Giuliana Rancic has nothing but positive things to say about Zendaya, nine years after her “outrageously offensive” comments about the star’s hairstyle.
“She is incredible,” said the 49-year-old presenter People on Thursday. “I always enjoy seeing people from the beginning and seeing how they grow, both in their work and in every aspect of their career.”
In 2015, while hosting E! Network’s Fashion Police noticed Giuliana at Zendaya’s debut Oscar performance, sporting dreadlocks, stating that the then-18-year-old star “looks like she smells like patchouli oil or weed.”
Fast forward to the present: Giuliana, who left the network in 2021, finds herself brimming with excitement over the movie star’s immense success.
“She’s so talented, she has an amazing fan base,” the TV personality explained. ‘I love it.’
Giuliana Rancic has nothing but positive things to say about Zendaya, nine years after her “scandalously offensive” comments about the star’s hairstyle; Rancid in 2021
In 2015, while hosting E! Network’s Fashion Police, Giuliana commented during Zendaya’s debut Oscar appearance, sporting dreadlocks, stating that the then 18-year-old star “looks like she smells like patchouli oil or weed”
She also acknowledged the dramatic change in demand for style advice and commentary over the years.
“I think we’re at a point now where all we want to see is fashion,” Giuliana said. “I remember when that started to change and fashion wouldn’t be so central on the red carpet anymore.”
In 2021, Zendaya reflected on the controversial incident, saying the aftermath was “how change happens.”
Amid the uproar, Mattel had created a Zendaya-inspired Barbie doll, which wore a replica of her ivory dress worn to the Oscars – and had the same hairstyle.
“And it made me think: How could I always have a lasting impact on what people saw and associated with people of color?” she said W magazine.
In 2015, Zendaya addressed Rancic’s controversial comments, saying in a statement, “There’s a fine line between what’s funny and disrespectful.
‘Someone said something about my hair at the Oscars that I was in awe of. Not because I enjoyed the rave reviews of outfits, but because I was bombarded with ignorant comments and sheer disrespect.”
She added: ‘Saying that an 18-year-old young woman with locs must smell of patchouli oil or ‘weed’ is not only a huge stereotype but also outrageously offensive.
“She’s incredible,” the 49-year-old host said of Zendaya to People on Thursday; seen in 2022
In 2015, Zendaya addressed Rancic’s controversial comments, saying in a statement, “There’s a fine line between what’s funny and disrespectful.
“I think it’s always fun to see people from the beginning and then see how they grow, both in their work and in every aspect of their career,” Rancic added; Zendaya in April
Giuliana made a statement about her comments, saying, “I would really like to discuss something that is weighing very heavily on my heart. “I want to apologize for a comment I made to the Fashion Police last night about Zendaya’s hair.”
“I usually don’t feel the need to respond to negative things, but certain comments can’t go unchecked.”
Rancic later apologized, tweeting: “I’m sorry I offended you and others. I was aiming for a bohemian-chic look. Had NOTHING to do with race and NEVER would!!!’
While Zendaya said she appreciated Rancic’s apology for saying her dreadlocks should smell like “weed” and “patchouli oil,” she criticized the nature of the fashion police.
“Body shaming and other hurtful tactics will never get the job done,” Zendaya said in a statement, adding that she was “glad” it was a learning experience for Rancic and the E! Network.
Zendaya added in her statement, “Giuliana, I appreciate your apology and I’m glad it was a learning experience for you and for the network. I hope that others who have been negatively affected by her words can find it in their hearts to accept her apology as well.”
She continued, “From a quote we all know from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can. Hate cannot drive away; only love can do that.” Let us be that light and spread that love.”
Zendaya also revealed that she initially planned to respond angrily to Rancic’s comments before thinking more about it.
“Instead, I sat on my phone for two hours, doing my research and formulating an informed response,” she said.
In the immediate aftermath of Rancic’s comments, Fashion Police co-host Kelly Osbourne sensationally left the E! show.
Giuliana made a statement about her comments, saying, “I would really like to discuss something that is weighing very heavily on my heart. “I want to apologize for a comment I made to the Fashion Police last night about Zendaya’s hair.”
In the immediate aftermath of Rancic’s comments, Fashion Police co-host Kelly Osbourne (pictured left) sensationally left the E! show
Zendaya shared a glimpse of her Barbie doll’s dreadlocks via Instagram as she discussed what the moment meant to her
“As you know, Fashion Police is a show that pokes fun at celebrities in good humor, but I do realize that something I said last night crossed the line.”
“I just want everyone to know that I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, but I’ve learned that it’s not my intention that matters,” Rancic continued. ‘It’s the result. And as a result, people are offended, including Zendaya. And that’s not okay.’
“That’s why I want to say to Zendaya and everyone I’ve hurt that I’m so truly sorry,” she concluded. ‘This has really been a learning experience for me.
‘I learned a lot today and this incident has taught me to be much more aware of clichés and stereotypes, and how much damage they can do. And that I, like all of us, am responsible for not allowing them to continue. Thanks for listening.’