FIRST LOOK: Zoe Saldana transforms into Nina Simone for new movie... with the help of facial prosthetics, fake teeth and an afro-style wig
By SARAH BULL
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But in first pictures of Zoe Saldana on the set of highly-anticipated biopic Nina, the 34-year-old actress has shown she is throwing herself into the role whole-heartedly.
Zoe was seen wearing a black afro-style short wig and what appeared to be a prosthetic nose, clutching a folder believed to contain her scripts as she made her way to the movie set.
She also appeared to have some slightly darker make-up shaded along her cheek and jawline.
Transformation: Zoe Saldana was seen wearing a wig, facial prosthetics and fake teeth to play Nina Simone in the upcoming biopic of the singer's life
A little help: Zoe's nose appears to have been made more rounded to give her a stronger similarity to the late singer Simone
She wore a black dressing gown with white trim, teamed with a matching pair of slippers as she prepared to meet with the wardrobe department ahead of her day's work.
Screen star: Zoe with a noticeably more pointed nose in her everyday life
The decision to cast Zoe as Nina was met with strong criticism with many in Hollywood, including Nina's daughter Simone Kelly.
Simone took to her Facebook page to voice her concerns, writing: 'Appearance-wise this is not the best choice.'
However, Simone then continued to say that she had no problem with the star’s acting ability, but added she would have liked to see a darker-skinned actress such as Viola Davis or Kimberly Elise take the part.
But other stars have come forward to back Zoe in the part, with singer and actress Jill Scott telling black women’s web site Hello Beautiful: 'Zoe is an incredible actress.
'I think that there should be some work done, like a prosthetic nose would be helpful and definitely some darker make-up.’
The synopsis of the motion picture so far only details that it is the story of the jazz musician and classical pianist, including her rise to fame and relationship with her manager Clifton Henderson.
The civil rights activist certainly celebrated women of darker complexions with her track Images (Of a Wayward Soul), which includes the lyrics: ‘She does not know her beauty. She thinks her brown body has no glory.’
Nina, which also stars The Help actor David Oyelowo as Henderson, is due for release in 2013.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2222382/Zoe-Saldana-transforms-Nina-Simone-new-movie--help-facial-prosthetics-fake-teeth-afro-style-wig.html#ixzz2AIbSh5jQ
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