*Last Tuesday, Zendaya took to Snapchat with claims that a Vons supermarket cashier was dismissive of her attempt to purchase $400 in gift cards because she is black.
The actress is now explaining why she decided to speak out.
“It’s important to raise your voice about issues you feel affected by,” the 20-year-old star told People.com at the Michael Kors Access Smartwatch launch in New York City Sunday night. “It happens to African-American men and women every day.”
As previously reported, the alleged exchange began when the clerk apparently refused to serve the actress and her friend. “The lady that was helping us… I don’t think she was a huge fan of our skin tone,” she said in her Snapchat.
A rep for the grocery store chain apologized in a statement: “At Vons, we strive to treat each and every customer with the utmost respect. There is a policy that limits gift card purchases using a credit card. Zendaya was able to purchase gift cards up to our limit, and we apologize for any inconvenience or misunderstanding.”
“We respect Zendaya’s voice in the community and similarly are committed to diversity and inclusion,” the statement continued. “Moreover, we understand that race is a sensitive issue in America and view this experience as a reminder that every interaction is an opportunity to treat each customer as we ourselves would like to be treated.”
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