Ariana DeBose left unamused by Bella Ramsey’s joke about her at Critics Choice Awards

Yesterday’s Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica threw up several memorable moments, including one that Ariana DeBose did not appreciate.

Last Of Us actor Bella Ramsey and Anthony Ramos presented the award for ‘Best Song’.

Ramsey, who identifies as nonbinary, praised some of the nominees, including Billie Eilish, Lenny Kravitz, and Dua Lipa, as “some of the most famous voices in the music industry.”

Ramsey then joked, “Then there are the actors who think they’re singers: Jack Black, Ariana DeBose, and Ken himself, Ryan Gosling.”

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Ariana DeBose, Oscar award winning, Tony nominated, OG cast member of Hamilton on BROADWAY…. “THINKS she’s a singer”?!? Who wrote this bit?! I want names #CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/gWawjZeg9m

— Anthony Blankenship-Vargas (@anthonyislegit) January 15, 2024

Er, hello?

In the audience, DeBose (nominated for “This Wish” from the animated film Wish). grinned in stunned bemusement.

The North Carolina DeBose is a trained singer. She has performed on Broadway in Bring It On: The Musical, Motown: The Musical and Pippin. DeBose was one of the original ensemble members of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical Hamilton. She received a Tony nomination for her performance in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.

She was the first queer woman of color to win an Oscar (for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story).

DeBose did go viral last year for a somewhat awkward rap at the BAFTA Awards in London, but still, the woman can sing.

Internet reacts to awkward “joke”

Online, many criticized the Critics Choice Awards for the supposed “joke”. Most didn’t blame Ramsey, 20, but instead pointed toward whoever wrote the joke. Others suggested Anthony Ramos, who appeared alongside DeBose in Hamilton, should have suggested changing the line.

Anthony Ramos LITERALLY was in the same Hamilton cast as her??? How did he let this happen https://t.co/hFqH06Xwiw

— Ryan Aguirre (@aguirreryan) January 15, 2024

Ariana DeBose–Oscar award winning, Tony nominated, & original cast member of Hamilton on Broadway is one of the best singers of our time!🎤

Enjoy her breathtaking rendition of “Somewhere” at our Songs for Hope concert in Oct.

✅Receipts
✅Proof
✅Timeline
✅Screenshots#iykyk pic.twitter.com/o9N4D7rhj2

— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) January 15, 2024

Others pointed out that Jack Black is also known as a musician. He’s fronted the comedy rock duo Tenacious D since 1994.

Ironically, it was the song by Ryan Gosling (“I’m Just Ken” from Barbie), that went on to win the category. Even Gosling was left bemused by this.

Ryan Gosling’s reaction to “I’m Just Ken” winning Best Original Song at the #CriticsChoiceAwards

See the full winners list: https://t.co/o7EgopRYqJ pic.twitter.com/UOWpZPhaiv

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 15, 2024

After the show, DeBose posted a message on her Instagram stories that simply said, “No, I didn’t find it funny lol”

Ariana DeBose to whoever wrote that joke pic.twitter.com/qCYCRzppxP

— Karl Delossantos (@karl_delo) January 15, 2024

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