Giuliana Rancic apologized to Zendaya Coleman and others she offended by her comments made on Fashion Police about the actress-singer’s Oscar-night dreadlocks.
Giuliana Rancic told E! News Tuesday that the reaction generated from her comments has increased her awareness of “cliches and stereotypes.”
“They are damaging,” she said, adding that she and others have the responsibility to avoid perpetuating them.
The uproar came after Rancic said that Zendaya Coleman’s hair suggested the smell of patchouli oil or marijuana on Monday’s Fashion Police.
“I’d really like to address something that is weighing very heavy on my heart,” said Rancic. “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.”
.@GiulianaRancic Issues On-Air Apology for 'Offensive' @Zendaya Dreadlocks Comment (Video) http://t.co/NF140QR6Ea pic.twitter.com/KMjeXut7qP
— TheWrap (@TheWrap) February 25, 2015
“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,” she said.
“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 clichés 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.”
Giuliana Rancic took to Twitter earlier in the day to say that her comments had nothing to do with race.
Dear @Zendaya, I'm sorry I offended you and others. I was referring to a bohemian chic look. Had NOTHING to do with race and NEVER would!!!
— Giuliana Rancic (@GiulianaRancic) February 24, 2015
Giuliana Rancic’s post came after Zendaya Coleman, 18, whose father is African American, called Rancic’s Fashion Police comment about her dreadlocks “outrageously offensive.”
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