Zendaya isn’t afraid to talk her mind on the subject of problems with race. Along with registering her objection to the killings of unarmed Black people by law enforcement, the Disney star has discussed the whole lot from Black hair to the importance of Black women in social movements. While it’s no surprise the Oakland native is so comfortable addressing the problems, she also isn’t afraid of confronting her privilege as a light-weight skin woman in Hollywood.

During this yr’s Beautycon Festival in Recent York City, Zendaya discussed colorism within the entertainment business and what number of see her as an “acceptable version of a Black girl.”

“As a Black woman, as a light-skinned Black woman, it’s vital that I’m using my privilege, my platform to point out you ways much beauty there may be within the African-American community,” she said during a conversation with Bozoma Saint John, Uber’s chief brand officer. “I’m Hollywood’s, I suppose you would say, acceptable version of a Black girl and that has to alter.”

“We’re vastly too beautiful and too interesting for me to only be the one representation of that,” the actor continued. “What I’m saying, it’s about creating those opportunities, sometimes. You could have to create those paths. And that’s with anything, Hollywood, art, whatever.”

Zendaya isn’t just all talk, either. In her quest to make sure Black folks are represented on screen, she’s producing a movie concerning the first Black female Vassar College graduate called A White Lie. During her conversation with Saint John, the style maven also said she feels an obligation to be sure that Black women of all hues are seen.

“I feel a responsibility to be a voice for the gorgeous shades my people are available. Unfortunately, I even have a little bit of a privilege in comparison with my darker sisters and brothers,” she said. ” Can I truthfully say that I’ve needed to face the identical racism and struggles as a girl with darker skin? No, I cannot. I even have not walked in her shoes and that’s unfair of me to say. But I’m completely behind that woman.”

“I would like to be a component of the movement and growth,” Zendaya continued. “And if I get put ready due to the color of my skin where people will hearken to me, then I should use that privilege the suitable way.”