Though its iconic doyenne Joan Rivers now critiques celebrities' outfits from heaven, E!'s Fashion Police lives on, giving clanking wind chime Giuliana Rancic an outlet to say dumb, racist things on television. Last night, Giuliana criticized 18-year-old Disney actress Zendaya for wearing her hair in dreadlocks to the Oscars.
"I love Zendaya's style, and I love when she has the little hair—she just had it," Giuliana began, not explaining what she meant by "the little hair." Then she dropped this insane critique:
She has just such a tiny frame that this hair, to me, overwhelms her. I feel like she smells like patchouli oil. Or weed! Yeah, maybe weed?
Weee-oooo weeee-ooooo Giuliana no.
Zendaya was not happy about a woman she does not know accusing her of smelling like weed, so she posted a thoughtful statement on Twitter explaining why Giuliana's remarks were offensive. It begins:
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 young woman with locs must smell of patchouli oil or "weed" is not only a large stereotype but outrageously offensive. I don't usually feel the need to respond to negative things but certain remarks cannot go unchecked...
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) February 24, 2015
Giuliana offered a frantic, jumbled compliment-apology in response.
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
Giuliana would NEVER have anything to do with race.
