Yesterday, I talked about how Giuliana Rancic mocked Zendaya’s Oscar dreadlocks. She said, “I feel like she … she smells like patchouli oils, or weed. Maybe weed.” This remark caused a huge backlash, and I wondered why no one called out the rest of the Fashion Police. The Vine video clip made it seem like everyone laughed heartily at Giuliana’s joke. So I tracked down the full episode. The relevant portion starts around 24:30.
After watching everyone’s full reactions, I see how Brad Goreski and Kathy Griffin enjoyed Giuliana’s ill-advised joke. The odd one out was Kelly Osbourne. She looked very annoyed and not amused at all. In the aftermath, Zendaya called Giuliana out in an eloquent letter for stereotyping locks. Guiliana tossed out an apology tweet, saying her remark had “NOTHING to do with race.” Kelly popped off on Twitter and threatened to quit the show.
I WILL NOT BE DRAGED INTO THIS! The situation is being rectified like ADULTS by both parties. I hope you can leave it to them & do the same!
— Kelly Osbourne (@KellyOsbourne) February 24, 2015
Im giving everyone involved 24 hours to make it right or the world will hear how I really feel. contactually Im not allowed to speak!
— Kelly Osbourne (@KellyOsbourne) February 24, 2015
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!
— Kelly Osbourne (@KellyOsbourne) February 24, 2015
Kelly and Zendaya are friends. They both modelled for Lourdes Leon’s Material Girl clothing line. Kelly gave fair criticism of Zendaya’s dress, but when Giuliana stepped in with the dreadlocks stuff, you could tell Kelly wasn’t happy. A source told Us Weekly, “he doesn’t condone Giuliana’s dumb comment.” I think Kelly was correct (even if she typed like Kanye), but threatening to quit seems extreme. She didn’t need to make herself look juvenile. Giuliana already cornered the market on that one.
Last night, Giuliana stepped up with a more substantial, televised apology:
“I’d really like to address something that is weighing very heavy on my heart. I want to apologize for a comment that I made on last night’s Fashion Police about Zendaya’s hair. Now, as you know, Fashion Police is a show that pokes fun at celebrities in good spirit, but I do understand that something I said last night did cross the line. I just want everyone to know, I didn’t intend to hurt anybody, but I’ve learned it is not my intent that matters — it’s the result, and the result is that people are offended, including Zendaya, and that is not OK. Therefore, I want to say to Zendaya, and anyone else out there that I have hurt, that I am so, so sincerely sorry. 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 cliches and stereotypes, how much damage they can do. And that I am responsible, as we all are, to not perpetuate them further. Thank you for listening.”
[From E! Entertainment on YouTube]
Giuliana seems somber and sincere and said all the right things. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and hope she truly learned something from this experience. Here’s the video of Giuliana’s extended apology.
Photos courtesy of WENN
I don’t even like her, but this is a really great apology. She couldn’t have said it any better.
Agree. It’s not “I’m sorry you were offended”.
I agree as well. Normally, she gets on my last nerve but this really does sound like a sincere apology.
Same. Don’t care for her, but she seems to get it and be sincerely sorry.
I disagree. While I believe the first part of her statement, that she didn’t intend to offend in the way that she did, I don’t buy that she wasn’t aware of the damage cliches and stereotypes can do. She is a grown woman who has been in the business for a while. I would have believed her more if she just said it was an ignorant comment and she was sorry.
I think you’re nitpicking, but okay.
I thought her apology had everything it needed to have in it and seemed very humble.
Also, with another ‘Charlotte’ popping up every now and then, usually posting sentiments that are the opposite of mine, I might change my posting name on here ‘CharlotteCharlotte’.
Whichever @Charlotte changes her username should def change it to @CharlotteSometimes! 🙂
Ah, phooey. If Joan Rivers [how I miss her now!] had said it, no one would have said jack about it. Rancic is a coward. It was an honest assessment – stand by it, wuss.
Right. She spoke without thought and truly regrets doing that, but also the message that came with her words.
This was a great apology.
Yeah, good apology. The idea behind FP IS to be funny and poke fun after all. But it was a bit clichéd for sure.
I thought it was great that she didn’t just imply but specifically said:
“and this incident has taught me to be a lot more aware of cliches and stereotypes, how much damage they can do. And that I am responsible, as we all are, to not perpetuate them further.”
I agree. I don’t really watch the show cuz all the ladies sound stupid and don’t get fashion in my opinion. But her apology does sound very sincere. Zendaya deserved a well thought out and sincere apology.
Fire her.
I actually think that would be a little extreme for her actual transgression.
Yeah firing is a *bit* extreme. She said it, owned it, apologized, and no one is injured.
If I were E! and Melissa Rivers, the one I would be looking to fire is Kelly. She was totally out of line and she did the same mess when Brad Goreski was hired. It’s way unprofessional.
@Talie: What did Kelly do? Or are you talking about she threatened to quit?
Totally agree. If Kelly Osborne quits E and the Fashion Police, I doubt she will ever be heard from again. She has zero talent. She should not bite the hand that feeds her. Don’t quit your day job girl. (Although if Kelly left, I wouldn’t miss her.)
I can’t tell if Kelly was laughing or not, but if she was so offended, why didn’t she say something at the time? I’m being a bit harsh I suppose because I don’t like her, but she’s always come across as a minion of the head Bully. The one who laughs and points the finger until called out, and then Retreats.
Kelly could be Ursula the Sea Witch’s impersonator.
why was kelly mad when brad was hired? do tell
Twenty-five years later, I’m still offended at Disney for ruining my name.
Brad goreski is terrible. I feel like they flippantly tried to fill the “Gay stylist” role and thought anyone could fill George’s shoes.
Honestly makes me like kelly more. Don’t really understand all the dislike for her on this site
I wonder who wrote it? She thinks she’s a movie star, when she’s just an E reporter. I think she should be behind the scenes from now on. Fashion Police should never have been revamped.
Huh, it really does seem sincere, none of that usual PR crap garbage
This was a pr apology. Who ever wrote this (I seriously doubt it was ranic though she might have approved it) won the gold metal of apologies.
Kanye needs her number quick.
Rancid needs sensitivity counselling and eating disorder therapy.
Yep, cause every slimmer than average woman is anorexic . For all you know she eats just as much as you.
She actually did a whole article a while back about her daily routine including food and workouts… she barely eats.
My sister died of eating disorders, so I know probably a lot more than the average person about the issue. This woman barely eats and works out obsessively. She’s fought eating disorders for many years and because she’s a media personality it makes me so sad that she’s sending the wrong message to young women about how thin = beauty and success.
Well I don’t know anything much about this woman, don’t follow her twitter etc. I just wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, because imagine this – you eat exactly the same amount as the average person and everyone still assumes you are anorexic on looks alone. That would suck. That happened to me when I was younger and not only was I never anorexic, eating disorders are something that COMPLETELY baffle me. I just don’t get why anyone would willingly want to be skinny and attract all the negative attention that goes along with it. Can’t understand the eating disorderd mindset at all.
You can tell the woman is starving herself. Her is thin. She has bald patches. And the heavy make up is covering her unhealthy completing. She had reproduction issues. I doubt if the woman is still having a period. This is the same thing that Karen Carpenter went through and its alarming. If she was an alcoholic they would step in to help. This is no different.
Drives me crazy when people assume all thin women have eating disorders. I eat more than enough and still get rude comments. If you don’t person, it’s none of your business anyways.
@funcakes, she had cancer and sometimes the hair doesn’t come back very well. Meds I had to take made me lose my thick hair, and now I have thin with bald spots hair
@Annie – it’s not that people suffering from anorexia or bulimia just “want” to be thin, it’s a dangerous combination of mental and physical disorders. Things such as body dysmorphia, where even though they are painfully thin they “see” themselves as fat, any number of personality disorders (OCD, narcissistic PD, borderline PD, etc.) as well as low self-esteem, perfectionism, approval seeking, dependency, and problems with self-direction can trigger it. Even genetic factors and parental or school influences can bring on eating disorders. So you see it’s a very complex thing to diagnose, treat and cure and can be a life-long affliction that needs constant monitoring and therapy to control.
@maeliz ~ She has published what she eats, so we know that she’s not eating enough for her height. She also publicly has said that her doctor wanted her to gain 10 pounds in order to be healthy enough to conceive a child, and she only gained 5 because she didn’t want to gain more than that. They then used a surrogate.
So people aren’t just assuming when we think she’s anorexic.
@ Jaded – I’m sorry for your loss.
@ everyone – OCD conditions such as anorexia have been linked in some cases to having strep throat infections as a child. I’m hoping one day there will be a true cure.
She’s just jealous because Zendaya is slim and beautiful. She seems to shade other thin women…anyone else notice this?
@Jaded, so sorry for your loss. I’ve battled an eating disorder my entire adult life and am finally learing to love myself. When I see old pictures, I don’t even look like the same person. When you’re in the midst of this disorder, you just can’t SEE it. It’s traumatizing and maddening.
I had to throw out all the old pictures of me when I was in the worst of my ED because they were triggers.
Much empathy to my C/B pals who fight the ED battle.
@BengalCat2000 and Kitten – you both sound like wonderful, strong ladies who are brave enough to admit you had a problem but have had success dealing with it. Best of luck to you both in your continuing good health.
@ Kitten – I had to do the same with photos, as well as all my clothes from that time. Getting rid of triggers is hard but so important. Good for you for fighting through it and continued success in pursuing good health in all areas.
@BengalCat2000 – as you know, it’s a long fight but I know it can be won. So glad to hear you are finding the other side.
@Jaded. I’m also so truly sorry for your loss. Echoing your comments to all CB-ers who have been affected by eating disorders themselves or through loved ones. Best of luck, health & happiness to all.
@Jaded, thank you for your kind words, it’s great to see intelligent people whoget it.
@kitten and elizabeth, It never occurred to me to get rid of pictures. They are packed up and I haven’t put them on my computer… I thought it was because of the memories, but it’s because I still think I look good, which means I have a long way to go. You guys sound so awesome. Thanks so much for the support!
I hope that if GR does have a disorder, that she gets help. It’s difficult to look at her sometimes, and I don’t mean that in my usual bitchy tone.
Jaded- OCD and narcissistic personality disorder are not related. I have ocd so I should know. Eating disorders and ocd are related however. I also have an eating disorder. It’s like I have a compulsive need and obsession to stay thin and I barely eat. It sucks. But I’m still a happy person, and even though I eat not enough I eat healthy and I am healthy and still get my period.
@Adriana, I wasn’t saying that OCD and NPD are related, I was indicating that either one of them can be a part of the weird mix of issues that can trigger eating disorders. I wish you luck and health controlling your OCD and eating issues.
Thank you 🙂
I do think this has been a bit overblown. Was it stupid? Yes but it wasn’t racial. The patchouli oils makes it obvious that she was thought the girl looked like a hippie. Hippies are known for dreads, weed, and the patchouli. She still probably should have realized how it would be construed by some and not said it.
I think she was right to say that at times the intent is not as important as the result. This statement was directed at a specific person who took offense. I think that excuse would be more suited for someone who promotes or acknowledges living that lifestyle but even then why go there.
As a pot smoking hippie who used to rock dreds I’m offended- we do not all wear patchouli oil.
I have hung with a lot of hippies & pot smokers & I freakin’ hate patchouli. I’d rather have a joint blown in my face then sit next to someone wearing patchouli. That is offensive!
I agree…Maybe I just don’t understand because I’m not black but I don’t see how it was racist…I just got a dirty hippie stereotype from it.
This really does seem like much ado about nothing, I mean I got a dirty hippie vibe from her comment as well not something racist but clearly she stepped in it…
that’s what you get when you make a career out of making stupid vapid comments about other people’s hair and clothes
that’s what I thought
Agree totally.
Yes but being rational and using common sense isn’t inflammatory!!!
I do think she was going for hippie as well.
But let’s say for arguments sake it was racial. I doubt she was blatantly being racist or even realized she was being racist. Society and our culture stereotypes people with dreads as typically black, smoke weed, a bit disheveled etc. And that subconsciously can seep into your thinking and G may have said it with that intent and not even realized she was being insensitive–but more making a more generally accepted statement.
And also these aren’t even real. They’re fakies she had put in. It’s not like this is some lifelong statement she’s making or something. It’s literally weave.
I am truly curious why you keep using that as a form of defense.
So if the hair isn’t real it’s cool to insult people?
So the “dirty hippie” stereotype is fine (since it isn’t a racial but cultural prejudice), but hands off the racial stereotyping? It is STILL unwarranted, knee jerk profiling regardless of what group it is aimed against. Do I accept this as a sincere apology? Only in the damage control, save my career respect. She knew EXACTLY what she said and the effect it would have when she said it. There are far too many random, arbitrary things that artificially divide people~why is it so difficult to focus more on the things that we have in common, things that bring us closer together rather than drive us further apart? Truth be told, I am kinda disappointed at the comments I have read on this topic~I guess I expected more…enlightened…commentary than this “dirty hippie” drivel I have been reading.
very very valid point!
I totally agree! I’m disappointed at the comments here as well. Her comment was obviously intended to be insulting and had clear racial undertones. And I thought Rancic’s weak-ass, non-apology was lame
I think she sounds sincere. Hopefully she did learn an important lesson. Let’s see what Z says.
I don’t think she has to apologize. Her comment was not racist. My read was she alluding to all those white hippy chicks in dreads and patchouli. To me this is about Zendaya’s Dad/Manager writing a big letter to get his daughter attention for her faltering career.
Agreed. But she got her moment in the sun this week, so mission accomplished for her?
Smh
Sits next to bns.
Room for a third?
Y’all know where I’ve parked my behind.
*sits on mimif’s lap, like a fake baby (bird), opens mouth for white cheddar Cheez-its.*
I’m hungry and trolling.
Scoot over.
Seriously. (Rolls in the extended sofa, sits down)
Scoot over! I swear I can squeeze in (and I have cheez-it’s in my purse).
Well I brought my own folding chair so…
Plops down and sucks teeth.
I didn’t see her comment as racist either. I don’t know who Zendaya is, and I think she didn’t see the comment the way GR meant it. It was a good of her to apologize
I was wondering if G would comment that the white celebs all smelled like blow. See, clearly the only drug use that is offense is that stereotypically associated with people of color. White people doing blow – no big deal! The thing about racists is that they don’t realize they’re racist. But clearly you are if PoC using “weed” is to be trashed, but white people using blow is to be ignored.
Tons of whities smoke pot, just like tons of black people use cocaine. What a ridiculous statement.
I guess G didn’t want to comment on any drug use by white people – all the drug use you detail.
I wasn’t aware cocaine had an odor.
Get a grip, Buzz. You sound confused.
I got what you meant, buzz. Others may be burying their hand in the sand, but the analogy was appropriate.
What?! I live in a predominately white area & I’ve only ever seen blow once (I was 35) but almost everyone I know have been smoking pot recreationally since high school. I don’t think certain drugs equal certain races. Who do think is behind & using legal pot in Colorado, Washington & Oregon? Everyone! I seriously have never thought of pot as a drug for PoC. It’s equal opportunity. To be honest though- I’ve had the stereotype of blow being used by rich, white people, but they tend to also smoke weed.
Really good apology. To show us she is sincere, she will show more consideration of her remarks in the future. She was going for laughs and didn’t get them, rightfully so. It’s a good reminder that casual racism is prevalent and you really need to be mindful of other cultures, and other histories when you make comments like hers. She didn’t mean to offend, but she did and hopefully she learned her lesson.
I think what you are saying is correct, I don’t think she understood the undertones of her remarks.
So Kelly was threatening to quit because of the backlash Giulianna was getting or because people assumed she was the one who said weed, did she throw G Rancic under the bus?
I think they should all quit. When Joan Rivers was on, the show was half-way decent and at times funny. Now it seems they all want to be the mean girl, have become bitchy, and not funny at all. That’s why I don’t watch any more.
I wish kelly would quit. Who approved of her as a fashion commentator??
She tried to pull a Joan and FAILED!!!!!
She failed in that it wasn’t funny, but Joan Rivers was one of the most offensive people out there at times. It’s why she was pulled off the red carpet, and why she worked several different outlets for the last couple decades of her life. She’d really offend someone, she’d be taken off the air, move to a new show, amd eventually be re-hired when E! realized how terrible their replacements were. Joan and Melissa spent plenty of time in TV purgatory covering awards shows for the Tv Guide Channel.
Yes, this is true. Joan and Melissa did spend time in awards purgatory for offending some of the stars so much. And even in death they don’t forget. They didn’t even acknowledge her in the Oscar memorial.
Yep. Plus Zendaya is only 18 so it was especially stupid and mean to say. To basically accuse her of smelling like weed – **FOR THE REASON SHE WAS WEARING LOCS** – is racist. It is a racist comment. Period.
How is it racist if it’s because she associates that hairstyle with hippies? Hippies come in all races. I would see the issue here if she hadn’t said patchouli oil. That to me makes it obvious it wasn’t about the color of her skin.
Being in the business she is in, G should be conscious of the racist stereotypes surrounding locs and steer clear of them. See Chris Rock’s “Good Hair.”
@buzz , some people will never fully “get it” when it comes to these things so don’t even cramp your fingers trying to explain something that should at this point be common sense.
You say “smelling like weed” as if it’s some awful thing, dude.
Kitten: I think you smell wonderful! Wait- I’m hungry now.
@Rachel
Because Zendaya isn’t a hippie? Because absolutely nothing about her style of dress or attitude suggests hippie? Because she’s a young black girl with a hairstyle predominantly worn by other black people so 2 + 2 = 4 and not 18 like you’re trying to pretend?
I don’t like GR but it seems like a sincere apology.
I agree. We should remember what her job is & she did cross a line but I don’t think she knew it at the time. Glad she said she listened & learned from it. While we should all be accountable, I doubt she has had education on systemic racism, women’s studies, WoC, etc.
Now all Rancic has to do is meet with Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and her mea culpa will be complete.
lol–that’s what I was thinking, FingerBinger. Also, I’m wondering why Cate Blanchett hasn’t been called out for her clearly racist comment “Okey-dokey, smokey” when announcing the best actor award. On the other hand, maybe that was her subtle way of calling attention to the lack of diversity in Hollywood.
She sincerely wants to keep her job.
lol. this.
Seriously! She did not write this apology, she read it off the telepromptor. Her brain is starved for glucose, clearly. So sad.
I don’t follow Fashion Police so I am asking this in earnest: Joan Rivers has said worse and more offensive things and did she ever apologise or provoke criticism like this? Knowing myself I do have more tolerance for politically incorrect jokes than the average person, and I like Joan’s bitchy sense of humour. I have seen this Rancic person on telly but have no idea who she is.
She evoked a lot of criticism but could fall back on the fact that she was a comedian it was basically her job to make inappropriate comments. Rancic is a host not a comedian and on top of that the person addressed in the comment took offense and spoke about it. All that combined plus the fact that the media took the story and ran with it is probably why she felt the need to apologize.
Basically it was the fact she was old and old people say offensive shit oh stop it grandma haha pass the potatoes. That let her get away with it.
Yeah I was wondering about the outrage cos I was under the impression that offensive humour and snark was kinda the selling point of Fashion Police. But thanks for the clarification. 🙂
Her apology is lovely; especially in a world of non-apologies.
I do think her comment was ignorant and tinged with prejudice (after all, why criticize Zendaya and praise Kylie Lardassian?) but this apology acknowledges the situation and helps rectify it.
I’m surprised people are rushing to her defense to say it isn’t race related. Do we see her making those kinds of generalizations about hair styles typically seen on white women? Even if remove the drug commentary, there’s a long, ugly history of black women being shamed for their physical appearance and its “inferiority” to white beauty. If it wasn’t intentionally racist, it was certainly part of the underlying, subconscious prejudice that permeates American culture regarding black style choices. I can see why Kelly wanted to distance herself from that dialogue, even if I think there were more eloquent ways for her to phrase it.
Well put. And I think her apology is sincere, I hope Zendaya will publicly accept it, and I hope we can move on (I don’t think GR should lose her job–not for this anyway).
Plus other girls had had dreads and she called it “edgy”. But now that it was Zendaya, here we go with the comments
Yup. If everything done on a white person is awesome but suddenly terrible if on a black person then we can follow the clues and figure out the missing subtext.
Well said.
Yes. Latent biases are a bytch.
Not sincere because she is only doing it because of the 24 hr ultimatum issued by Kelly. She was prob forced to issue an apology from execs. Rancic doesnt want the blame for anyone leaving the show for her actions or lack of, which would turn this into a bigger ordeal for her. Has she reached out to Zendaya personally also instead of only these public apologies? Hmm
I’m sure it has nothing to do with Kelly – who basically inserted herself in to the situation, despite saying she didn’t want to be dragged into it. Does it have to do with the execs? Absolutely. This is bad publicity for essentially the face of E News and a ton of red carpet stuff. But let’s be real, Kelly holds no power over Fashion Police or Rancic’s job at E. Not many people would be sad to see Kelly go.
I’m calling bullshit as well. Everyone was saying how shitty her “apology” was yesterday, obviously she had to do better.
Sometimes people say things “in the moment” and then only after it’s out of their mouth that perhaps that realize how badly it can be construed. I think it happens to all of us. Hopefully it will be a wake up call to all the Fashion Police folks to pause for a second before making certain comments.
On a similar note, I wonder how G would feel if other shows starting outright calling her anorexic and making stereotypical judgments based solely on appearance and not facts? Just based on appearances alone, I DO think the Zendaya looks lovely, and I also happen to think that G has an eating disorder (also based on G’s comments during her Bill & G Show), but I would never outright say that she’s anorexic/bulimic/etc. without hearing from her Dr.
I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and say it was sincere. Sometimes people do learn things because of a public backlash (e.g. Rio Ferdinand (English soccer player) and the use of an epithet against gays a decade or so ago).
Lol Kelly id like to see you quit. No one else would want you. Seriously girl, where would you go? Dont like G and E has the most annoying panels (Ross Matthews makes me cringe) but that was a well done apology. Not totally convinced there needed to be one either.
And what is Kelly imagining she will do if she QUITS!!! the E! ?
The bigger question is would anyone really care if Kelly quit or if she’s never heard from again?
I know I wouldnt. I’ve never watched their show so I dont know if it’s really popular or not but I think Kelly always thinks of herself as a bigger “star” than she really is, and that’s if you could consider her one at all. That said, I think they need to give GR time off not b/c of this but b/c she is getting so thin she is painful to look at. The girl needs help..stat!
The biggest question is WHO added “..or weed.”?????!!!!!!
I don’t think it would be very clever to threaten to quit a job that doesn’t need you at all. Kelly is threatening to quit? Girl bye. I barely noticed you were on it. And not because you’re a fashion expert but more about family connections.
They should just wrap up Fashion Police already.
Without Joan thet show has no reason to exist. They keep making nasty remarks on people they worship the day before the show on the red carpet.
I think G’s aplogy was sincere. I agree that fashion police should no longer be on the air. There’s no chemistry between them. The show was good because of Joan Rivers. George was great too.
Zendaya looked beautiful as I said before.
Rancic woman is stupid, she praised the White gloves when she was at the GG event how beautiful it looked and then bashes the same white gloves on Fashion Police next day. Think before you say something, may be this will teach you a lesson not to run your mouth next time as if you know everything about fashion or culture.
Wow, Kelly’s spelling is atrocious.
If she wanted to stay out of it and not be “draged” into it, why comment on twitter at all? Talk about it with the producers or whoever. The need for attention from some of these Hollywood people, sheesh!
She sterotyped African Americans who wear locs. She also stereotyped pot-smokers IMO. Since when are African American people or those with dreads the only ones that smoke weed? I must have been adopted.
Smh @ some of these comments.
When folks of a marginalized group tell you they’re offended, you don’t get to say it’s not that serious, just hush and learn something.
The entitlement I’m reading…
Preach!
@The Other Maria
Thank you! Exactly!
I’m beyond people like her and Cucumberbach with their “Opps! Apologizies”. Some of them might as well end their PR released statements with the hash tags #SorryNotSorry. #MyAgentWroteThis
Lmao @ #MyAgentWroteThis
Standing ovation!!!
THANK YOU!!!
I think she probably said what she said to be funny and didn’t think that it would be taken this way. I think its getting more attention b/c Zendaya responded and Kelly is her friend. I think I’ve heard a lot worse on that show. I think b/c her hair is not real she probably said it. I think if it was her real hair she may not have said it. I really don’t think Guilana gave it a lot of thought and considered it racist by any means and would have said it in a racist manner. I think its getting way overblown. I mean I’ve heard a lot worse on the show or even on other shows. I’ve heard worse on cable news programs. I also think Kelly shouldn’t be on the show anyways and let’s be honest she wouldn’t be on there if her parents weren’t famous.
See the above comment.
Also: Obtuse-look it up.
And I’m getting tired of people saying “I’ve heard worse”, as if that somehow minimizes or negates the effect of her comment. So because you’ve heard worse this is not really something anyone should take offense to? A young black woman took offense to a racially insensitive remark that was aimed specifically at her. Neither you or I, nor anyone else on this forum gets to tell her that it wasn’t that big of a deal and she shouldn’t be offended.
I really don’t think she meant her comments to be racist, but once she got flack about it, she either read a little bit or talked to people who educated her about the history of racism regarding black hair. That’s why she mentioned that she learned a lot. So, good for her. It’s a positive step when someone actually takes the time to consider that they said something that hurts people far more than they realized. Anyone here who is baffled by the racism charges can do five minutes of reading via google and instantly learn the history for themselves. If you do this, you will no longer be baffled by this seemingly out of nowhere charge of racism. You may not agree, but the racial insensitivity charges are not coming out of nowhere.
I also endorse Chris Rock’s great documentary “Good Hair.” I just saw it a few weeks ago. I learned a lot about how much the black community can suffer to attain “good hair.” I thought dealing with my naturally curly hair was hard!
this is sooooo blown out of proportion. I do not think in any way, shape or form she meant this as a racial dig. she was making fun of hippies. give me a break. if she was white this wouldn’t even be an issue. so how is THAT not hypocritical? it only counts if the person is African American? God, spare me. the entire show is a big joke. they make fun of everybody. I am not a fan of hers, but I don not think she was being prejudice or profiling anyone. it was a joke. we are all so active from our computers, we need to start putting some of that energy back into the world and be positive. I think this whole situation is BS. I have friends who are from every ethnic background and they did not take what she said as offensive. give me a break. this is so blown out of proportion. I’m sorry but I think this is ridiculous.
It’s funny how everyone keeps using hippies as a defense.
What about Zendaya’s style on that day has ANYTHING to do with hippies?
Nothing. Now. I know some white people believe they invented everything but locs are predominantly worn by black individials. You saw a hairstyle that’s worn on black people with absolutely no connection to hippies and immediately went to your only go-to reference? Which was hippies? And that’s your defense for someone using other qualities that are also used to insult black people?
Come on now…
Exactly. Trading one marginalized group out for the verbal offense is just s bad as attacking the other group. Do people really not see the utter hypocrisy in saying “dirty hippie”, which is JUST as bad as saying “dirty black”? Why is one prejudice better than another? Get a grip, people~realize that “dirty hippie” is JUST as prejudiced.
Racist? It is not even her real hair. She was making a hippie joke not a black joke. Whoever this Z person is she must be loving the attention.
“It’s not even her real hair”
Oh it’s not??? OMG!!! Thank goodness! I mean so long as it’s fake it’s totally cool to insult her about it!!! The only time it’s acceptable is when ‘edgy’ white girls wear fake dreads! That’s super-awesome, now if it’s fake locs on an black girl. Psssh. She should stop whining!
Im not using hippies as a defense, in this instance i believe THAT is what she was referring to. Not every comment is about race. My God. People are so quick to throw race in the mix. They make fun of everybody. Im not saying that race issues dont exist, cmon already. And if we are going to go down that road then they are all prejudiced, including the people that laughed. Its so blown up. And who is this girl to assume that her intentions were racist? Thats BS. why is every caucasian person racist? My daughter loves Zendaya and so do i. She is a smart, together, articulate, mature role model for all girls. Ive never once said oh and she is African American. Youre either a good soul or youre not. Period.
It doesn’t matter how she meant it. It matters very much how it was taken and that it did offend. Isn’t a good part of racism ignorance? Not realizing how stupid we are? People don’t get a pass because they had no malicious intent. It is the ignorance that offends – not necessarily the intent. I don’t think it’s necessary to serve her head on a platter, but she did need to be called out and she did owe an apology. She gave a nice apology and seems to have learned from her mistake. If I didn’t realize someone was right behind me when a left a store and I let the door slam in someone’s face, there was no malicious intent, but I still owe that person an apology. We can’t go around saying hurtful things and expecting hugs because we didn’t mean to be hurtful. Some lessons in life are humbling. They make us better people.
^^
This comment sfm. People here tsk, tsking that it shouldn’t matter because of a litany of reasons: She is just looking for fame/attention, people are nitpicking, the dreads are fake, dread ARE smelly, and the ever popular, “I have black friends/ethnic friends and THEY weren’t offended!”. IGNORANCE is the word of the day.
All of this but some people want to pretend differently, it’s easier when something doesn’t effect you and when you can fantasize that there’s no hurtful subtext. People don’t want to be called ignorant, but at a certain point I’m not sure what else to call them when they choose passionately to be uninformed.
Yes, Amy, CHOOSING passionately to be uniformed. That is what is so frustrating to me in this whole thread. People are being willfully obtuse about not even trying to understand that it is not about the INTENT of GR’s statement.
On another note: this is what Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been talking about in her book “Americanah” – hair is not a simple thing anymore. What are the chances of acing a job interview if someone who’s hair isn’t growing down decides not to use a relaxant that day?
I really think she was sincere. It was a great apology!
Whether to save her job or because she really was surprised at the uproar her comment caused.
Great blind on Blind Gossip about Kelly!
I give her credit for giving a real authentic apology and not falling back on that “If you were offended”. I’m going stay positive and give her the benefit of the doubt. I hope she and others learned something about the words they say and the little microaggresions lingering in their minds.
OMG did others see Zendaya’s response to Rancic’s apology?
I’m in awe of this girl! So well thought out, so intelligent! I have so much respect for this young lady and am glad to see her given this stage to be a figure for younger children.
Seriously, I’m dead ya’ll.
I believe her publicist was sincere.
It’s a good apology. It’s better than the one she wrote on her own, which was more ~srry u were mad~ I’m glad they addressed it further, rather than just ending it on that note.
G. should have been careful with what she said in the first place. “nuf said!!!!!!!!!!
There’s something floating around today that G only said patchouli and Kathy Griffin said ‘and weed’. I wonder if that’s what Kelly is referring to? She’s still a twat though.
I didn’t even see it as a racist comment AT ALL. People of every color have dreads and they are often associated with “hippies,” as are patchouli oil and pot, and that was ALL I thought she meant. This apology sounded sincere and like she was truly upset, but I honestly don’t even see how this turned into a race thing at all. Am I a dumbass? Am I missing something? I also didn’t actually see the video of this, so maybe it’s a context thing I’m missing. Either way, this apology seemed sincere (and like she actually wrote it) and it’s of course sad that anyone was hurt through what I think truly was a misunderstanding.
I don’t know, though. When I was much, much younger I had dreads as did several of my friends and damn it if I didn’t smell like patchouli (still often do) and, often, weed.
You’re right that the patchouli reference is connected more to white or at least western hippies, not the orginial people who had dreadlocks. It took me a while to figure it out but I believe it’s offensive because
a: making fun of a hairstyle which was originally on black people (Jamaican? Sorry I’m not looking it up now but black regardless) because we associate it with a certain “less desirable” or “off centre” (and not pleasant smelling?!) type of white person
And
B: these days everyone should know that it’s not kosher to make almost any comment about African hair, including styles copied from it. It’s an offensive mine field. Unless it’s a polite and superficial comment don’t get into it with black people about their hair and don’t overly praise OR insult white people about their hair if there is any link to “black ” hair styles.
First off Zendaya is beautiful, I love her locks and her response to Gui was amazing and powerful. Gui made a idiot of herself, I can’t with that lady, with how she looks and ironically on a show criticizing others. Start with yourself because it’s horrible to look at and concerning.
Kelly O biggest idiot of them all. All caps, atrocious spelling, one tweet saying she doesn’t want to be dragged into this and then in the next tweet involving herself center stage, demanding that everyone involved has 24 hours to make it right. Shes such a hack.
Another no talent hack that made a name for herself because of her surname and her loud potty mouth.
I had no idea this was even a racial stereotype. Dreads = pot smoking hippies in my world (and I love dreads!).