Entertainment
Zoe Saldana’s take on Nina Simone’s 2016 biopic resurfaces on the 21st anniversary of the singer’s death
An try and honor Nina Simone’s legacy on the 21st anniversary of her death has reignited the furore surrounding the controversial biopic starring Zoe Saldana as the late icon earlier this week. The film “Nina” premiered in April 2016, but even before the premiere there have been strong reactions about the actress changing her appearance for the role.
In this role, the “Avatar” standout wore a prosthetic nose that flared her nostrils, an Afro wig and was covered in deep-tinted makeup that mimicked Simone’s mahogany skin.
The “I Put a Spell On You” singer died of natural causes after a battle with cancer on April 21, 2003. She was 70 years old.
Her estate shared a post on X celebrating her life with a surprising portrait of Simone. However, retweets and replies reveal that she is endlessly attached to the cinematic flop from almost a decade ago. “I just got mad again.” he wrote user X, who re-shared the post together with photos of Saldana and Simone.
Another response To read“I still can’t believe they blackfaced her. And what’s worse, she agreed!” A one that rated Saldana based on her acting skills he wrote“I confirm what someone says. Zoe did a great job playing her and I enjoyed the movie. She’s nothing like her, but she got the job done.
I just got mad again. https://t.co/NZBsbS8aOR pic.twitter.com/8JF98EHLxv
— Princess (@themultiplemom) April 21, 2024
According to Hollywood reporterMary J. Blige was originally cast for the role, but financial problems led to her departure from the production. Saldana, who identifies as a Black Latina with Dominican, Puerto Rican and Haitian roots, responded to early outcry from fans of the legendary artist who were unhappy with her participation in the concert.
“I never should have played Nina,” she said during a 2020 interview with Bese. “I should have done everything I could with the advantage I had 10 years ago – which was a different lever, but it was leverage nonetheless – I should have tried everything I could to cast a black woman in a role that was uniquely perfect black woman,” Saldana added.
Four years earlier, nonetheless, she took a distinct position.
“Women’s stories aren’t important enough, especially black women’s stories. I made my choice,” Saldana told Allure. “Do I continue to pass the script around and hope that the “right” black person does it, or do I say, “You know what? Whatever consequences this may bring, my casting is nothing compared to the fact that this story needs to be told.”
Simone’s daughter, Simone Kelly, echoed similar sentiments, speaking out against the film, which was released a yr after the official What Happened to Miss Simone documentary.
“There are many great actresses of color who could better represent my mother and bring her to the screen with the right script, the right team and a sense of wanting to bring the truth of my mother’s journey to the masses,” said Kelly the New York Times 4 years before the film saw the light of day.
Sam Waymon, Nina’s brother, shared scathing comments about the casting when he told the New York Daily News that it was “an insult to our people and their fight and all the things that Nina represented in her music and all the things that she stood for in own life. It takes a lot of courage and audacity to do this.” He said of Saldana’s dark complexion that it is “what we consider blackface.”
Michaela Coel in my opinion looks a lot like her, probably unrelated, but seeing these photos of Nina it reminded me of someone and I just remembered who pic.twitter.com/D9g8JDtRqr
— 🤠Sairam💜 (@CZApolitica) April 22, 2024
Saldana has previously mentioned that her success in films is due in part to her roles in science fiction series such as “Star Trek” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.” She claimed that the characters she chose suspended reality, allowing her to be colorblind as an artist and allowing fans to not care about her ethnicity and skin color.
Elsewhere, reacting to the estate’s well-intentioned posts, many people suggested that “I May Destroy You” actress Michaela Coel should be cast as the “High Priestess of Soul” if ever another attempt to tell her life’s story results in It will be possible. for the big screen.
Entertainment
Gayle King slams Megan Thee Stallion, calling her a ‘slut’ after confessing she lied about her relationship with Tory Lanez
Gayle King is not concerned after hearing Megan Thee Stallion call her a “bitch” within the Prime rapper’s latest documentary “Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words.”
In a latest Instagram video, the “CBS Mornings” host immediately responded, saying, “Hey, I’m sitting here minding my very own business. People contact me and say, “Hey Gayle, Megan Thee Stallion just called you a bitch.”
“I do know you are expecting me, or possibly you’re thinking that I even have something negative to say. I do not. I even have nothing but great, great love and respect for Megan Thee Stallion. I’m at all times rooting for her,” King added, before turning to what she considers more necessary topics, equivalent to the 2024 election next week.
Fans responded to King’s message, defending the “Savage” rapper. Two said, “She didn’t mean it that way,” and “She said the word b—tch out of endearment, but clearly didn’t admit that Meg had lied to her.”
A 3rd fan scolded the 29-year-old for calling King by name: “I’m sorry, no matter what context she said, respect your elders… it was inappropriate and disrespectful.”
In a documentary that aired on Halloween, Megan Thee Stallion gives fans insight into her personal thoughts and feelings following the rapper’s sentencing Tory Lanez. Lanez was found guilty of three felony charges in 2022 following a 2020 shooting incident that left Megan shot within the foot.
After the controversial and widely discussed trial, the “Hot Girl” coach had a one-on-one interview on “CBS Mornings,” during which King asked her if she was intimate with Lanez.
Megan denied it on the time, but almost eight months later, during her testimony in court, she confessed that she and Lanez were close.
At the time, a lot of Lanez’s supporters and Megan’s haters took this confession as ammunition and justification for his or her claims that Megan was falsely accusing Lanez of shooting her too.
In the document, she truthfully explained why she lied to King within the interview. She said, “Fuck yeah. I lied to Gayle King, bitch. First of all, I don’t know if this female dog even wanted to ask me this shit. I thought we were going to talk about this shooting. Why are you asking me about fucking Tory? That’s not what this is about.”
The “Bigger In Texas” artist continued, “Even if I… fucked that nigga once, possibly twice on a drunken night. You kept knocking me out of my fucking mind.
Megan Thee Stallion admits she lied to Gayle King about sleeping with Tory Lanez in her latest documentary. pic.twitter.com/5jimgmR5Gm
— 〽️ (@drizzyys) October 31, 2024
Megan’s second confession is now causing backlash from fans who imagine Tory is, the truth is, innocent. Many people imagine that Megan’s former best friend, Kelsey Nicole – who was present on the time of the shooting – was the actual wrongdoer within the situation and imagine that she was the one who pulled the trigger on Megan.
Prior to the incident, Kelsey was also romantically involved with the Toronto resident, which many imagine sparked an argument between the three of them in a automobile that resulted in Megan being shot in the summertime of 2022.
Lanez is currently serving a 10-year sentence and plans to appeal his case while maintaining his innocence.
One of Lanez’s representatives released a statement to TMZ in response to the video wherein Megan admits to lying. They said: “The fact that Megan lied about her sexual relationship with Tory clearly makes her an unreliable witness. If someone lies to millions of people, how can you trust what they say next time?”
Entertainment
Roy Wood Jr. explains why he left “The Daily Show”
Roy Wood Jr. was on the short list of people that could develop into host of “The Daily Show” after Trevor Noah. Many people guessed or assumed that he would eventually get the job. One day, Wood announced that he was leaving this system. Why? We enter “Masters of the Game”, which is now streaming on theGrio platform.
There is quite a bit to this story, but let me provide you with the shortened version. Every time I hear a few black person voluntarily leaving their job, I feel anxious. Can we actually ensure there will probably be one other one??? Maybe I’m silly, but anxiety should not be logical. But I asked Wood why he left, and his most vital point was this: he needed to be in charge of his future. He was on The Daily Show waiting for them to make a call, and that meant putting his future in other people’s hands. He desired to be the captain of the ship that was his profession.
Wood told me he left his job not knowing what lay ahead. I love the courage he showed. Leaving a job without knowing where you are going takes courage, especially while you’re a parent. I also admire his persistence in controlling his profession. We often rush to do what we were hired to do as a substitute of attempting to create a situation where we do what we would like. Wood has built his skilled life around doing what he wants. Not everyone can do that, but there at the moment are more tools that can help you try. Just take heed to Wood discuss leaving “The Daily Show” and see what you concentrate on yourself and your job. Don’t miss Wood on “Masters of the Game,” now streaming on theGrio.
Entertainment
Jennifer Lopez’s ‘Bad Acting’ Under Fire as Singer Kamala Harris’ Impassioned Speech Provokes Backlash
Jennifer Lopez is getting loud in regards to the politics of the ultimate days of the presidential race. The actress is one in all several Puerto Rican artists who’ve expressed support for Vice President Kamala Harris as election day approaches.
Lopez, 55, collected votes for the Democratic candidate during an event in Las Vegas on October 31. Her presence on the political event got here days after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe ridiculed Latinos at a Donald Trump rally.
The comic included a lot of racist jokes at their expense and likewise called Puerto Rico a “garbage island” during an event at Madison Square Garden. Lopez is from the Bronx, New York, but her parents were born and raised in Puerto Rico.
The island is a territory of the United States Commonwealth of Nations and its structure was developed by Congress, although the territory oversees its internal government.
Document describes Puerto Rico as “a state free from an overarching authority to administer its own local affairs, but affiliated with the United States of America and therefore part of its political system in a manner consistent with a federal structure.”
As the Oscar-nominated actress spoke to Nevadans, she echoed Harris’ campaign to shape a way forward for unity and inclusion.
“I promised myself I would not get emotional, but you recognize what? … We needs to be guided by emotions. We needs to be nervous. We needs to be afraid and outraged. We should. Our pain matters; we matter. You matter,” Lopez told supporters. At times he appeared to be holding back tears.
As the “Pretties” star prepared to say, “I am American,” Lopez closed her eyes, clenched her fist and apparently took a breath to regain her composure. She then delivered impassioned words, noting her Puerto Rican heritage but additionally her American upbringing. “And yes, I was born here and we are Americans,” she exclaimed.
Her ability to emote returned when she said, “I like Hollywood endings. I like it when a good guy, or in this case a good girl, wins. With an understanding of our past and confidence in our future, I will proudly cast my vote for Kamala Harris for President of the United States.”
Although Lopez was praised for a few of her on-screen performances, not everyone was convinced that her displays of emotion were real.
“Bad acting,” wrote a Trump supporter. Someone else is critical he wrote“Her acting skills have not improved.” Several others said her speech solidified their votes for the previous president.
Jennifer Lopez: I’m Puerto Rican and yes, I used to be born here and we’re Americans. I’m a mother. I’m a sister. I’m an actress and I like Hollywood endings and I prefer it when the nice guy, or on this case the nice girl, wins. With an understanding of our past and our faith in… pic.twitter.com/0Elnsy1jIG
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 1, 2024
Even Lopez’s use of a teleprompter was met with criticism, with one person writing, “I read and I’m a good actress.” A like-minded person wrote: “This isn’t authentic to me. I believe that the speech must be top-notch. Real feelings and emotions. Nothing written down, just an honest conversation straight from the heart.”
The comments were further derailed when the conversation brought up Lopez’s personal life. One Instagram user said, “JLO, you always choose the wrong guy!” The artist is within the technique of divorcing Ben Affleck, her fourth husband since 1997. The poor decisions also include her past romantic relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Their story has resurfaced amid speculation in regards to the tycoon’s bizarre tapes of other celebrities exposing themselves. The tycoon is currently in prison on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges and is awaiting trial set for May 2025.
🚨 JLO LEAVES AFTER FAN ASKS ABOUT DIDDY’S ALLEGATIONS
During an autograph session after AFI FEST 2024, Jennifer Lopez abruptly ended the event when a fan asked her for her response to the recent allegations against ex-boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Lopez’s attitude modified when… pic.twitter.com/XIFVgYzpxF
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 31, 2024
He is in custody on the controversial Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The comment said: “Forget about emotions. You should be ashamed!” While signing autographs, Lopez recently faced questions on her past with the music director and the alleged tape. This crime provoked her to run away.
Others who criticized her rally look were distracted by her latest look. – What happened to her face? – they asked, seemingly noticing that her cheeks seemed fuller than in previous outings. However, her fans left comments like, “She was amazing! The best celebrity speech ever! Let’s go!”
Other Latin stars who’ve expressed support for Harris include Lopez’s ex-husband, Marc Anthony, as well as superstar Bad Bunny.
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