Thursday, March 28, 2024

Zendaya Rips Giuliana Rancic’s ‘Ignorant’ Dreadlock Comment

Actress Zendaya attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 22, 2015 in Hollywood, California
Actress Zendaya attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 22, 2015 in Hollywood, California

*The folks on E!’s “Fashion Police” had a lot to say about Zendaya Coleman’s Oscar look, but a comment from co-host Giuliana Rancic crossed the line, based on a sudden Instagram posting from the 18-year-old.

Commenting on zendaya’s recently dreadlocked hair, Rancid said: “I feel like she smells like patchouli oil… or maybe weed.”

The actress took to Instagram (without naming Giuliana directly) and wrote: “There is a fine line between what is funny and disrespectful. Someone said something about my hair at the Oscars that left me in awe. Not because I was relishing in rave outfit reviews, but because I was hit with ignorant slurs and pure disrespect.

“To say that an 18-year-old woman with locs must smell of patchouli oil or ‘weed’ is not only a large stereotype but outrageously offensive,” she continued. “I don’t usually feel the need to respond to negative things but certain remarks cannot go unchecked.”

The young actress named people she respects and admires who also sport dreads, including her dad and brother, singer Ledisi, “Selma” director Ava DuVernay and Terry McMillan, who wrote “Waiting To Exhale.”

“Do you want to know what [they all] have in common?” Zendaya wrote. “Locs. None of which smell of marijuana. There is already harsh criticism of African American hair in society without the help of ignorant people who choose to judge others based on the curl of their hair. My wearing my hair in locs on an Oscar red carpet was to showcase them in a positive light, to remind people of color that our hair is good enough.”

A photo posted by Zendaya (@zendaya) on

Giuliana got wind of Zendaya’s post and responded on Twitter Monday night, writing, “Dear @Zendaya, I’m sorry I offended you and others. I was referring to a bohemian chic look. Had NOTHING to do with race and NEVER would!!!”

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