Bella Ramsey Denied a Role for Not Fitting ‘Hollywood Look’
The Last of Us star, Bella Ramsey, has gone viral for their story of being rejected in an audition because of their appearance.
Bella Ramsey is nonbinary and uses any pronouns.
Ramsey has obtained worldwide fame for their embodiment of Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us. The role has made them one of the internet’s most beloved stars, amassing thousands of fans. Despite this newfound fame, the star revealed that they are still getting used to their heightened status.
You’re not alone.
— The Last of Us (@TheLastofUsHBO) March 21, 2023
All episodes of #TheLastOfUs are streaming now on @HBOMax. pic.twitter.com/Z4EOoJYmK2
Ramsey has been acting since the age of four and embodied Lady Lyanna Mormont on HBO’s Game of Thrones at the age of 13. In an interview clip that recently went viral, the star recalled an audition they did as a young actor.
Ramsey shared, “I was told [in] one of my first auditions ever… The director really liked me but I didn’t get the part because I didn’t have the ‘Hollywood look.’” The star went on to explain, “That’s something that I’ve always found very interesting.”
bella ramsey saying they didn’t get casted in a project because they didn’t have the “Hollywood look” makes me feel so sad pic.twitter.com/JY564J0XS6
— kettle ༂ (@sourkettle) March 25, 2023
Fans speculated that Ramsey would have been told this comment at about six or seven years old, an incredibly early age. Many felt the comment to be unnecessary and a purposefully malicious thing to say to a child.
i mean yeah but imagine being 6 or 7 and being told that still very sad
— kettle ༂ (@sourkettle) March 25, 2023
Especially because she’s such a young girl… it’s crazy to think that they’re still doing this to young women. Why not just tell her that they decided to go with another actress? Instead of making her pick apart herself because she doesn’t look a certain way
— LovelyLyingLips (@lips_lying) March 26, 2023
Fans also expressed their sadness over the interview clip and the standards which are put on actors to fit a certain beauty standard. Furthermore, they criticized that some productions value traditional beauty over talent.
the “hollywood look” is so boring. they have a unique kind of beauty which is sm better.
— marianna (@hotcoolgemini) March 27, 2023
its so sad that this is a defining factor rather than casting who most faithfully represents the character https://t.co/KdalUvfA5m
— pheebs ⚢ (@sashannarcier) March 26, 2023
Unfortunately, this is not the first time the star has been judged for their appearance. When it was confirmed that Ramsey would star as Ellie in The Last of Us, some fans of the video game had hateful reactions.
However, others came to the star’s defense and were proven right by Ramsey’s immensely powerful embodiment of Ellie, which has led to speculation of an Emmy nomination for the star.
All the extremely positive reactions and reviews from The Last of Us is amazing but reading that Bella Ramsey absolutely nails the role of Ellie makes my heart so full. I don’t wanna see any more hate for her. PROTECT HER AT ALL COSTS pic.twitter.com/YNSRvwHgOT
— Taja Kartio (@kartiovascular) January 10, 2023
Ramsey has proven that they are a standout actor through their recent roles. To watch them star as the iconic Ellie, stream The Last of Us on HBO Max.
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