Dear Zoe,


Doing BEST by Nina Simone would have to been to be a PRODUCER on the film and cast Lauryn Hill in the role of Nina Simone:




Doing BEST by Nina Simone would have to been to be a PRODUCER on the film and cast Ledisi in the role of Nina Simone:


Doing BEST by Nina Simone would have to been to be a PRODUCER on the film and cast Leela James in the role of Nina Simone:



Doing BEST by Nina Simone would have to been to be a PRODUCER on the film and cast Jennifer Hudson in the role of Nina Simone:



Doing BEST by Nina Simone would have to been to be a PRODUCER on the film and cast Adepero Oduye in the role of Nina Simone:



Doing BEST by Nina Simone would have to been to be a PRODUCER on the film and cast Danai Gurira in the role of Nina Simone:




Doing BEST by Nina Simone would have to been to be a PRODUCER on the film and cast Jerrika Hinton in the role of Nina Simone:




I can list a multitude of choices to honor Nina Simone. Zoe, you made the selfish choice. I understand you may not have been in charge of casting but I'm fairly certain the opportunity to do Queen Nina right NEVER crossed your mind.  A righteous woman like Ms. Simone, singing 'Mississippi God Damn" would not ALLOW another sistah to don BLACK FACE in an effort to portray her. You betrayed Nina Simone.



You failed, Zoe. This was NOT the film to show off that you can act. This was YOUR OPPORTUNITY that you can honor a legacy of greatness...not seek it for yourself. We won't be watching the film for your ability to play the role. We will sit and contemplate your makeup...your skin...your color...your hair...your choice. You failed Nina. You failed the above mentioned actresses, robbing them an opportunity to tell Nina's story with honesty and integrity. You failed us all.