Zendaya thanked parents for allowing her to be a role model for their children during her acceptance speech at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday, but comedian Julie Klausner sees her as a different kind of model for kids. The "Difficult People" star called the 19-year-old actress a "thinspo model" and argued she's making more of an unhealthy impression on tweens.
Klausner's Twitter rant came in response to a story about Zendaya's acceptance speech. She began with a few tweets on Saturday night and picked it up again Sunday morning.
And thinspo model for your impressionable tweens https://t.co/ZUwTcgoQml
— Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) March 13, 2016
Zendaya's ultimate retort to Giuliana Rancic is starving herself down to the size of one of her elbowz — Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) March 13, 2016
You don't have to have an eating disorder to attend the Kids' Choice Awards....but it helps! — Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) March 13, 2016
Her biggest argument was for young female stars to perpetrate more realistic beauty standards. She tweeted her greatest concern was for the girls who aspire to look like Zendaya and not whether Zendaya is healthy.
I will never stop criticizing celebs who perpetuate dangerous beauty standards for a generation of girls who grow up thinking they're fat. — Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) March 13, 2016
And you know those public fat shamers who fake "concern" for Melissa McCarthy's health? Consider me your fire with fire. — Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) March 13, 2016
I'm concerned with the generation of girls who aspire to look like Zendaya. I do not worry about Zendaya's health or care whether she eats. — Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) March 13, 2016
FYI Zendaya and her fans are angry bc I insinuated this isn't a healthy look. The end. https://t.co/ZUwTcgoQml — Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) March 13, 2016
Zendaya picked up an orange blimp for Favorite Female TV Star in a Kids' Show for her lead role in Disney Channel's "K.C. Undercover." She thanked her fans and expressed how it important it is for her to make "positive programming" for young people.
"This means so, so much to me," she said. "I've been doing this for a long time, and I do it for you guys. I just want you to know that doing and making positive programming for young people is so important to me, and I will keep doing it."
She continued, "To all the parents out there, thank you for allowing me to be a role model for your children. I really, really do not take that for granted."
Zendaya responded to Klausner via Twitter on Sunday morning. She also encouraged all girls to "look in the mirror at their beautiful body."
Do you find this funny? I will write another paragraph to educate you aswell #youreallywannabenext? https://t.co/z6dXOJ3Tai — Zendaya (@Zendaya) March 13, 2016
Now....everyone go look in the mirror at their beautiful body, and love that shit #thickgirlswinning #skinnygirlswinning #weallwinning — Zendaya (@Zendaya) March 13, 2016
The "Zenhive," as Klausner referred to Zendaya's fans, swiftly came to their favorite star's defense against the 37-year-old comedian, who continued to coax them with more infuriating tweets.
Since you love attacking children, @julieklausner are you upset that Difficult People wasn't nominated for a KCA????? — Matt :^) (@TheHumanMatt) March 13, 2016
I've accepted it. It's a struggle every day, but I'm up to stage 5 on the Kübler-Ross? https://t.co/werkldF1hU
— Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) March 13, 2016
@julieklausner you're a hypocrite. Your bio says you have 'lots of love to give' but all I'm seeing is hate. — kelly (@kelmariee_) March 13, 2016
Ok...NOW I'm logging off. Zenhive = Algonquin Round Tabler's https://t.co/ZbhSKYEDAl
— Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) March 13, 2016
Klausner didn't log off for long. She extended an "olive branch" to the Zendaya lovers and then came back later on Sunday to say she wouldn't apologize or delete any other her previous tweets.
Let's not fight. Here is my olive branch to Zendaya fans- can we just all agree that 1) all women are beautiful and 2) Zendaya hates Jews? — Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) March 13, 2016
For those who have spoken to me respectfully about post-racialist bias....
— Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) March 13, 2016
...I won't apologize, non-apologize, delete tweets, backpedal or refuse to own my shit. BUT- I will be more thoughtful going forward. /end — Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) March 13, 2016
