Entertainment
Zendaya reflects on Giuliana Rancic’s offensive comments about her hair at the 2015 Oscars
Zendaya has reflected on her decision to publicly defend herself following Giuliana Rancic’s offensive comments about her hair at the 2015 Oscars.
At the time, the actress blasted the E! presenter for being ‘outrageously offensive’ after she joked that her dreadlocks made her look like she ‘smelled like patchouli oil or weed’.
Now, in a new cover story interview with W Magazine, the 24-year-old revealed she spoke out about the remarks because: ‘That’s how change happens’.
‘And it made me think, “How could I always have a lasting impact on what people saw and associated with People of Color?”‘
Shortly after Giuliana’s comments aired on E! Fashion Police, Zendaya wrote in an Instagram post: ‘There is a fine line between what is funny and what is disrespectful.
‘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. To me, locs are a symbol of strength and beauty… (sic)’.
Giuliana was quick to apologise, tweeting: ‘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!!!’
The 46-year-old continued to air her remorse during a televised statement on E!.
Meanwhile, in the last five years, Zendaya has continued to be a trailblazer in Hollywood.
In September, she became the youngest actress to win the Lead Actress in a Drama Series gong at the Emmys for her work in Euphoria.
She has also won critical acclaim for the Netflix movie Malcolm and Marie, which she starred in, produced and co-financed.
The multi-talented star is currently filming for Spider-Man: No Way Home alongside Tom Holland.
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