Oscar-winning actress Ariana DeBose has broken her silence, describing herself as 'absolutely devastated' following the brutal online reaction to her unique opening performance at this year's EE BAFTA Film Awards.
The West Side Story star, who hosted the prestigious London ceremony, crafted a special rap number celebrating the incredible women nominated for awards. However, the well-intentioned performance was met with a wave of mockery and criticism across social media platforms, leaving the performer reeling.
A 'Hostile' Online Reaction
In a candid new interview, DeBose didn't hold back, labelling the internet's response as overtly 'hostile'. The actress revealed the intense personal toll the viral moment took, highlighting the stark contrast between the live audience's reception and the digital firestorm that followed.
'It's a classic case of something going right on the night, in the room, but then the internet takes hold and the narrative becomes something entirely different,' a source close to the production noted.
The Infamous Rap Lyrics
The performance that sparked the controversy featured DeBose name-checking a roster of A-list nominees to a rhythmic beat. Lines dedicated to fellow actresses quickly became the subject of countless memes and parodies:
- Angela Bassett did the thing: A nod to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star.
- Jamie Lee, you are all of us: Celebrating the iconic Everything Everywhere All at Once actress.
- Melissa McCarthy, yeah!: A shout-out for her role in The Little Mermaid.
- Dames Judi Dench and Emma Thompson: Honouring the British acting legends.
The lyric that arguably garnered the most attention, however, was a playful reference to Emily Blunt's performance in Oppenheimer: 'She came from a kitchen, ended up in Oppenheimer...'
Moving Forward From The Backlash
Despite the harsh criticism, DeBose is a seasoned professional with a Tony Award and an Academy Award to her name. Insiders suggest that while the experience was painful, she is focused on her future projects and will not be defined by a single viral moment.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the intense scrutiny and instant judgement public figures face in the digital age, where a live performance can be dissected and debated by millions in minutes.
