Ariana DeBose holds no grudge against Bella Ramsey, despite being “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 made fun of her while presenting the Best Song category – and later doubled down because he didn’t think the joke was ‘funny’ on Instagram.
But instead of calling out 20-year-old Bella for delivering the brutal blow, Ariana commiserates that the actor, who identifies as non-binary and uses all pronouns, had to say it in the first place.
“It was delivered by Bella, who can’t come close to Ariana in terms of accolades, but she doesn’t blame her,” an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. “She’s upset that they had it delivered to her.”
Bella Ramsey left Ariana DeBose ‘deeply offended’ after she made a joke about her singing talent 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 surprised by the diss.
The jury is still out on whether Ariana will attend the Critics’ Choice Awards in the future, with the insider adding that she was “deeply offended at being labeled as an actress who thinks she’s a singer.”
They continued, “It is clear that they did not do their homework as they would have known that she is a well-educated Broadway singer who is widely recognized for her musical talent.
“The 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, at 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 detailing 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 in 2021 for her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s musical West Side Story and is also nominated for a Tony Award, was clearly affected by the diss as she sat gagging stiffly at her table.
She then informed her 700,000 Instagram followers that she didn’t think the joke was “funny” at all.
The Last of Us star called Ariana a joke about ‘actors who think they’re singers’
After the show, she took to Instagram to let her 712,000 Instagram users know that she “didn’t think it was funny”
Viewers also sided with the trained singer, with one posting: ‘The writers at @CriticsChoice missed the point with their comment about “actors who think they’re singers” and including Ariana DeBose as part of that list.
“The woman has been in Broadway musicals, she’s a trained singer.”
Another condemned the way they ‘insulted’ Ariana, while a third added: ‘I’m sorry, did you say that about someone from the OG cast of Hamilton? Google someone before you approve the joke, omg.”
Another angry 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, with a large slit down her right leg
Viewers condemned show bosses for ‘insulting’ Ariana with joke
Others felt sorry for “poor Bella Ramsey” because she had to deliver “that terribly judged ‘joke’ about Ariana DeBose.”
At the time of writing, Bella has not yet addressed the prank. 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 wins best song.
The Canadian actor frowned and looked slightly shocked as Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt accepted the coveted award for the song.
Ryan’s deadpan expression caused a stir on social media – with one fan saying he had ‘made a new meme with this face.’