Zendaya Blasts Giuliana Rancic Over Dreadlock Criticism

Zendaya Coleman is not pleased with comments made by Giuliana Rancic.

During Monday night’s “Fashion Police,” the E! co-host mocked the 18-year-old’s recently dreadlocked hair at the Oscars, saying “I feel like she smells like patchouli oil… or maybe weed.”

The “Shake It Up” actress took to Instagram to address the comments (without naming Giuliana directly).

“There is a fine line between what is funny and disrespectful,” Zendaya wrote in a photo of a long paragraph of text. “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 woman with locs must smell of patchouli oil or ‘weed’ is not only a large stereotype but outrageously offensive,” she continued. “I don’t usually feel the need to respond to negative things but certain remarks cannot go unchecked.”

The young actress named people she respects and admires who also sport dreads, including her dad and brother, singer Ledisi, “Selma” director Ava DuVernay and Terry McMillan, who wrote “Waiting To Exhale.”

“Do you want to know what [they all] have in common?” Zendaya wrote. “Locs. None of which smell of marijuana. There is already harsh criticism of African American hair in society without the help of ignorant people who choose to judge others base on the curl of their hair. My wearing my hair in locs on an Oscar red carpet was to showcase them in a positive light, to remind people of color tha tour hair is good enough.”

Giuliana got wind of Zendaya’s post and responded on Twitter on Monday night, writing, “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!!!”

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

— Erin O’Sullivan