Zendaya‘s ‘image architect’ Law Roach has finally addressed the viral video of him and the actress at the Louise Vuitton show at Paris Fashion Week, after his shock resignation.
The 26-year-old actress was caught on camera taking her place on the front row next to Emma Stone at the show before ushering her longtime stylist to an empty chair behind.
The clip prompted fierce debate on social media as dozens of commenters slammed Zendaya for not ‘showing him respect’ – with some suggesting that the awkward moment was the catalyst for 44-year-old Law’s shock resignation.
However, the stylist has now spoken out to defend Zendaya and explain what really happened.
Speaking to The Cut, he recalled that they’d arrived late due to traffic causing a lot of ‘anxiety’.
Having his say: Zendaya’s ‘image architect’ Law Roach has finally addressed the viral video of him and the actress at the Louise Vuitton show at Paris Fashion Week, after his shock resignation
Viral: The 26-year-old actress was caught on camera taking her place on the front row next to Emma Stone at the show before ushering her longtime stylist to an empty chair behind
Law said: ‘So, it was a lot of anxiety, because Zendaya is really respectful, and she doesn’t like people to have to wait on her, and so it was just anxiety.’
He added that the Vuitton team started ‘shuffling’ them to their seats rapidly but that there was confusion when he found there was no seat next to Zendaya, because he ‘always’ sits with her.
He added: ‘In my mind, my seat was next to her. So, when I got there and it wasn’t, you know, it wasn’t a problem, but there was nobody to tell me where my actual seat was.’
Law further explained that Zendaya gesturing behind her was not her offering him the seat, but telling him that seat was reserved for her assistant, Darnell.
He said: ‘And so I was standing there — I was really just kind of confused. And remember, we had just made a mad dash to get there, so it’s anxiety, like, you sweating.’
He refuted the notion ‘that Zendaya wasn’t taking care of me and wasn’t making sure I was taken care of’.
It falls in line with Law’s Twitter comments last week, where he denied any suggestion of a feud between him and Zendaya, while describing her as his ‘little sister’.
‘So y’all really think I’m breaking up with Z….. we are forever!’ he wrote on Twitter, adding in a second post: ‘She’s my little sister and it’s real love not the fake industry love.’
He then posted a third tweet featuring a gif of two little girls in a flower-filled meadow featuring the words ‘me & u must neva part’, writing alongside it: ‘Literally me and Zendaya…’
Roach’s posts come after his decision to quit the fashion industry – a choice that he claimed was the result of ‘the politics, the lies and false narratives.’
Following the intense social media furor, Roach broke his silence to furiously deny that the pair had fallen out – but did not give any other information about why he has quit his fashion job
The fashion star dropped his bombshell resignation on Instagram on Tuesday, saying he has had enough with ‘the politics, the lies and false narratives’ in the fashion world
After he shared the news, furious speculation began circulating about the pair’s awkward interaction at the Louis Vuitton show in Paris on March 6
But the 13 seconds of video was enough to spark fierce debate on social media – in one camp, there were those that slammed the Euphoria star for not doing more
The 13-second video of the Louis Vuitton show exchange was more than enough to spark fierce debate on social media.
In one camp, there were those that slammed the Euphoria star for not doing more.
One wrote: ‘In my opinion, the moment Zendaya saw that Law Roach did not have a seat next to her on the front row she should have left the show and made phone calls.
‘Sometimes sticking up for people that have your back comes with sacrifices, and that was her moment to stick up for him.’
Another quipped: ‘Zendaya should’ve offered Law her seat if it was no big deal with sitting second row.’
And a third said: ‘We love Zendaya in her roles, but we have to hold her accountable.
‘That was a ugly move to point to the back when your stylist was expecting a seat next to you.’
But others rushed to the actress’s defense by pointing out that there was nothing that she could have done and that all the seats were assigned by the brand.
Someone commented: ‘Louis Vuitton disrespects Law Roach by not having a front row seat for him – but Zendaya is the rude one?’
But there were others that pointed out there was nothing that she could have done and that all the seats were assigned by the brand
Another said: ‘There was nothing Zendaya could’ve done here except sit in her *assigned* seat likes she’s supposed to.
‘The fault lies with the staff not directing Law to his correct seat and so making him awkwardly stand in front.’
One added: ‘I am obviously mystified by the “Zendaya should have given up her seat” discourse.’
The video resurfaced following Law’s shock retirement just a days after he dressed a number of stars for the Vanity Fair Oscars party, including Kerry Washington, Megan Thee Stallion, Hunter Schafer, Hailee Steinfeld, and Eve Jobs.
He posted a picture to Instagram which showed a red sign that had ‘RETIRED’ written in large white letters.
‘My Cup is empty….. thank you to everyone who’ve supported me and my career over the years. Every person that trusted me with their image, I’m so grateful for you all,’ he wrote in the caption.
‘If this business was just about the clothes I would do it for the rest of my life but unfortunately it’s not!’ he added.
‘The politics, the lies and false narratives finally got me! You win… I’m out.’
It has since been claimed that Zendaya’s rumored appointment as Louis Vuitton’s newest ambassador could have been a catalyst in his decision to step down, according to Highsnobiety.
Law has yet to comment on his plans post-retirement, sparking speculation that he may have something big in the works.
There have been rumors that he has been hired as a creative director of a brand or is about to launch something of his own, W Magazine reported.
Law is best known for curating Zendaya’s unforgettable Cinderella look for the 2019 Met Gala while taking on the role of her red-carpet Fairy Godmother.
The 44-year-old celebrity stylist is the man behind Zendaya’s incredible red carpet looks (together left in 2021 and right in 2022)
Law is best known for curating Zendaya’s unforgettable Cinderella look for the 2019 Met Gala while taking on the role of her red-carpet Fairy Godmother (pictured)
Law worked with Zendaya numerous times over the past few weeks, pulling multiple looks for her to wear to the NAACP Image Awards (L) and the Screen Actors Guild Awards (R)
He was also the genius behind Celine Dion’s style renaissance in 2016. After working with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, he has turned into a star in his own right.
Over the years, he served as a judge on fashion competition shows America’s Next Top Model and Legendary, and he was honored with the inaugural stylist award at the 2022 CFDA Awards last fall.
Law suffered a personal tragedy in 2021 after his three-year-old nephew Lamar Roach Jr. fell to his death from 17th-story apartment building in Chicago.
In a since-deleted Instagram post, he thanked his supporters for their ‘prayers and well wishes,’ saying, ‘This is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to deal with.’
