· zoe saldana says nina simone deserved better than her controversial portrayal of the famed jazz singer in the 2016 biopic nina. during a virtual interview with pose creator steven. · for the role, saldana wore dark makeup, a prosthetic nose, and false teeth. Endgame ” actress, 42, who is. · zoë saldaña has finally and tearfully apologized for playing the inimitable nina simone in “nina,” the doomed 2016 biopic of the iconic civil rights activist and jazz artist. · actress zoe saldana has apologized for playing nina simone in a 2016 biopic , four years after she was heavily criticized for darkening her skin and wearing a prosthetic nose for the. · zoe saldana was brought to tears while apologizing for portraying singer and civil rights advocate nina simone in the 2016 biopic “ nina. ” the “ avengers: Saldana has now apologized for playing nina simone in a new interview. · the actress defended her portrayal of the singer in 2013 when she told latina magazine, let me tell you, if elizabeth taylor can be cleopatra, i can be nina — im sorry. I should have never played nina, she. · actress zoe saldana has apologised for playing nina simone in a heavily criticised 2016 biopic.