14 DAY TRIAL // Former Disney Channel star Zendaya Coleman made a big statement on the red carpet at the Oscars 2015, which took place on Sunday at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, by pairing a simple white gown with dreadlocks.
She said she wanted to show the world that women are beautiful regardless of how they style their hair, but more importantly, that hair is not defining on anyone. Giuliana Rancic understood the exact opposite from her statement.
“Smells like patchouli oil and weed”
This is the comment Rancic made about Zendaya’s hair, which instantly sparked outrage and a barrage of criticizing comments online, particularly on social media. Zendaya herself addressed the controversy, saying she never imagined someone would be so “ignorant” as to say the kind of things Rancic said on camera.
Meanwhile, people online were trying to make the E! News fashion correspondent understand just how wrong she’d been to say these things, and to pressure her into issuing an apology.
She feigned one on Twitter, directing a message to Zendaya saying that her comment wasn’t about race: she was merely trying to stress that Zendaya was working a strong “bohemian chic” look.
Not even Kelly Osbourne, her co-host on Fashion Police, bought this explanation / sad excuse for an apology: she too took to her Twitter feed to comment on the situation, saying she expected an apology within 24 hours or she would seriously consider leaving the show.
She also said that she couldn’t get into more details, though she wanted so badly, because she was gagged by her contract with E!.
Either way, it looks like she can forget about her threat to quit the show.
Giuliana Rancic apologizes
Giuliana Rancic has apologized for her insensitive comment, as the video below will show. For the best understanding of the controversy, we have also included all the tweets on the topic, from the parties involved.
Unlike many celebrities who talk themselves into a corner and then issue an apology for it, Rancic doesn’t “apologize if someone was offended”: she knows that her comment was wrong, takes responsibility for it and apologizes. She seems genuinely sorry, too.
“This has been a learning experience for me,” she adds. “I’ve learned a lot today. This incident has taught me to be a lot more aware of cliches and stereotypes. How much damage they can do. I am responsible, as we all are, to not perpetuate them further.”
As of the time of writing, Zendaya is yet to address Rancic’s apology.
pic.twitter.com/q0fOYrv3gc
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) February 24, 2015
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!!!
— Giuliana Rancic (@GiulianaRancic) February 24, 2015
I WILL NOT BE DRAGED INTO THIS! The situation is being rectified like ADULTS by both parties. I hope you can leave it to them & do the same!
— Kelly Osbourne (@KellyOsbourne) February 24, 2015
you guys do realize that @Zendaya is my friend right?
— Kelly Osbourne (@KellyOsbourne) February 24, 2015
Im giving everyone involved 24 hours to make it right or the world will hear how I really feel. contactually Im not allowed to speak!
— Kelly Osbourne (@KellyOsbourne) February 24, 2015
I DID NOT MAKE THE WEED COMENT. I DO NOT CONDONE RACISM SO AS A RSULT OF THIS IM SEREIOULSY QUESTIONONIG STAYING ON THE SHOW!
— Kelly Osbourne (@KellyOsbourne) February 24, 2015