Disney star Zendaya has slammed Fashion Police for their racist comments. Photo / AP
Zendaya has hit back at Giuliana Rancic after she claimed the singer smelled of weed just because she has dreadlocks.
The Fashion Police host made the comments on Monday night while critiquing the starlet's outfit from Sunday's Academy Awards.
She said: ''I feel like she smells smells like patchouli oil... or maybe weed."
The 18-year-old reacted furiously on Twitter, accusing the E! anchor of being "ignorant, disrespectful and outrageously offensive".
"There is a fine line between what is funny and disrespectful," she wrote. "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.
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.
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!!!"
- Daily Mail
The Australian site cited a 'heightened threat level' as the issue.