Nina Simone Portrayal

I truly don't understand all this "controversy" and "conspiracy-theory" behind Zoe Saldana playing Nina Simone. I agree there are other more visually qualified individuals that could have portrayed her, but I've been reading some down-right ignorant/rude remarks which I don't agree with as it pertains to this actress that got cast! Sure casting directors could probably find an actor that looks identical to Nina Simone, but who really cares. Her story matters not the shade or skin tone of the actress that plays the part. John Travolta just had to play a Jewish Robert Shapiro. Guess what?! Travolta doesn't have tanned skin nor does he have bushy defined eye brows...oh and you know what? He also isn't as short as Shapiro but so what he commanded the portrayal of that man and did an awesome job! Meryl Streep (one of my favorite actresses) played in the Iron Lady yet still looked just as she did while portraying Julia Childs! Idris Elba looks absolutely nothing like Nelson Mandela. Heck Eddie Murphy plays a range of 70 year old white men to plus-size women! It's called "acting"! That's why there's wardrobe specialists and hair and make up stylists. They get paid money to...dare I say...create looks, images, and personas! 

Focus on something that REALLY matters...like did you vote? Are you financially empowered? Why would media outlets spend any time debating something so trivial as the amount of makeup Zoe wears to portray her new set character? Did they forget she did complete the project avatar!?! This was a project that she became a 10 foot tall blue "alien". Did they forget they have such things as auditions and screen tests? Prosthetic parts are relevant as it pertains to film and stage. Did anyone realize Nina Simone does have a family of advocates to determine how they want her legacy to continue? If you just need something to complain about with Hollywood, I could come up with a few. But the game is box office sales and not your kitchen table talk about the ignorant light skin-dark skin debate.

Blessings and continued success to Zoe! Silence ignorance and trivial pursuits, everyone! 

Love and light to the family of Nina Simone! 

They're just trying to tell her story!

With the right lighting and makeup you can look like anyone!