Zendaya Says Vons Grocery Store Clerk Refused Her Service Because of ‘Skin Tone’

“Spider-Man: Homecoming” star says employee threw her wallet back at her when the actress tried to buy $400 worth of gift cards

Zendaya in Spider Man
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Zendaya is outraged that a Vons grocery store clerk refused to sell her gift cards because of her “skin tone.”

According to the New York Daily News, the the Disney Channel alum vented about the incident in a series of Snapchat videos on Tuesday.

“So we just got out of this Vons. Now, I’m trying to buy a lot of gift cards … there are certain limits and some things, which is understandable; OK, cool,” the Disney Channel alum said in a series of Snapchat videos on Tuesday, according to the New York Daily News. “But the lady that was helping us, I don’t think she was a huge fan of our skin tone.”

According to the actress, who most recently booked a major role in Marvel’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” the sales associate threw Zendaya’s wallet and deliberately refused to help her.

“In fact, I recall her not trying to help us at all, saying that we couldn’t buy the gift cards, and then throwing my wallet … I just can’t make this s–t up,” she added. “And she was like, ‘You can’t afford this’ was how she looked at me. It was $400!”

According to People, the manager of the store later helped Zendaya purchase the gift cards.

“Long story short, there’s so much progress to be done in our world,” added Zendaya.

This isn’t the first time Zendaya has found herself in the midst of racial controversy. Just last month, when TheWrap reported exclusively that she would be playing Mary Jane Watson in “Homecoming,” there were a number of “Spider-Man” fans who were upset that the iconic comic book character was not being played by a white redhead.

In June, she allegedly dropped her publicist because of racially insensitive remarks during a photoshoot.

And last year, Giuliana Rancic said Zendaya’s dreadlocks smelled “like patchouli oil and weed” during a red carpet appearance.

“There is already harsh criticism of African-American hair in society without the help of ignorant people who choose to judge others based on the curl of their hair,” Zendaya wrote about the incident.

Rancic later apologized.

A representative for Vons has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.

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