Ariana DeBose was left unimpressed after being dubbed as an actress "who thinks they can sing" at this year’s Critics' Choice Awards.
Exactly one week after the 2024 Golden Globes commenced in Los Angeles, the latest awards ceremony on the Hollywood circuit took place, and the 32-year-old Wish actress was in attendance.
DeBose was nominated in the Best Song category for the Disney film, alongside Barbie's 'Dance The Night', 'I’m Just Ken' and 'What Was I Made For', and tracks from The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Rustin.
However, she was shocked to find herself the butt of a joke when her category was being presented by The Last of Us actress Bella Ramsey and In The Heights actor Anthony Ramos.
Before announcing the winner, the 20-year-old actor quipped that the songs nominated in the category were performed "by some of the most famous voices in the music industry".
Following this, Ramos namechecked Billie Eilish, Lenny Kravitz, and Dua Lipa - but Ramsey then referred to the remaining nominees, including DeBose, Jack Black, and Ryan Gosling, as "actors who also think that they are singers".
The actress, who won an Academy Award for her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg's musical West Side Story (2021), was taken aback by the joke as she sat at her table. She then displayed an outward expression of disapproval before laughing it off.
Watch the moment below:Many viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their support for the North Carolina native, as one user shared a clip of the joke and wrote: "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."
Another said: "The writers for @CriticsChoice missed the mark with their comment about 'actors who think they’re singers' and including Ariana DeBose as part of that list. The woman starred in Broadway musicals - she's a trained singer. #CriticsChoiceAwards."
A third condemned the way they "insulted Ariana DeBose" for calling her an "actress who thinks she can sing," adding: "Girl. GIRL!!!!! I’m sorry, you said that about someone from the OG cast of Hamilton? Google someone before you approve the joke omg."
Someone else slammed: "I won’t blame young Bella, the presenter...but how DARE a writer for the intro label Ariana, a Broadway triple threat, with the smarmy category of 'actors who think they can sing.' Get a clue. Fact check. Apologize. Change your job."
A handful of users pointed out the icy look Debose "made when Bella Ramsey mentioned the 'actors who think they’re singers,'" saying that "the look on her face really said it all".
"What even is this? Ariana DeBose is a triple threat - her incredible singing just one of her exceptional skills. What's with the need to unnecessarily take down someone whose career trajectory in recent years has been deservedly spectacular? Awful take which is needlessly cruel," one last person shared.
While she didn’t specifically reference the moment, the Broadway musical star and Tony nominee seemingly reacted to the diss on her Instagram story, simply writing: "No I didn't find it funny. Lol."
Her statement is not a surprise as Debose is known for speaking up for herself - especially after her rap at the 76th EE British Academy Film Awards last February went viral on social media.
The Hamilton star told Time Out magazine that the song was "fun" and she "owns every ounce" of her performance," adding: "These lyrics were never meant to be Charles Dickens. They are what they are."
She went on to say: "On TikTok people were asking about why [one lyric was] 'Blanchett, Cate?' It’s literally a play on Madonna’s 'Vogue' rap," and teased that she wouldn't "shy away" from the viral performance.
"I still maintain what it was. It was just fun. I enjoy the memes. There are DJ remixes to this little rap," she concluded.