WhenZendayaworedreadlocks to the 2015 Academy Awards, thenFashion Policeco-hostGiuliana Rancicjoked on air that the traditional African hairstyle made the actress look like she “smells like patchouli oil or weed.”
“That’s how change happens,” Zendaya, who fronts the issue alongside herMalcolm and Marieco-star John Washington, said. “And it made me think, ‘How could I always have a lasting impact on what people saw and associated with People of Color?'”
Nadine Ijewere
In 2015, shortly after theFashion Policeepisode aired, Zendayaresponded to the television host on Instagram. “There is a fine line between what is funny and disrespectful,” shewrote. “Someone said something about my hair atthe Oscarsthat left me in awe. Not because I was relishing in rave outfit reviews, but because I was hit with ignorant slurs and pure disrespect.”
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Continued Zendaya, “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. I don’t usually feel the need to respond to negative things but certain remarks cannot go unchecked.”
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Zendaya went on to name-check successful African Americans such as Ava DuVernay and Terry McMillan, all of whom have “locs” in common – “none of which smell of marijuana.”
“I suggest some people should listen to India Arie’s ‘I Am Not My Hair,’ " Zendaya concluded, “and contemplate a little before opening your mouth so quickly to judge.”
Rancic later issued an on-camera statement viaE!:
In the years since, Zendaya has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most influential activists, andshe continues to celebrate Black culturethrough her work and fashion.
“The visuals matter,” theEuphoriastar’s longtime stylist and image architectLaw Roachsaid of the ’50s-themed shoot. “The way change happens is when people can see wealth and grandeur in a way that they are not used to seeing it.”
source: people.com
