‘I Love LA’ and ‘Marty Supreme’ star Odessa A’zion responds to internet speculation she’s a Zionist:
“debunking!! not a zio ♥️”
This was her response to an Instagram reel about a 2017 listed posting featuring a t-shirt with an IDF logo. This screenshot has resurfaced online and has sparked debate over whether it was a sign of her teenage years or a lack of a clear answer.
Why Are Some People Labeling Odessa A’zion A Zionist?
The latest controversy concerns the 2017 listing in the reel. The debate is centered on one thing: the IDF logo.
“How do you refute a screenshot of yourself attempting to sell your IDF t-shirt?” posted one person, criticizing her defense for not replying about what was visible in the photo.
Another person contributed, “I think selling IDF shirts as a teenager warrants more of an explanation than ‘not a zio ❤️.'”
A’zion’s curt denial did not bring the conversation to a close. Instead, it triggered another discussion about what the former listing implies and what her particular use of vocabulary reveals.
Odessa’s Response Made Many Upset
Many commentators focused on her use of “zio,” with one pointing out its origin.
“I’ve received a request to respond to Odessa A’Zion about the fact that she’s not a ‘zio,'” explained the anonymous contributor. “Yes, ‘zio’ originally came from David Duke, which was a white supremacist term, and should not be used. Yet many people do so ignorantly, especially on social media, with apologies later.
Another individual’s view on optics was further clarified: “Using a term like zio, associated with neo-Nazis, is not ideal.”
For others, it was performative politics in the interest of social media pace: “Liberal Zionists say ‘debunking!! not a zio ♥️’ and move on because that’s enough activism for them,” wrote one individual.
But one commenter took it further in relation to a larger online trend when he wrote: “A Jewish actress in Hollywood using a Neo-Nazi word to signal to her leftist fans that she’s a ‘good Jew’ while the internet spent the last week accusing her of blackface.”
Although critics asked for further information about the team’s 2017 jersey, fans instead pointed to A’zion’s recent actions.
However, Amnesty International cited pro-Palestine posts since late 2023, calls for a Gaza ceasefire, and accolades for Annie Lennox winning a Grammy as evidence that the old tee doesn’t represent her current stance.
In the eyes of her fans, it’s just teenage ignorance that did not translate well to maturity.
“Even without that statement, I wouldn’t consider her to be a zio based on how vocal she has been about Palestine lately,” wrote a supporter. “It’s just that everyone needs to feel superior. They don’t want to witness actual change.”
Identity adds another level to A’zion’s Jewish roots and the fact that her mother, actress Pamela Adlon, makes the online breakup more complex. For some people, this explains why the charges and terms seem so intense.
For others, the discussion regarding words, symbols, and political terms becomes so charged. “Many people don’t actually know what Zionism is,” wrote one individual. “Lots of people in the pro-Palestine community are liberal Zionists who think they’re anti-Zionists, and then they complain if you properly label them a Zionist.”
