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

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.”

Also Read: Spider-Man Creator Stan Lee Says Zendaya Will Be 'Absolutely Wonderful' as Mary Jane

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.

Also Read: Fans Mostly Cheer Zendaya's Casting as Key 'Spider-Man' Character - Except for Some Racist Trolls

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.

Jesse Williams' Outspoken History of Racial Activism (Photos)

Jesse Williams went viral with an impassioned speech at the BET Awards last week, resulting in some minor controversy and criticism from those calling it "racist." But that wasn't the first time Williams has drawn attention by addressing issues of racial inequality, as the "Grey's Anatomy" star has been participating in activism on behalf of the African-American community for years.
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BET Awards Speech
While accepting a humanitarian award at the 2016 BET Awards, Williams instantly drew cheers on social media with a speech about race in America that touched on contentious issues like cultural appropriation and police brutality. "We're done watching and waiting while this invention called whiteness uses and abuses us," he said.

Also Read: Jesse Williams’ BET Awards Speech: 5 Highlights That Make It a Must Watch (Video)

Also Read: Petition to Fire Jesse Williams From ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ for ‘Racist’ BET Speech Passes 6,000 Signatures
BET
Ferguson Protests
Williams spent days in Missouri participating in the 2014 protests in Ferguson after a white police officer shot and killed Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager. In an interview with TheWrap, Williams said he was "astonished" by the way the police responded to the protests. "The cops were really, really nasty, unnecessarily antagonizing people. It really creates a kind of plantation vibe," he said.

Also Read: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Jesse Williams Blasts Police Over ‘Plantation Vibe’ at Ferguson October Protests (Exclusive)

Also Read: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Jesse Williams Blasts Police Over ‘Plantation Vibe’ at Ferguson October Protests (Exclusive)
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Black Lives Matter
Williams has been an outspoken member of the Black Lives Matter movement for years. He starred in and produced a 2016 BET documentary titled "Stay Woke: The Black Lives Movement," which featured interviews with several of the movement's prominent players and co-founders.
BET
#JusticeForFlint
Along with "Selma" director Ava DuVernay and "Creed" director Ryan Coogler, Williams was one of the stars who chose to boycott the 2016 Oscars -- which saw no acting nominees of color for the second year in a row -- and instead participate in a fundraiser for the residents of Flint, Michigan, who suffered lead poisoning from the local water supply.

Also Read: Will Smith Joins Wife Jada in Oscars Boycott: ‘We’re Uncomfortable’
"Racist" Halloween Costumes
In 2014, Williams took to Twitter to put people on notice for their "racist" Halloween costumes, specifically those dressed up like Trayvon Martin. "We don't reflexively celebrate random or routine white death, make memes of your bleeding corpses, etc. Tell us about this unique obsession," he wrote.

Also Read: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Jesse Williams Goes on Twitter Tirade About ‘Racist’ Halloween Costumes
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New York Times profile of Shonda Rhimes
The New York Times stirred up controversy when a 2014 profile of "Grey's Anatomy" creator Shonda Rhimes described her as an "angry black woman." Williams stuck up for his boss during an appearance on Queen Latifah's syndicated talk show, blasting the piece for its racial insensitivity and saying, "'Grey’s Anatomy' is the most incredible example of how it’s perfectly doable to have a diverse cast of people who are representing themselves and are whole human beings."

Also Read: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’s’ Jesse Williams Slams NYT Critic: ‘This Person Knows Zero About Shonda Rhimes’ (Video)
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”Grey’s Anatomy“ star has been addressing issues of inequality in America since long before his viral BET Awards speech

Jesse Williams went viral with an impassioned speech at the BET Awards last week, resulting in some minor controversy and criticism from those calling it "racist." But that wasn't the first time Williams has drawn attention by addressing issues of racial inequality, as the "Grey's Anatomy" star has been participating in activism on behalf of the African-American community for years.

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Jesse Williams' Outspoken History of Racial Activism (Photos)

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