. Because I can’t wait to be in a world where people are sized by their soul and how much they can contribute as individuals and not what they look like.
…I feel like as a race, that’s a minute problem against the problems we face just as women versus men, in a world that’s more geared and designed to cater towards the male species.”
On the rumors that she is bisexual after her statements in Allure:
“It’s again, I’m telling you, the saddest situation. I encourage every human being to spend one hour a day without categorizing and stereotyping anything, or using any titles. It is almost impossible for us to get through one cache without having to go, ‘Is she Mexican? Is she gay? What kind of car does she drive?’ Our lives are going to slip and we are never going to grow and realize that it’s so much more beauty in this earth and so many more things that are important besides stereotyping ourselves and limiting ourselves just by putting ourselves in little boxes.
That said, I’m an artist and if I was to limit myself as an artist and go, ‘As a an artist, I can only like feminine art because I’m a woman,’ I’d be the stupidest person on earth and I wouldn’t be an artist at all. If I look at beauty, I’m going to love and admire beauty no matter if it comes in the form of a masculine essence or a feminine essence. Beauty is beauty. So, up until now, I’ve known my life to be with men, I’ve been attracted to the male species, but if one day I wake up and I want to be with a woman, I’m going to do that. And I know I am going to be supported by the creatures that have raised me and love me and know me.”
And of course, her thoughts on people being very vocal about their disdain for the lengths she was going to in order to play Nina Simone:
“All I can say is, though it did sting for a bit, that a community that you feel most identified with, would have such a negative backlash and you are at the epicenter of it all, it was very disappointing. But at the same time too, it is understandable. All I can say is the people that came together to do Nina, came together out of love for Nina and that will never be wrong, and I will always stand behind that.”
Good points. Check out the full interview and series of videos from her sit-down where she looked visibly uncomfortable over at BET.com.
‘Androgynous’ Zoe Saldana Says She Might End Up Raising Children With A Woman
Zoe Saldana has snagged yet another magazine cover this Spring, but we guarantee her spread in Allure magazine is like no other. As as you can see from the pic above, miss Zaldana is baring it all — physically and emotionally for the glossy’s June issue.
We’ve heard quite a bit from the “Star Trek” star on her love life and how she feels about men lately — in the June issue of In Style she boldly proclaims, “I worship men. Men are Adonises” – but it appears women hold a special place in her heart as well, as she casually explained to Allure for next month’s issue:
“[I might] end up with a woman, raising my children….That’s how androgynous I am.”
Huh?
The androgyny comment isn’t really the surprise here as Zoe has often referred to herself as a “natural tomboy,” but how that translates into raising children with a woman we’re not quite sure. Being characteristically male and female and being homosexual or bisexual are two different things so I’m not sure if we should consider this Zoe’s mild coming out or assume ol’ girl is just tired of saying the same thing on the press circuit and decided to throw something out there just to get folks (like us) talking. Either way, one thing we can be sure of is if Zoe does decide to settle down with a woman, it won’t be an actress. When the magazine asked her if she’s done dating actors, she replied:
“Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.”
Guess that means she and Bradley won’t be reuniting.
Aretha Franklin Weighs In On Nina Simone Biopic Controversy: ‘I Would’ve Liked To See Someone With A Little More Of A Likeness’
Source(s): The YBF, WENN
There has been an overwhelming amount of controversy surrounding the forthcoming Nina Simone biopic. Although many have admitted that they’d like to be happy about a movie celebrating the “High Priestess of Soul,” it has been expressed that the thought of Zoe Saldana, who looks nothing like Simone, playing the late songstress in the biographical project is a little disturbing. Especially when there are so many other qualified actresses and singers who look more like Nina and could probably nail the role. During a recent interview with the AP, Aretha Franklin, who knew Nina personally, weighed in on the debate.
“I did know Nina and I would have liked to see someone with a little more of a likeness and 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 expressed.
The “Queen of Soul” also addressed concerns she has about the casting in her own forthcoming biopic.
“The question where Audra is concerned is whether or not Audra can get into soul. That would be the question because she has the voice, she has a beautiful instrument. I just wonder how far she can get over into soul.”
“Jennifer would come up with some good things.”
Nine Films to Watch This Upcoming Summer Season
Anthony Mackie, The Rock, and Mark Wahlberg in “Pain & Gain,” which is already doing well at the box office.
May has arrived and you know what that means: summer is almost here! Once Memorial Day weekend hits, the start to family barbeques and trips to the beach with friends and lovers has arrived. If you’re like me, you are also gearing up for the summer blockbuster season of 2013. With an array of movies to choose from this summer season, here is a list of my top nine films that call for your undivided attention, featuring some of the most celebrated Black actors and actresses and those to watch.
‘I Worship Men. Men are Adonises:’ Zoe Saldana Gets Feisty For June Issue Of ‘InStyle UK’ And Blasts Hollywood Execs
Star Trek Into Darkness actress Zoe Saldana’s life has become quite the open book lately. Instead of taking the typical Hollywood route, offering only politically correct answers during interviews, the 34-year-old bombshell has been unapologetically speaking her mind and we’ve got to admit that we love it! The Avatar actress appears on the cover of InStyle UK for the month of June rocking a chic little number, but don’t allow the dress to fool you. Homegirl pulls no punches in her interview. Check out some of what she had to say.
On Hollywood’s double standard regarding women and aging:
“I’ve been told by producers, ’Well, you know we need to get on this because you’re not getting any younger…’ Women are reminded of their age all the time and it’s usually by a fricking fat, big-bellied old man with a comb-over and you look at him and you’re like, ‘Really? Give me a break. You just have more money and more power in this situation than I do, but not in my life.’”
On the male species:
“I worship men. Men are Adonises.”
On her dream guy:
“A badass renegade! A pirate! A pirate who can cry. Oh my god!”
On being broken-hearted after her split with Keith Britton and never giving up on love:
“When it didn’t work [with Britton] it was heartbreaking for the both of us, but it’s life.”
“I believe in love because I had it for so long, so I know it’s possible. I’m not one of these people who’s going, “Oh, because I was with someone for so long I need to take a break.” What if love is just around the corner?’”
On the realities of dating younger:
“I’m tired of watching these 50-year-old actors with these 23-year-old actresses and they’re soulmates in the movie. What? [In real life] a 23-year-old would look at a 50-year-old and go, ‘Are you kidding me?!’ We love plump muscles as much as they do. A 23-year-old boy?’”
Two snaps up!
Hit the switch for more flicks from Zoe’s fly photo shoot. What do you think of the comments made during her interview?
Break Up To Make Up! Celeb Couples Who Always Find Their Way Back To Their Sweet Things!
Brian To/WENN.com
You know, sometimes we have the one that we just don’t want to get away. Maybe we think they’re our “true love” or maybe it’s the “blinding” sex but we’ve got to keep that “one” around. Celebrities are no different and they want to keep that “ol’ thang” around them. Check out some celebs who go back and forth to their flames. What other celebs keep breaking up and making up?
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Chris Brown, fabolous, joe budden, kobe, lhhny, Nene, pink, puffy, relationships, RHOA, Zoe Saldana‘I Don’t Want To Need Things… I Don’t Need Anybody:’ Zoe Saldana Tells ‘Latina’ A Man Is Not A Necessity
Colombiana actress Zoe Saldana looks stunningly fabulous on the May 2013 cover of Latina Magazine. Her brightly colored, bold ensemble seems quite fitting for the occasion, as Ms. Saldana comes off rather audacious and a tad bit feisty in her interview. The 34-year-old Star Trek Into Darkness star touched on everything from her alleged mental breakdown to the reoccurring discussion of why she should not have been cast to play Nina Simone in the forthcoming biopic. Peep some of what she had to say below.
On her mental meltdown following filming for Avatar:
“That was completely blown out of proportion. That was so exaggerated and so ridiculous. It’s no different than what a child does after you’ve had a birthday party for a child. The child has been so stimulated by everybody, in every direction, consistently, you feel depleted. You use so much serotonin that you feel, not empty, but you feel a little tired and depleted and you have to fill your well of energy and of happiness and you have to pay attention to you. That downtime was very welcoming and very beautiful, but it wasn’t like I got f****** depressed and I just wouldn’t get out of bed. That has never happened to me! I hate when you say something and then it’s like, ay dios mio…”
On whether or not she was affected by the Nina Simone Controversy:
“Yes, of course. I’m not made of metal. Things will resonate in you and they will move you whether good or bad, but you can’t let that define who you are and you can’t let that dictate the path that you’re going to take in your life. The reality is that nobody knows the story as to why this collaboration came to be—nobody knows the full story—and at the end of the day all I’m going to say is that every person that is a part of this project came together for no other reason than the unconditional love for Nina Simone’s music, her persona, her life, what she did, what she left for us, what her music still continues to do not only to women, but to Americans, and African Americans, and also people of color, just everything. On all spectrums, Nina Simone’s story is worth telling and with the members that it came to be, like it’s just…you have to give it a chance…Watch it and then make up your mind. I’m happy that we all held together and we went for it. No regrets.”
On growing up “color-blind:”
“I grew up in Queens and the Dominican Republic. It wasn’t easy, s*** was going on. But the kind of world that we had indoors, that my mom created for us, makes more sense to this day than what is out there. I would come home from school and go, ‘Mami, what am I? You know, cause I’m getting all kinds of things and people are mean.’ And Mami would look at me and go, ‘You’re Zoe.’ And I’d go, ‘I know, Mami, but what am I?’ and she would look at me and say, ‘You’re my daughter, your grandma’s granddaughter, you’re Zoe.’ My mom wouldn’t go, ‘tu eres una mujer de color [you are a woman of color] and always remember it, this world is going to be rough.’ My mom never f****** told us that, why would she? Why would she stop my flight before I even take off?”
On not needing a man:
“I don’t want to need things. I need water, you know what I’m saying? I need to exercise, I need to eat. To be with a man, should be a want. I don’t need anybody. And the people that I do need are just family, tu entiendes [you understand]? But a man is something that I want, I want be with a partner, because this partner is going to add or I’m going to add to this partner.”
Turn the page for more fabulous flicks from Zoe’s colorful photoshoot.
Captain Save-A-Civilian: Celebs Who Turned Into Real-Life Heroes
Playing a character who rushes in to save the day on the big screen is one thing, but these 15 celebrities became real-life heroes by leaping forward to save the lives of ordinary people.
WENN
Rapper T.I. has been on a mission to rehabilitate his image since he was released from prison after those gun possession charges, and having “hero” on his resume certainly helps. While on his way to an Atlanta radio station for an interview, the reality show star heard a news report about someone at a 22-story building ready to jump. T.I. recorded a video of himself pleading with the man to come and talk to him. The police played the video to the distressed man who agreed to come down and T.I. and the unidentified man shared a brief conversation before the cops took him to the hospital to be treated for depression.
Zoe Saldana Isn’t Allowing Your Opinions About The Nina Simone Biopic To Deter Her, Says She’s Doing It For Her ‘People’
Source: WENN
Actress Zoe Saldana has been forced to bear the brunt of much criticism since it was announced that she was the actress selected to play iconic singer Nina Simone in the long-awaited motion picture about her life. Fans and celebrities alike have publicly voiced their disapproval of Zoe assuming the role of the singer, especially when photos of the actress on the movie set, all dressed up (and painted up) in her Nina costume surfaced.
“So today I saw the images of Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone… and I think they are ridiculous! Yes there should be a movie made, and YES they should have chosen someone who LOOKS like Nina Simone, ESPECIALLY since her RACE played such a PIVOTAL role in WHO, WHAT and WHY, she was. THAT ASIDE for a second, this just looks WEIRD, it looks like a person in Black(er) face with a fake nose … REALLY?!!!! DOES NOT THE ONE NINA SIMONE’S LEGACY DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS?” singer India Arie expressed.
While public frustration can certainly be understood, Zoe has been hired to play the role of Nina Simone and she still has a job to do, whether we like it or not. Hip Hollywood recently caught up with the actress to discuss the intense level of criticism that she has received for her role in the biopic. Here’s what she had to say:
“The reality is what keeps me focused and what kept me from I guess getting stressed or being hurt by the comments is that I’m doing it for my sisters. I’m doing it for my brothers. I don’t care who tells me that I am not this and I am not that. I know who I am and I know what Nina Simone means to me. So that is my truth and that set me free. You know, I can only rely on that and maintain as much humility as possible so that when I have to face the world and I have to then give the movie to the world to see and share it with them, that if it comes back in a negative fashion or positive, I’m gonna keep my chin up because that’s who I am and that’s who I’ll be and Nina was like that too. So I did it all out of love, out of love for Nina, out of love for my people and who I am and my pride of being Black woman and a Latina woman and an American woman and that’s my truth.”
What are your thoughts on Zoe’s response? Does she make valid points or did she totally miss the reason why people are upset?
You can check out a clip of Zoe’s interview on the next page.
