The 'West Side Story' actress is bombarded with supportive messages by social media users after being lumped into a 'disrespectful' joke at the star-studded event.
- Jan 15, 2024
AceShowbiz - Ariana DeBose has broken her silence following an insulting joke at the 2024 Critics' Choice Awards. After being lumped into a joke about "actors who think they are singers," the "West Side Story" actress gave her response to the diss.
On Sunday, January 14, the 32-year-old actress/singer made use of Instagram Story to share her thoughts on the disrespectful joke at the 29th annual event. Over a pink screen, she simply wrote, "No I didn't find it funny. Lol."
The response came shortly after Bella Ramsey, who presented the Best Song category at the ceremony at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California along with Anthony Ramos, read a script that contained the diss. At that time, the 20-year-old actress, who identifies as nonbinary and uses all pronouns, began by introducing the nominees.
In the beginning, Bella deemed Billie Eilish, Lenny Kravitz and Dua Lipa "some of the most famous voices in the music industry." She went on to say, "Then there are the actors who think they're singers," calling out Jack Black and Ariana DeBose as well as "Ken himself, Ryan Gosling," who eventually won the category.
Upon learning that her name was mentioned in the second category, Ariana was taken aback by the diss as she looked at the two presenters. She was later seen awkwardly smiling while stiffly sitting at her table.
In the wake of the unpleasant remark, Ariana quickly received supportive messages from social media users. Making use of X, formerly known as Twitter, one in particular defended her, "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."
Another penned, "DeBose has a long history of critically-acclaimed musicals, Jack Black is an amazing rock singer, and Gosling grew-up singing and sang in various films like 'La La Land'. Who wrote this!? It's clear they can all sing. And why take shots at people?"
A third wrote, "Extremely disrespectful. Definitely deserves an apology by whoever wrote that and by the presenters… never should have read that." Meanwhile, a fourth noted, "Uhh Awards shows need to get writers who are aware of pop culture beyond their circles."
