Zendaya has reflected on the “outrageously offensive” comments Giuliana Rancic made about her dreadlocks at the 2015 Academy Awards.
Then, at just 18, the actress was seen wearing a new hairstyle as she headed to the red carpet at the prestigious event, prompting Rancic to remark that her braids looked like “smelling of patchouli oil or weeds. ”.
And now actress Zendaya, 24, is looking back at the controversy and positive change surrounding the comments, which came months before Rancic, 46, left her role at E! News.
Reflection: Zendaya has reflected on the “outrageously offensive” comments Giuliana Rancic made about her dreadlocks at the 2015 Academy Awards. Photography at the 215 Academy Awards
In the midst of the fury, Mattel created a Barbie doll inspired by Zendaya, who wore a replica of her ivory dress that was shown at the Oscars, in addition to the hairstyle itself.
“That’s how change happens,” he told W magazine in a new interview. “And it made me think, how could it have a lasting impact on what people saw and related to people of color?”
In 2015, Zendaya addressed Rancic’s controversial comments and said in a statement: “There is a fine line between what is funny and disrespectful.
Someone said something about my hair at the Oscars that left me scared. Not because I liked costume reviews, but because I had been beaten with ignorant insults and out of disrespect. ”
Controversial: Giuliana Rancic (pictured Sunday) sparked controversy when she commented at the time that Zendaya’s braids seemed to “smell like patchouli oil or weeds.”
He added: “To say that an 18-year-old with locks should smell like patchouli oil or‘ weeds ’is not only a big stereotype, but it is outrageously offensive.
“I don’t normally feel the need to respond to negative things, but certain observations can’t go unchecked.”
Later, Rancic apologized and tweeted, “I’m sorry I offended you and the others. I meant a bohemian chic look. It had nothing to do with the race and I would NEVER do it !!! ‘
While Zendaya said she appreciated Rancic’s apologies for saying her dreadlocks had to smell like “weeds” and “patchouli oil,” she criticized the nature of the Fashion Police.
“Body embarrassment and other hurtful tactics will never finish the job,” Zendaya said in a statement, adding that she was “happy” that it was a learning experience for Rancic and E! Net.
Disrespect: In 2015, Zendaya addressed Rancic’s comments, writing, “There’s a fine line between what’s funny and disrespectful … It hit me with ignorant insults and sheer disrespect.”
Zendaya added in her statement: “Giuliana, I appreciate your apologies and I am glad it has been a learning experience for you and the network. I hope other people negatively affected by your words can also find in his heart also accepted his apology “.
He continued, “From a quote we all know from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Darkness cannot expel darkness, only light can do it. Hatred cannot expel; only love can do that. “Let’s be so light and spread that love.”
Zendaya also revealed that he had initially planned to respond to Rancic’s comments angrily, before thinking better of it.
“Instead, I spent two hours on my phone, researching and formulating a polite response,” he said.
Immediately after Rancic’s comments, Fashion Police co-host Kelly Osbourne sensationally left the E! show.
Shock: Zendaya also stated, “Saying that an 18-year-old with locks should smell like patchouli oil or ‘weed’ is not only a big stereotype, but it’s outrageously offensive.” Seen in 2020
Quit Smoking: Immediately after Rancic’s comments, Fashion Police co-presenter Kelly Osbourne (pictured left) has sensationally quit the E! show
Giuliana would make an on-air statement about her comments, saying, “I’d like to try something that weighs heavily on my heart. I want to apologize for the comment I made to the Fashion Police last night about Zendaya’s hair.
“As you know, Fashion Police is a show that teases celebrities with good spirits, but I realize something I said last night crossed the line.”
“I just want everyone to know that I didn’t intend to hurt anyone, but I knew it didn’t matter what my intention was,” Rancic continued. ‘It’s the result. And the result is that people are offended, including Zendaya. And that’s not right.
“So I want to tell Zendaya and anyone else that I hurt, that I sincerely feel sorry for her,” he concluded. “This has really been a learning experience for me.
‘I learned a lot today and this incident has taught me to be much more aware of the clichés and stereotypes and the damage they can do. And that I am responsible, as we all are, for not perpetuating them further. Thank you for listening.’
Doll: In the midst of the fury, Mattel created a Barbie doll inspired by Zendaya, who wore a replica of her ivory dress worn at the Oscars, as well as the hairstyle itself. Image in 2015
Double take: Emmy-winning Euphoria star Zendaya shared a glimpse of the dreadlocks on her Barbie doll via Instagram as she discussed what the moment meant to her.