Zoe Saldana Responds to Backlash Over her Role As Nina Simone

Zoe Saldana is not letting the controversy surrounding her role as Nina Simone get her down.

Saldana’s casting had been met with controversy after it was announced that she would be replacing Mary J. Blige who was originally cast for role. Many took issue with the fact that Saldana was not a singer, does not claim to be African American and did not bear any resemblance to Simone.

HipHollywood caught up with the actress at a recent pre-Oscar party where she told us how she dealt with the backlash and why she took the role. ”I guess what kept me from being hurt by the negative comments was that I’m doing it for my sistas and my brothas and I don’t care who tells me I’m not this or I’m not that, I know who I am and I know what Nina Simone means to me.”

Saldana told us she is proud to be a Black and Latina woman and has no regrets about taking the role. ”I did it all out of love for my people and my pride of being a black woman and a Latina woman and an American woman and that’s my truth.”Check out the entire interview below and weigh in if you think people were too harsh on Saldana.