Giuliana Rancic joked on TV that Zendaya’s Oscar dreadlocks made her look like she smelled of “patchouli oil, or maybe weed,” which many people (including Zendaya) called out as offensive and stereotypical.

What Did Giuliana Rancic Say About Zendaya?

Quick Scoop

In 2015, after the Oscars, Giuliana Rancic commented on Zendaya’s red-carpet look during an episode of Fashion Police. Zendaya was 18 at the time and wore a white gown with long locs.

Rancic said on air that Zendaya had a “tiny frame” and that her dreadlocks “overwhelm” her, adding that she felt like Zendaya “smells like patchouli oil, or maybe weed.” Those remarks sparked immediate backlash for echoing harmful stereotypes about Black hair and locs.

The key quote people still reference: Rancic said Zendaya’s locs made her look like she smelled of “patchouli oil, or maybe weed.”

Why It Became a Big Deal

Zendaya responded publicly, saying the comments were “outrageously offensive” and a “large stereotype,” and that such remarks about an 18‑year‑old with locs could not go unchecked. She highlighted how jokes framed as “funny” can still reinforce racist ideas.

After the backlash, Rancic issued multiple apologies, including an on‑air statement saying her words “crossed the line” and that she was “so, so sincerely sorry” to Zendaya and anyone hurt. She later said the joke had been edited in a way that made it sound worse, but she still acknowledged the damage it caused.

What Rancic Meant vs How It Was Heard

Rancic said she had intended to reference a “bohemian chic” vibe and that her comments had “nothing to do with race,” but she accepted that intent doesn’t erase the impact. Zendaya and many viewers focused on the result: the comments played into long‑standing stereotypes around locs, “smell,” and weed.

This incident has since been discussed as a turning point in how red‑carpet and “fashion snark” shows talk about Black hair and cultural identity on television. Zendaya has later reflected on it as a moment where she chose to use her voice and knowledge to push for change.

Mini Timeline

  1. Oscars night (2015): Zendaya appears with locs on the red carpet.
  1. Fashion Police airs: Rancic makes the “patchouli oil or maybe weed” joke about Zendaya’s hair.
  1. Zendaya’s response: She posts a statement calling the remarks ignorant, disrespectful, and stereotypical.
  1. Public backlash: Viewers and media criticize the comments as racially insensitive.
  1. Rancic’s apologies: She apologizes on Twitter and then on air, saying the joke crossed the line and that she’s learned about the harm of clichés and stereotypes.

Extra Context & “Latest News” Angle

Even years later, interviews still reference this moment when discussing Zendaya’s advocacy around representation and respect for Black hair. Rancic’s career arc is also often retold with this controversy as a major turning point that forced a re‑evaluation of how she approached on‑air commentary.

Key Facts (Quick Bullet List)

  • Comment was made on E!’s Fashion Police after the 2015 Oscars.
  • Rancic said Zendaya’s locs made her look like she smelled of “patchouli oil, or maybe weed.”
  • Zendaya called the remarks “outrageously offensive” and a stereotype.
  • Rancic apologized publicly on air and on social media.
  • The moment is now seen as a case study in how “jokes” can reinforce racial stereotypes about Black hair.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.