Kelly Osbourne reportedly left E!'s "Fashion Police" due to the cable network's way of handling Giuliana Rancic's comments on Zendaya Coleman's dreadlocked hairstyle at the Oscars.
It will be recalled that "Fashion Police" co-host Giuliana Rancic made remarks during a post-Academy Awards episode about Zendaya's dreadlocks, saying the Disney starlet's hair probably smelled like "patchouli" or "weed." The comment was met with widespread criticism, with some calling it "racist" or "socially insensitive," Variety said. Rancic has since made a public apology for the "offensive" remarks.
However, the comment apparently is not the real cause of Osbourne's departure. The TV personality is claimed to be "furious" over how E! handled the backlash following Zendaya's dreadlocks joke, the New York Post's Six Page reported. "Kelly left not from the [comment] itself, but because of how Giuliana and the network handled it," the publication quoted the source as saying.
The source revealed that the outspoken TV star was particularly furious at Rancic's claim that Osbourne did not say anything against the comment during the taping of the show, where the Zendaya hair joke was repeated several times. Osbourne insisted that she had objected each time, the publication stated.
Just a few days following the stir, E! announced the departure of Osbourne. The network confirmed on Feb. 27, Friday that Osbourne, who had been hosting the show since 2010, was leaving "to pursue other opportunities." In a statement, the network thanked the TV host "for her many contributions to the series over the past five years, during which time the show became a hit with viewers."
There have been speculations however that Osbourne was, in fact, forced to leave. Several sources told Radar that the TV star was let go and "was given the option to quit or be fired."
"The network stands behind Giuliana and are furious that Kelly bashed her and the show," one source explained. "They feel she threw Giuliana under the bus when she really needed her support."
Despite the controversy, Fashion Police will return as scheduled on March 30. No decisions have been made yet about Osbourne's replacement, according to E!'s spokesperson.
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