Rising Hollywood star Bella Ramsey was once at odds with the industry’s pre-requisites that invited rejection in their early career. While there are no complaints in the film sphere now, The Last of Us star had opened up about their irksome experience with a director who wasn’t not impressed by their acting, but by their looks.
Early last year a social media post went viral that included a segment from one of Ramsey’s candid interviews. The snippet revealed the young actor talking about a peculiar remark that was thrown at them while auditioning for an unnamed movie. The insights sparked discussions on the hypocrisy and double standards of the film industry.
Bella Ramsey was rejected for their appearance
The English actor, who identifies as non-binary, was not cast in a movie because they didn’t look like a Hollywood star. A fan of Ramsey @sourkettle took to X in March 2023 and posted the footage of the interview where they shared the feedback received in one of their “first auditions ever.” Even though the director liked their performance, Bella Ramsey was told they didn’t have the “Hollywood look.” Ramsey can be joyfully heard saying,
“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. 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
— ket ! (@sourkettle) March 25, 2023
Recently turned 20, Ramsey has been in the industry for quite some time with Game of Thrones itself rolling in 2011. Therefore, it is possible that Ramsey was only in their tweens or even younger when judged for their looks rather than talent. Above the post, the fan expressed their disappointment in their caption and noted,
“bella ramsey saying they didn’t get casted in a project because they didn’t have the “Hollywood look” makes me feel so sad”
The 20-year-old star has made heads turn with one hit show after another. After starring as Lyanna Mormont in another of HBO’s most-watched shows, Game of Thrones, Ramsey landed the breakout role of Ellie alongside Pedro Pascal’s Joel in The Last of Us. Created by showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, the 2023 post-apocalyptic game-inspired drama won three awards at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards.
Bella Ramsey is irreplaceable from The Last of Us
Despite the bleak, and grotesque elements of the HBO show, Ramsey’s Ellie has managed to hook fans with her warmth and wit. With talks of The Last of Us Season 2 to begin filming in February, fans were worried if Bella Ramsey might reprise their central role in the TV series. Hence, creator Neil Druckmann told The Wrap,
“We are extremely lucky to have Bella…and the only way we would ever consider recasting Bella is if she said, ‘I don’t want to work with you guys anymore.’ And even then we’re not sure we would grant her that. We might force her to come back this season.”
The primary concern among the gaming fans was Ramsey would be too young to depict Ellie in the next season which shall be set after a five-year time lapse. However, Mazin and Druckmann have confirmed that they plan to move things around a bit, much like they did in Season 1.
