Giuliana Rancic Apologizes for “Fashion Police” Joke Regarding Zendaya's Hair

ABC/Rick Rowell(LOS ANGELES) — E! News host Giuliana Rancic has issued an apology to Zendaya after making a questionable joke at the Disney star’s expense on Monday’s post-Oscars episode of Fashion Police.

Commenting on Zendaya’s dreadlocked hair on the Academy Awards red carpet, Rancic said on Fashion Police, “I feel like she smells like patchouli oil. Or weed. Maybe weed.”

An offended Zendaya reacted on Instagram, writing, “There is a fine line between what is funny and disrespectful.” Without mentioning Rancic by name, she added, “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.”

Rancic initially offered a brief apology to Zendaya on Twitter, insisting that her joke had “NOTHING to do with race.” She apologized again on E! News Tuesday night, conceding her comment “crossed the line.”  

Rancic said, “This really has been a learning experience for me. I’ve learned a lot today. And this incident has taught me to be a lot more aware of clichés and stereotypes, how much damage they can do. And that I am responsible, as we all are, to not perpetuate them further.”

Prior to Rancic’s televised apology, Fashion Police co-host Kelly Osbourne — a friend of Zendaya — expressed her anger over the controversy. She tweeted, “Im giving everyone involved 24 hours to make it right or the world will hear how I really feel. contactually [sic] Im not allowed to speak!”

She added, “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!”


Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.