24 February 2015
Kelly Osbourne says she played no part in the Zendaya scandal that has left her Fashion Police co-host Giuliana Rancic tarnished.
The 30-year-old branded the incident, which occurred on Monday during an Oscars special, as racist and has threatened to quit the E! show if direct action is not taken by the network to resolve the situation.
Furor erupted online after Rancic claimed 18-year-old Zendaya smelled of patchouli just because she has dreadlocks.
Distancing herself: Kelly Osbourne says she played no part in the Zendaya scandal that has left her Fashion Police co-host Giuliana Rancic tarnished, pictured on Sunday at the Academy Awards
The comments went further on the Academy Awards special when the show cut to a picture of the singer on the red carpet - a voice off camera could be heard saying that the Disney star smelled like 'weed'.
Many have claimed that the ignorant comment was not made by Rancic - who has been roundly slammed in the past 24 hours - but was in fact her co-host Kelly.
But on Tuesday the daughter of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne took to Twitter to defend herself.
'Zendaya is my friend': The daughter of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne took to Twitter to defend herself
'I DID NOT MAKE THE WEED COMENT (sic),' she wrote. 'I DO NOT CONDONE RACISM SO AS A RSULT OF THIS IM SEREIOULSY QUESTIONONIG STAYING ON THE SHOW!'
Adding: '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!'
'you guys do realize that @Zendaya is my friend right?'
'Im giving everyone involved 24 hours to make it right or the world will hear how I really feel,' Kelly continued in another tweet. 'contactually Im not allowed to speak!'
Offended: Zendaya, pictured at the Academy Awards on Sunday, lashed out at Giuliana Rancic on Monday following a 'disrespectful' comment about her hair
Other celebs came out to support Zendaya after she hit back at Rancic with a social media note of her own.
Chloë Grace Moretz wrote: '@Zendaya people need to grow up, realize it's 2015, and act like it. Beautifully written'.
'Well done Beautiful. XO,' Kerry Washington tweeted.
'You're beautiful, Queen,' Ava DuVernay posted on the microblogging site, 'We bless the ignorant and wish them well. Onward. xo'.
Police brutality: The moment Fashion Police star Giuliana said Zendaya looks like she 'smelled of weed' because of her dreadlocks on Monday night's show
And even Khloe Kardashian weighed in, tweeting: '@Zendaya you are a gorgeous, intelligent young lady! I love all that you represent! Keep empowering and shine bright!'
While India Arie wrote an entire blog post, beginning with the introduction: 'I wanted to jump in and defend Zendaya – but she's doing that BEAUTIFULLY herself. VERY. WELL. DONE.'
'It's a powerful thing to be a TEENAGER in the public eye, and feel empowered to speak up in your own defense. STUNNING!'
Proud: The singer said she wore the dreadlocks to showcase them in a positive light
In her own post Zendaya wrote: '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.
'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.'
The Disney star then listed a number of personal luminaries who wear dreadlocks, and included her father, brother, best friend and little cousins.
Furious: The starlet said there was 'harsh criticism of African American hair in the society'
She claimed there was 'already harsh criticism of African American hair in society without the help of others who chose to judge people based on the curl of their hair.'
She demanded Rancic 'contemplate a little before opening your mouth so quickly to judge'.
'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,' She added.
Locked Luminaries: Zendaya wrote a lengthy list of respected people who have dreadlocks, none of whom 'smell of marijuana'
Sorry: Rancic apologised but refused to admit she had said anything racist
Zedaya's fans were quick to support her on Twitter, with some posting demands for apologies from E!, while other posted funny memes.
However the 40-year-old tv personality apologised, for offending her, but refuted claims what she had said was racist.
'Dear @Zendaya, I'm sorry I offended you and others,' she tweeted. 'I was referring to a bohemian chic look. Had NOTHING to do with race and NEVER would!!!'
RANCIC RALLIES FOR RIVERS
Zendaya wasn't the only entity Giuliana had a go at - she also flipped the bird at the entire Academy for leaving Fashion Police Commissioner Joan Rivers out of the In Memoriam segment during Sunday's Oscars.
'Screw them anyway for leaving Joan out of the In Memoriam segment,' She said brandishing both middle fingers. 'So f**k you, Oscar.'
Rancic's sudden outburst came without warning as she was criticizing the Academy for the white photo backdrop it provided, which prevented Lupita Nyong'o's white gown from 'popping'. 'Let's all blame them. Let's blame them for everything,' she shouted.
Her fashion police co-hosts Kelly Osbourne, Brad Goreski - and the audience - cheered in agreement, while Kathy Griffin added it was a 'miss' for the Academy.
'She was in feature films and I thought that was an odd miss,' she added. 'It's almost like even posthumously, she's still a rebel.'