The Marvel star, who is of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, wore a prosthetic nose and skin-darkening make-up for the role.
Simone's estate refused to endorse the film, and the late singer's daughter questioned the casting decision.
In a new interview, originally broadcast live on Instagram, Saldana said: "I should have never played Nina.
"I should have done everything in my power with the leverage that I had 10 years ago, which was a different leverage, but it was leverage nonetheless.
