Two themes have been a regular feature of the ongoing awards season — Oppenheimer sweeping the majority of the awards at every ceremony and celebrities giving cold reactions to jokes about them (Jo Kay is still finding reasons to explain why he bombed at the Golden Globes).
The 2024 Critics Choice Awards was no different. Christopher Nolan’s film made the headlines by taking home eight trophies and Ariana DeBose got the internet talking with her reaction to Bella Ramsey’s joke about her singing prowess.
How Ariana DeBose Reacted to Bella Ramsey’s Joke at Critics Choice Awards
Bella Ramsey joined Anthony Ramos on the stage to name the Critics Choice Award winner in the Best Song category.
As is the tradition, the Last of Us star tried to make the audience laugh before naming the winner. While announcing the nominees, Ramsey named some of the most famous voices in the music industry before saying, “… then there are the actors who also think that they are singers. Jack Black, Ariana DeBose, and Ryan Gosling.”
The camera panned over to Ariana DeBose, who was clearly not pleased by the joke and instead appeared puzzled. The Hamilton star has an Oscar to her name for her performance in the musical romantic drama West Side Story and boasts plenty of experience in Broadway musicals.
Interestingly, co-presenter Ramos, who was also part of Hamilton, didn’t say anything after Ramsey’s joke despite knowing about DeBose’s previous experience.
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 pic.twitter.com/gWawjZeg9m
— Anthony Blankenship-Vargas (@anthonyislegit) January 15, 2024
In case there was any confusion, the actress confirmed her disapproval of the joke through her Instagram story, stating: “No I didn’t find it funny. Lol.”
The 32-year-old was nominated for the award for her performance of This Wish in the animated film Wish.
Ryan Gosling Seemed Stunned by Bella Ramsey’s Ken Announcement
Eventually, Ramsey announced I’m Just Ken from Barbie as the winner of Best Song and ended up paving the way for another much-talked-about reaction.
The camera panned over to Gosling, who seemed even more puzzled than DeBose. His reaction suggested he never believed the song would go on to win any award.
Ryan Gosling reacts to “I’m Just Ken” winning Best Song at the #CriticsChoiceAwards https://t.co/amDTzwXLR5
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) January 15, 2024
It was announced that the award would be accepted by Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt, and Gosling but the main Ken didn’t join the writer duo on the stage. Regardless, Ronson and Wyatt gave the Canadian star credit for making people fall in love with I’m Just Ken with his energetic performance.
Gosling was also in the running to lift the Best Supporting Actor award, which was eventually won by Robert Downey Jr. However, the Barbie team enjoyed a prolific night, taking home six awards in total.
