Zendaya is hopeful the Oscars diversity debate will allow Hollywood to “grow and get better”.

Speaking about this year’s debate, surrounding the lack of diversity among the nominees for the ceremony next month, Zendaya said she is thrilled it has become such a hot topic.

She said: “I think it’s action. It’s all action. It’s about not being afraid of having this conversation and to speak up. I’m glad people are talking about it. I’m glad that it’s being spoken about. That’s why we have these conversations - so we can grow and get better.”

Zendaya, who has a black father and a white mother, also revealed her tips for tackling racism in Hollywood.

She told Celebuzz: “Do not take no for an answer. There’s this line in Scandal where Papa Pope [played by Joe Morton] tells Olivia [Kerry Washington] that you have to work that many times harder than anyone else. It’s just the truth. You can’t take no for an answer. You’ve got to keep breaking down those doors because you never know where it’s going to lead.”