An extra from the HBO hit series Lovecraft Country posted a video in February on TikTok divulging how makeup artists darkened her skin for the series. The video has now gone viral.
“They really did me like Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone,” Kelli Amirah wrote on the posted video. Amirah’s reference was to Saldana’s deplorable depiction of legendary singer Nina Simone in 2016. She didn’t name the show, but the followers of the deduced quickly realized that Amirah was talking about Lovecraft Country.
“I was so uncomfortable. I had no idea they were going to do this to me, and if I had known beforehand, I would not have accepted the job,” she expressed.
@kelliamirahReply to @selahhassni they really did me like Zoe saldana as Nina Simone #storytime #extra #backgroundactor #tvfilm #blackfishing #onset #part2♬ original sound – KelliAmirah
The Wrap reported that Amirah was paid $100 for a bit part. She portrayed a young Ms. Oberta on her wedding day.
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HBO released an apology after the actress’s video went viral.
“We were very disappointed to learn of Ms. Amirah’s experience. This should not have happened, and we are taking steps to ensure this doesn’t occur again in the future,” the company told The Wrap on March 8.
