Zendaya reflects on Giuliana Rancic’s ‘offensive’ remarks about her dreadlocks during the 2015 Oscars

Zendaya reflected on the ‘outrageously offensive’ remarks Giuliana Rancic made about her dreadlocks during the 2015 Academy Awards.

When she was just 18 years old, the actress was seen wearing a new hairstyle as she walked the red carpet at the prestigious event, leading Rancic to notice that her locks looked like ‘to patchouli oil or weeds’. smell’.

And now actress Zendaya (24) is looking back at both the controversy and the positive change surrounding the comments, which were made months before Rancic (46) of her role on E! News.

Amid the outbursts of rage, Mattel created a Barbie doll inspired by Zendaya that wore a replica of her ivory skirt that was played during the Oscars – as well as the same hairstyle.

“This is how change happens,” she said in a new interview with W magazine. “And it made me think: how could I always have a lasting impact on what people with colored people saw and associated?”

Back 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 during the Oscars that left me in awe. Not because I rejoiced in amazing outfits, but because I was struck with ignorant insults and pure contempt. ‘

She added: ‘To say that an 18-year-old young woman with locs should smell of patchouli oil or’ weeds’ is not only a big stereotype, but also outrageously offensive.

“I usually do not feel the need to react to negative things, but certain comments can not be ignored.”

Rancic later apologized and tweeted: ‘I’m sorry I offended you and others. I was referring to a bohemian chic look. Had NOTHING to do with race and would NEVER !!! ‘

While Zendaya said she appreciated Rancic’s apology for saying that dreadlocks smelled like ‘weeds’ and ‘patchouli oil’, she criticized the nature of Fashion Police.

“Body shaming and other hurtful tactics will never do the job,” Zendaya said in a statement, adding that she was “glad” that it was a learning experience for Rancic and the E! Network.

Zendaya added in her statement: ‘Giuliana, I appreciate your apology and I am glad it was a learning experience for you and for the network. I hope that others who are negatively affected by her words may also find it in their hearts to accept her apology. ‘

She continues: “From a quote we all know by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Darkness can not dispel darkness, only light can do it. Hate can not dispel; only love can do it. ” Let us be so light and spread that love. ‘

Zendaya also revealed that she initially intended to react angrily to Rancic’s comments before thinking better of them.

“Instead, I sat on my phone for two hours and did my research and formulated an educated response,” she said.

In the immediate aftermath of Rancic’s comments, Kelly Osbourne, co-presenter of Fashion Police, called the E! Sensational leaving. Show.

Giuliana made a statement on the air about her comments, saying: ‘I would like to address something that is very heavy on my heart. I want to apologize for the remark I made last night about the Fashion Police about Zendaya’s hair. ‘

“As you know, Fashion Police is a show that elicits celebrities in good spirits, but I do realize that something I said last night did cross the line.”

“I just want everyone to know that I did not want to hurt anyone, but I have learned that this is not my intention,” Rancic continued. “It simply came to our notice then. And as a result, people are offended, including Zendaya. And that’s not good. ‘

“That’s why I want to tell Zendaya and someone else out there that I was hurt, that I’m so deeply sorry,” she concluded. “It was really a learning experience for me.

‘I learned a lot today and this incident taught me to be much more aware of clichés and stereotypes, and how much damage they can do. And that I am responsible, as we all are, for not perpetuating them further. Thank you for listening. ‘