Ariana DeBose Reacts to Critics Choice Awards Joke About Actors "Who Also Think They're Singers"

After Oscar winner and Tony nominee Ariana DeBose was included in a Critics Choice Awards joke aimed at actors "who also think that they're singers," she shared her honest response.

By Jess Cohen Jan 15, 2024 5:59 PMTags
Watch: Ariana DeBose Reacts to Critics Choice Awards Joke About Her

This Critics Choice Awards joke wasn't exactly pitch perfect. In fact, it has the internet coming to Ariana DeBose's defense.

The star-studded award show raised eyebrows on Jan. 14 during its Best Song category, when presenters Anthony Ramos and Bella Ramsey were discussing the list of nominees.

After The Last of Us star called the songs in the category "masterfully crafted works of art delivered by some of the most famous voices in the music industry," Ramos added, "Included in the mix are Billie Eilish, Lenny Kravitz and Dua Lipa. They're all fire...love them all!"

"Then there are the actors who also think that they're singers," Ramsey continued, before listing, "Jack Black, Ariana DeBose and Ken himself, Ryan Gosling."

When the West Side Story star's name was mentioned, the camera panned over to DeBose, who appeared perplexed by the joke—given she's been on the Broadway stage, as well as in film and on TV—though she did share a smile.

Later that evening, however, the Oscar winner and Tony nominee made it clear how she felt about the quip.

"No I didn't find it funny," DeBose, whose song "This Wish" was nominated in the Critics Choice category, wrote on Instagram Story. "Lol."

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DeBose's sentiments echo those of her fans, who took to social media to express their frustration with the Critics Choice Awards joke.

"The disrespect to Academy Award winner, Tony nominee, Broadway star, Ariana DeBose is WILD," one social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "The look on her face really said it all."

While another fan noted, "Whoever wrote that line for Bella Ramsey is sweating right now."

Though Best Song ended up going to Barbie's "I'm Just Ken," it was just two years ago, at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards, that DeBose won for Best Supporting Actress.

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

E! News has reached out to reps for the Critics Choice Awards for comment and has not heard back.

To see more stars on the red carpet at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards, keep reading...

Christina Ricci

John Krasinski & Emily Blunt

Bella Ramsey

Tom Hiddleston

Maria Bello

Reese Witherspoon & Ava Phillippe

Justin Theroux

Jon Hamm & Anna Osceola

Lily Gladstone

Jeremy Allen White

Dan Levy

Sarah Snook

Sandra Oh

Greta Gerwig

Keri Russell & Matthew Rhys

Nicholas Braun

Pedro Pascal

Bill Hader

John Krasinski & Emily Blunt

Mandy Moore

Emma Stone

Robert Downey Jr.

Matt Bomer

Rosamund Pike

Meg Ryan

Jason Segel

Brendan Fraser

Taraji P. Henson

Harrison Ford & Calista Flockhart

America Ferrera

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