Born in United States · Nationality American — Film / television / fashion / representation

Zendaya

Documented profile covering 5 controversies, including “2014: Controversy over Aaliyah biopic and Zendaya's withdrawal from Lifetime project” and “2015: Giuliana Rancic's remark about her dreadlocks and denunciation of racial stereotyping”.

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Profile No. 1531 · Updated on 12 October 2026

5Documented controversies

6Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

January–February 2021

2021: Debate over age gap with John David Washington in 'Malcolm & Marie'

No legal proceedings

The age difference of approximately twelve years between Zendaya and John David Washington prompted criticism of their casting as romantic partners in 'Malcolm & Marie'.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 1

[1]
Us WeeklyZendaya addresses backlash over age gap with Malcolm & Marie co-starPressMedium reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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June–July 2021

2021: Fan criticism of her voice performance as Lola Bunny in 'Space Jam: A New Legacy'

No legal proceedings

Zendaya's voice casting and the new characterisation of Lola Bunny attracted criticism from fans, some objecting to her vocal performance or changes made to the character.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 1

[1]
The IndependentZendaya responds to Lola Bunny Space Jam criticismPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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February 2015

2015: Giuliana Rancic's remark about her dreadlocks and denunciation of racial stereotyping

No legal proceedings

After the Oscars, Giuliana Rancic said on air that Zendaya's dreadlocks made her seem as though she 'smells like patchouli oil or weed'. Zendaya responded with a statement condemning a racist stereotype associated with Black hairstyles.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The Washington PostZendaya blasts Fashion Police host Giuliana Rancic's 'ignorant' red-carpet disPressVery high reliability
[2]
The Washington PostGiuliana Rancic apologizes to Zendaya over 'weed' dis on Fashion PolicePressVery high reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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October 2015

2015: Denounces retouching of her figure in Modeliste; magazine withdraws issue

No legal proceedings

Zendaya published original and retouched photographs side by side to show that her hips and torso had been made slimmer, criticising unrealistic body standards.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The Washington PostFashion magazine pulls issue after being reprimanded by style icon ZendayaPressVery high reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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June 2014

2014: Controversy over Aaliyah biopic and Zendaya's withdrawal from Lifetime project

No legal proceedings

The selection of Zendaya to portray Aaliyah in a Lifetime television film prompted strong opposition from fans and relatives of the late singer, particularly because her family was not involved.

Sources · 1

[1]
CBS News / APZendaya pulls out of Lifetime's controversial Aaliyah biopicNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.