Ariana DeBose isn’t holding a grudge against Bella Ramsey despite being left ‘deeply offended’ by a joke about ‘actors who think they are singers’ at the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday night.
The triple-threat actor, singer and dancer, 32, looked furious after The Last Of Us star poked fun at her while presenting the Best Song category – and later doubled down on not finding the quip ‘funny’ on Instagram.
But rather than taking issue with Bella, 20, for delivering the brutal blow, Ariana feels pity that the actor, who identifies as nonbinary and uses all pronouns, was made to say it in the first place.
‘It was delivered by Bella who can’t hold a candle to Ariana in terms of accolades, but she doesn’t blame her,’ an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. ‘She feels bad that they made her deliver it.’
Bella Ramsey left Ariana DeBose ‘deeply offended’ after cracking a joke at her singing ability at the Critics’ Choice Awards on Sunday night
Ariana, who won an Academy Award for her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 musical West Side Story, seemed taken aback by the diss
The jury is still out as to whether Ariana will attend the Critics’ Choice Awards in the future, with the insider adding she was ‘deeply offended at being labelled an actress who thinks she is a singer.’
They continued: ‘Clearly, they didn’t do their homework because they would have known she is a well-trained Broadway singer who has been widely recognized for her musical talent.
‘It low-key ruined her evening and was clearly done to get people talking about a show that literally no one cares about.’
Bella presented the Best Song category alongside Anthony Ramos, 32, during the ceremony in Santa Monica.
Bella introduced nominees Lenny Kravitz, 59, and Dua Lipa, 28, and Billie Eilish, 22, as ‘some of the most famous voices in the music industry’ before dissing Ariana’s vocal range.
They continued: ‘Then there are the actors who think they’re singers: Jack Black, Ariana DeBose, and Ken himself, Ryan Gosling.’
Ariana, who won an Academy Award for her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s musical West Side Story in 2021 and has also been nominated for a Tony Award, was clearly taken aback by the diss as she sat stiffly at her table, fuming.
She subsequently informed her 700,000 Instagram followers that she ‘didn’t find’ the gag ‘funny’ at all.
The Last of Us star lumped Ariana into a joke about ‘actors who think they are singers’
Following the show, she took to Instagram to inform her 712,000 Instagram that she ‘didn’t find it funny’
Viewers also sided with the trained singer, with one posting: ‘The writers for @CriticsChoice missed the mark with their comment about “actors who think they’re singers” and including Ariana DeBose as part of that list.
‘The woman starred in Broadway musicals – she’s a trained singer.’
Another condemned the way they ‘insulted’ Ariana, while a third added: ‘I’m sorry, you said that about someone from the OG cast of Hamilton? Google someone before you approve the joke omg.’
Another upset viewer wrote: ‘It would have made sense if the nominees were well known actors, who are first time singers, but… a Broadway star?!’
Ariana stepped out in a stylish spaghetti strap dress, which featured a large slit up her right leg
Viewers condemned show bosses for ‘insulting’ Ariana with the quip
Others took pity on ‘poor Bella Ramsey’ for having to ‘deliver that HORRIBLY JUDGED “joke” about Ariana DeBose.’
At the time of writing, Bella has not addressed the quip. DailyMail.com has contacted a representative for comment.
Elsewhere at the Critics’ Choice Awards, Ryan Gosling, 43, tickled viewers with his rather hilarious reaction to his Barbie hit I’m Just Ken winning Best Song.
The Canadian actor furrowed his eyebrows and looked slightly horrified after Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt picked up the coveted accolade for the track.
Ryan’s deadpan expression had social media abuzz – with one fan saying he had ‘created a new meme with this face.’
Critics Choice 2024 WINNERS: AT A GLANCE
FILM
Best Picture: Openheimer
Best Actor: Paul Giamatti – The Holdovers
Best Actress: Emma Stone – Poor Things
Best Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr. – Oppenheimer
Best Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Jo Randolph – The Holdovers
Best Acting Ensemble: Oppenheimer
Best Director: Christopher Nolan – Oppenheimer
Best Comedy: Barbie
Best Song: ‘I’m Just Ken’ – Barbie
Barbie was given Best Comedy in an impromptu segment as director Greta Gerwig (left) and star Margot Robbie accepted the honor
TELEVISION
Best Drama Series: Succession
Best Actor in a Drama Series: Kieran Culkin – Succession
Best Actress in a Drama Series: Sarah Snook – Succession
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Billy Crudup – The Morning Show
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Elizabeth Debicki – The Crown
Best Comedy Series: The Bear
Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Jeremy Allen White – The Bear
Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Ayo Edebiri
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Ebon Moss-Bachrach – The Bear
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Meryl Streep – Only Murders in the Building
Best Limited Series: Beef
Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Steven Yeun – Beef
Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Ali Wong – Beef