Zendaya, Giuliana Rancic Beef: Disney Star Claps Back at E! Host for 'Racist' Oscars Comment

Disney star Zendaya has a bone to pick with E!'s Fashion Police host, Giuliana Rancic after she made some pretty bad comments about the actresses' dreadlocks on the Oscars red carpet this weekend.

According to Vogue, the Fashion magazine described Zendaya's look as "one part Lisa Bonet, one part Venus de Milo, and all very grown up (which is to say, all very un-Disney)." The magazine also called her a "breakout style star."

 Inspiration @luxurylaw @shelbeniece

A photo posted by Zendaya (@zendaya) on Feb 22, 2015 at 8:25pm PST

It appears that Rancic didn't agree, and on Monday the host joked about the star's look and said, Zendaya "probably smells like patchouli oil ... or weed."

  
That comment took media airwaves by storm and got around to Zendaya, who expressed her outrage for Rancic's comments in a long statement on Instagram: 

"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," Zendaya said.

She continued, "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." Zendaya added, "I don't usually feel the need to respond to negative things but certain remarks cannot go unchecked. I'll have you know my father, brother, best childhood friend and little cousins all have have locs. Do you want to know what Ava Du Vernay (director of the Oscar nominated film Selma), Ledisi (9 time Grammy nominated singer/songwriter and actress) Terry McMillan (author), Vincent Brown (Professor of African and African American studies at Harvard University), Heather Andrea Williams (Historian who also possesses a JD from Harvard University, and an MA and PhD from Yale University) as well as many other men woman and children of all races have in common? 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 based on the curl of their hair."

She concluded, "My wearing my hair in locs on an Oscar red carpet was to showcase them in a positive light, to remind people of color that our hair is good enough. To me locs are a symbol of strength and beauty, almost like a lion's mane. I suggest some people should listen to India Arie's "I Am Not My Hair" and contemplate a little before opening your mouth so quickly to judge." "-Zendaya Coleman" So did the Disney star make her point? Do you think Rancic's comments were racist?

A photo posted by Zendaya (@zendaya) on Feb 23, 2015 at 8:20pm PST