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When Zoe Saldana was a Dominican playing the lead role in Colombiana, nobody spoke a word. But the recent controversy surrounding the actress is stemming from her decision to accept the role of Nina Simone in a biopic about the songstress’ life. 

VIDEO: Zoe Saldana On Playing Nina Simone: “I Did It All Out Of Love”

Zoe is the cover girl for the May issue of Latina Magazine, and while she is using the opportunity to open up about relationships and her upbringing as a Dominican-American, one thing Zoe is staying mum on is the reasoning behind her being cast in the role of Nina, but tactfully of course. In the Magazine, Zoe explains that nobody knows the real story behind her being cast as Nina. 

PHOTOS: Zoe Saldana Steps Out Amidst Growing Nina Simone Controversy

Check out some excerpts from the interview below. 

On wanting a relationship:
“I don’t want to need things. I need water, you know what I’m saying? I need to exercise, I need to eat. To be with a man, should be a want. I don’t need anybody.”

On the Nina Simone controversy:
“The reality is that nobody knows the story as to why this collaboration came to be—nobody knows the full story—and at the end of the day all I’m going to say is that every person that is a part of this project came together for no other reason than the unconditional love for Nina Simone’s music…”

On growing up as a Dominican-American:
“I grew up in Queens and the Dominican Republic. It wasn’t easy, s*** was going on. But the kind of world that we had indoors, that my mom created for us, makes more sense to this day than what is out there. I would come home from school and go, ‘Mami, what am I? You know, cause I’m getting all kinds of things and people are mean.’ And Mami would look at me and go, ‘You’re Zoe.’”

And she will also be a label-less Zoe when she transforms into Nina Simone whether the public likes it or not. 

Be sure to head over to Latina Magazine for more of the interview and BTS photos. 

SOURCE: Celebrity Gossip