Though Zendaya Coleman is at the tail end of a controversy with E!’s Fashion Police after co-host Giuliana Rancic‘s comments about her dreadlocks, the former Disney star, 18, is actually a former friend and guest host of the show.
On Wednesday, Feb. 25, executive producer Melissa Rivers shared a sweet photo of Zendaya sitting on the lap of the show’s late host and her mother Joan Rivers.
#TBT We @e_FashionPolice have nothing but love for @Zendaya then and now. A repeat guest host. #MelRivers #JoanRivers,” she captioned the shot.
The style-centric show has been making headlines ever since Rancic commented, “I feel like she smells like patchouli oil,” and another voice was heard adding, “Or weed!” as the show’s hosts were discussing Zendaya’s dreadlocks on the Oscars red carpet.
The singer and actress shot back with a lengthy Instagram message, writing, “There is a fine line between what is funny and disrespectful. 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.”
Rancic apologized both on Twitter and on camera during a segment of E! News, saying, “Something I said last night did cross the line. I didn’t intend to hurt anybody, but I’ve learned it’s not my intent that matters, it’s the result.”
Her co-host Kelly Osbourne, who had been outspoken about her opposition, tweeting, “I DO NOT CONDONE RACISM,” followed up her strong stance with appreciation for Rancic’s comments.
“It takes a strong women to apologize & makes a forgiving women even stronger! #ThisTooShallPass,” she tweeted.
Joan Rivers’ replacement, Kathy Griffin, has yet to publicly comment on the controversy. Rivers passed away unexpectedly in September 2014 after suffering complications from a minor throat surgery.
