Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman joined Meryl Streep, Scarlett Johansson, Emma Stone, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Lopez, Chrissy Teigen, Jennifer Aniston, Lady Gaga, and Marion Cotillard at the 2015 Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday in Hollywood.
Zendaya making a statement with her elegant dreadlocks at the Oscars – a moment of grace and controversy (Credit: WENN)
The 18-year-old American actress, singer, and dancer, whose father is black, donned an off-white gown from British designer Vivienne Westwood featuring a period-inspired draped silhouette.
Zendaya’s cascading dreadlocks at the Oscars: Defining beauty on her terms (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
The Dreadlocks That Captured Attention
However, her long, cascading dreadlocks ended up getting all the attention.
Zendaya in an ivory-toned Vivienne Westwood dress at the 2015 Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on February 22, 2015 (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN / FayesVision)
A Controversial Comment Sparks Backlash
When seeing Zendaya on the red carpet, Fashion Police host Giuliana Rancic commented, “I feel that she smells like patchouli oil . . . or weed,” and continued, “Yeah—maybe weed.”
Zendaya’s Powerful Response
It wasn’t long before Zendaya addressed the television host’s remarks in a powerful tweet to her 5+ million followers.
Zendaya defends the significance of her hair, embracing her heritage with pride
A Public Apology and Acceptance
“I’m sorry I offended you and others,” Rancic tweeted. “I was referring to a bohemian chic look. Had NOTHING to do with race and NEVER would!!!”
While Giuliana Rancic has now officially apologized, which the young actress quickly accepted, how do you feel about Zendaya’s red carpet ensemble?
When accepting the apology, Zendaya wrote: “Giuliana, I appreciate your apology and I’m glad it was a learning experience for you and for the network. I hope that others negatively affected by her words can also find it in their hearts to accept her apology as well. From a quote we all know by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out have; only love can do that.’ Let’s be that light and spread that love.”
Zendaya’s gracious acceptance of Giuliana’s apology, spreading a message of love and understanding