Zendaya Coleman praised for brilliant response to troll who labelled her parents ugly

The actress and singer hit back at comments about her parents' appearance

Zendaya, pictured at the 2015 Oscars, launched a passionate defence of African-Caribbean hair (David Fisher/Rex Features)

Zendaya Coleman has presented yet another excellent example of how to combat negative or unpleasant comments on social media, after shutting down trolls who labelled her parents “ugly”.

A picture of the 18-year-old with her parents was shared on Twitter and quickly went viral after it attracted a number of negative comments.

One user criticised their appearance by writing: “Her parents [are] really ugly I really would cry", while another added: "and they funny looking".

Coleman jumped to defend her mother and father, describing them as "two of the most selfless people in the world" who had dedicated their lives to teaching.

Her response is in full here:

“First, I’m gonna pray for you. While you’re so concerned about what my parents look like, please know that these are two of the most selfless people in the world.

“They have chosen to spend their entire life, not worried about trivial things such as looks and insulting people’s parents on Twitter, but instead became educators who have dedicate their lives to teaching, cultivating and filling young shallow minds. (One of the most important yet underpaid jobs we have).

“So please, log out, go to school, hug a teacher and read a textbook…and while you’re at it, go look in the mirror and know that you too are beautiful, because such hateful things only stem from internal struggles. Bless you."

The Disney actress first demonstrated her ability to shut down negative comments in February when her hair was ridiculed by Fashion Police presenter Giuliana Rancic, who said her dreadlocks looked like they smelled of “weed and patchouli oil”.

Coleman dismissed the “outrageously offensive” comments with an eloquent response that ultimately led to Rancic apologising publicly.