Zoe Saldana On Nina Simone Biopic: She 'Deserves Better' 

the long-delayed Nina Simone biopic, will finally be released next month. In the December/January 2016 issue of

magazine, the film\'s lead, Zoe Saldana, spoke about the “path” she took to become the legendary singer and the troubles behind the scenes.

“As a woman, it wasn’t difficult to empathize with another woman. But I needed to be very isolated,” she told the magazine. “I moved out of my house for three months. I wasn’t really talking to anybody that I knew. I just needed to be all things Nina. It was so intense, and everything happened really fast.”

Since the 2012 announcement of the film’s development, the project has faced a series of setbacks and criticisms ranging from lawsuits to backlash against Saldana’s casting. Saldana has previously responded to critics; she talked to

“The people behind the project weren’t my cup of tea,” she said. “The director was fine, but there was a lot of mismanagement, which is why we’re still here three years later. And I’m still trying to fight with everybody to get the movie finished. Nina deserves better.”

Read more of Zoe Saldana’s Latina magazine interview here.

UNSPECIFIED - 1968: This studio portrait shows American pianist and jazz singer Nina Simone reclining on the floor circa 1968. Simone, whose deep, raspy voice made her a unique jazz figure and later helped chronicle the civil rights movement, died in her sleep on April 21, 2003 of natural causes after a long illness. She was 70. (Photo by Getty Images)

17th September 1979: American jazz singer, Nina Simone (1933 - 2003). (Photo by Monty Fresco/Evening Standard/Getty Images)

American soul, jazz and blues vocalist Nina Simone (1933 - 2003) relaxes at the Hanover Grand during a reception held for her in London. She is here on a promotional visit and is scheduled to appear on the television show \'Frost On Sunday\'. (Photo by Ian Showell/Getty Images)

19th July 1978: American jazz singer Nina Simone (1933 - 2003). (Photo by John Minihan/Evening Standard/Getty Images)

FRANCE - CIRCA 1900: Nina Simone in the fifties in France. (Photo by REPORTERS ASSOCIES/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Music Personalities. pic: 10th May 1967. Nina Simone, (1923-2003) American jazz singer.

Music, Personalities, pic: 10th May 1967, Nina Simone, (1923-2003) American jazz singer (Photo by Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images)

UNSPECIFIED - OCTOBER 18, 1964: American pianist and jazz singer Nina Simone performs October 18, 1964 in an unidentifed location. Simone, whose deep, raspy voice made her a unique jazz figure and later helped chronicle the civil rights movement, died in her sleep on April 21, 2003 of natural causes after a long illness. She was 70. (Photo by Getty Images)

Picture dated 20 July 1988 of legendary jazz and b

JUAN LES PINS, FRANCE: Picture dated 20 July 1988 of legendary jazz and blues singer Nina Simone taking her breakfast at a Juan-Les-Pins hotel during the Jazz festival in the French southern Riviera town. Simone died 21 April 2003 at the age of 70 ather home in southern France, said her manager in a statement. AFP PHOTO Michel GANGNE (Photo credit should read MICHEL GANGNE/AFP/Getty Images)

(FILES) Picture dated 22 October 1991 of legendary jazz and blues singer Nina Simone in concert at the Olympia music hall in Paris. Simone died 21 April 2003 at the age of 70 ather home in southern France, said her manager in a statement. AFP PHOTO BERTRAND GUAY (Photo credit should read BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - APRIL 13: (FILE PHOTO) Jazz singer Nina Simone attends the Rainforest Foundation 11th Annual Carnegie Hall Benefit concert after party at the Pierre Hotel on April 13, 2002 in New York City. Simone, whose deep, raspy voice made her a unique jazz figure and later helped chronicle the civil rights movement, died in her sleep on April 21, 2003 of \'natural causes\' after a long illness. She was 70. (Photo by Jimi Celeste/Getty Images)

Zoe Saldana, Nina Simone, Nina Simone Biopic

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Zoe Saldana On Nina Simone Biopic: She \'Deserves Better\'