Kelly Osbourne Quits 'Fashion Police': Was It Because of Giuliana's Zendaya Comments?
by Andy Neuenschwander
"Fashion Police" is down another member.
Kelly Osbourne, who has served as a panelist for the E! celebrity fashion program, has quit the show and will not appear on Monday's upcoming episode.
"Kelly Osbourne is departing E!'s Fashion Police to pursue other opportunities, and we would like to thank her for her many contributions to the series over the past five years, during which time the show became a hit with viewers," E! said in a statement. "Fashion Police will return as scheduled on Monday, March 30, at 9 p.m., and no decisions have been made on her replacement."
While an official reason wasn't given for Osbourne's departure, it comes right on the heels of an incident in which co-host Giuliana Rancic made off-the-cuff comments about Disney star Zendaya Coleman's hair.
The comments came as Rancic was reviewing celebrities' Oscars looks after the event's red carpet and said that Coleman, who had her hair in dreadlocks at the time, looked like she smelled "like patchouli or weed."
Coleman herself called Rancic out on the comments on Twitter, and Rancic quickly offered an apology. However, throughout the incident Osbourne has been ranting on Twitter as messages from fans poured in, seemingly accusing her of racism by association.
"I WILL NOT BE DRAGED [sic] INTO THIS!" Osbourne wrote. "The situation is being rectified like ADULTS by both parties. I hope you can leave it to them & do the same!"
Osbourne seemed to waver between defending Rancic and undercutting her. "Im giving everyone involved 24 hours to make it right or the world will hear how I really feel. contactually [sic] Im not allowed to speak!" she said, followed by an all-caps clarification: "I DID NOT MAKE THE WEED COMENT. I DO NOT CONDONE RACISM SO AS A RSULT OF THIS IM SEREIOULSY QUESTIONONIG STAYING ON THE SHOW!"
It seemed as though it had all blown over as of Wednesday, though, when Osbourne tweeted, "It takes a strong women to apologize & makes a forgiving women even stronger! #ThisTooShallPass." However, the tension must have still been present as Osbourne left the show anyway.
It is unclear as to whether Osbourne will continue covering red carpet events with the network, which Rancic also does in tandem. As for "Fashion Police," the show is still reeling from the loss of Joan Rivers and has been suffering in ratings since the show returned on Monday nights with new co-host Kathy Griffin.