2023 BAFTAs

Angela Bassett DMed Ariana DeBose “You’re Fierce & I Love You” After BAFTA Trolling

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If you’re questioning what “the thing” is that Angela Bassett apparently “did,” the acclaimed actress is not. The veteran actress’s name has always been in the spotlight as she is applauded from one blockbuster role to another. It’s award season, so Bassett and her Hollywood elite peers gather together to float from one ceremony to the next. The buzz about the Black Panther icon has intensified—but it isn’t just about her skills on the big screen.

At this year’s BAFTA Awards, Ariana DeBose stole the show. The Westside Story star performed a number she helped write and choreograph, but it seemed to fall flat at first glance. DeBose was teased and trolled about her “Angela Bassett did the thing” lyric, among others. She also went viral for days, and the mention wasn’t missed on Bassett. In an interview with Extra TV, the Oscar-winner said she DMed DeBose to ensure she held her head high.

Angela Bassett Reveals Advice To Ariana DeBose

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 26: Angela Bassett attends the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

While on the red carpet for the 2023 SAG Awards, Extra caught up with Bassett and asked if she had reached out to DeBose. “I DMed her,” said the actress. “I saw her that night, and I gave her a big hug. She, my daughter, and I have pictures together. So, we were really thrilled. And then, when I saw [the performance] come out and really take flight, I DMed her. I said, ‘I hope you’re not at all bothered by the attention we’re generating, my dear, because you’re fierce, and I adore you.”

All anyone would need is a co-sign from Angela Bassett to get them out of viral funk. Now that many of the trolls have been silenced, Bassett is thrilled to see people being more playful, than cruel. “We love how everyone is having fun with it now!” she added. “Just having fun.” We’re sure we’ll be hearing about “the thing” for weeks to come.

Ariana DeBose Speaks About Viral Controversy

While on BBC Radio 2’s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, DeBose addressed going viral. “Honestly, it’s not like I’m like, ‘Hey BAFTA, let me in!’” the Oscar-winner said. “They actually called me, believe it or not. But that was the assignment. Like, ‘Come celebrate women,’ and I was like, ‘Absolutely!’ We did that, and it was fun. Not gonna lie, I had a blast.”

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Ariana DeBose Reflects On Viral BAFTAs Performance

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Ariana DeBose spoke about her viral performance at the British Academy Film Awards during a new interview with Zoe Ball on her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show. When Ball admitted that she liked the performance, DeBose joked, “You know what, you might be one of the few.” For her time on stage, DeBose rapped praises for the female acting nominees. “Angela Bassett did the thing, Viola Davis my ‘Woman King,’ Blanchett Cate you’re a genius, Jamie Lee you are all of us,” she sang at one point.

Ball explained that she liked the performance because it was “woman singing and dancing, being magnificent celebrating women.” DeBose responded by adding that’s what she “wanted to do.” “Honestly, it’s not like I’m like, ‘Hey BAFTA, let me in!’ They actually called me, believe it or not,” DeBose said. “But that was the assignment. Like, ‘Come celebrate women,’ and I was like, ‘Absolutely!’ We did that and it was fun. Not gonna lie, I had a blast.”

Ariana DeBose On “BBC Radio 2”

@bbc

“A woman celebrating women” 🧡 👏 Ariana DeBose talks for the first time about that iconic BAFTAs performance! #BBCRadio2 #BBCSounds #iPlayer

♬ original sound – BBC – BBC

“[It was] so awesome, and then I spent the rest of the night, you know, cutting a rug. Which, is that something you say here? Cutting a rug with Emma Thompson,” she continued, referring to dancing with the actress. “It was fabulous. I had a great time.” While the response to DeBose’s performance was negative online, she claimed that people in attendance were fans. In particular, she recalled Elvis director Baz Luhrmann enjoying it. “He was like, ‘No, I think you’re great, that was fun. I had fun.’ And I was like, ‘work,’ ” she said. “That’s a win, you guys. And apparently, gay Twitter seemed to like it? So that’s good, I’ll take it. I told you, my people.”

After the initial criticism on Twitter, DeBose deleted her account on the platform. While she has yet to return to the site, she shared an optimistic message on Instagram, earlier this week. She posted the quote, “Babygirl [sic], in a world full of choices, choose yourself.” Prior to the BBC Radio 2 interview, it was the only public statement DeBose had made since the awards ceremony.

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Lizzo Recreates Viral Ariana DeBose BAFTAs Rap: Video

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In 2022, awards season was undeniably overshadowed by what’s become known as “The Slap” between Chris Rock and Will Smith. Thankfully, this year, things have been relatively calm throughout the ceremonies we’ve seen so far. While the physical violence has been at a minimum, the viral moments have still been steadily coming, from Ben Afflecks’ grim expressions at the Grammys to Ariana DeBose’s outlandish opening performance at the BAFTAs.

It’s since been clarified that the former reportedly knew he was trending on Twitter in midst of the show. Even with the internet poking fun at him, he continued to take in various legendary performances while wearing a pained expression beside his wife, Jennifer Lopez, who was obviously much happier to be in attendance. As for the latter, DeBose likely wasn’t expecting such a negative reaction to her song and dance last week.

Ariana’s Awkward BAFTAs Flop

During the BAFTAs last weekend, she sang a cover of Eurythmics’ “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves” and Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family.” While she was crooning, DeBose took creative liberty by including a rap verse name-dropping all the female nominees at the event in London. As she spit bars about them, the starlet’s faces appeared across the screen, some of them obviously unimpressed with the singer’s antics.

“Angela Bassett did the thing / Viola Davis my Woman King / Blanchett Cate you’re a genius / Jamie Lee you are all of us,” the not-so-clever rhyme goes. As criticism poured in on social media from unhappy viewers, the North Carolina native shut it out by deleting her Twitter account. As Page Six notes, however, she has been seen double-tapping memes about her flop on Instagram, and even praising them in the comments.

Lizzo’s Amsterdam Fans Loved Her Recreation

@robynflorence

I lost my voice but worth bc Angela Bassett did the thing @lizzo #lizzo #lizzoamsterdam #angelabassett

♬ original sound – robynyourheart

Going viral online certainly isn’t easy, but when Lizzo recreates one of your most embarrassing moments, it’s safe to say you’ve made it. During a concert in Amsterdam on Thursday (February 23) night, the Special songstress had her audience in stitches when she sang some of DeBose’s lines. Surrounded by backup dancers, she encouraged the crowd to “shake it off” with a shimmy before singing, “Angela Bassett did the thing, shake it off.”

A TikToker captured the hilarious moment on camera and shared it on the app to give more Lizzo lovers a laugh. “I lost my voice but worth it [because] Angela Bassett did the thing,” they wrote in the caption. Do you think Ariana DeBose’s BAFTAs performance was embarrassing? Sound off in the comments, and check back later for more pop culture news.

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Ariana DeBose Deletes Twitter After “Cringe” BAFTA Performance, Laughs Off Critics

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It isn’t easy performing in front of a packed audience, but Ariana DeBose did just that for a room full of her peers. The Academy Award-winning actress, dancer, and singer recently took to the BAFTA stage to open the awards ceremony. The Westside Story star joined several backup dancers and delivered a rap about the nominees and blockbuster films. However, the performance was said to have fallen flat as the BAFTA audience looked on in silence.

It didn’t take long for DeBose to receive the meme treatment. People also stormed the internet to call the display “cringe,” and many questioned why it was approved. “Angela Bassett did the thing, Viola Davis my ‘Woman King,’” DeBose rapped. “Blanchett Cate you’re a genius, Jamie Lee you are all of us.” As online commentary grew, the actress was further defended by production.

Ariana Debose Removes Herself From Social Media

BAFTAs awards producer Nick Bullen told Variety that criticisms were “unfair.” He also claimed DeBose worked closely with her team to create and choreograph her piece. After a day or two of finding her mentions flooded with critics, trolls, and cruelty, DeBose reportedly deleted her Twitter account. Her fans were disappointed at how she was treated by the public.

“We wanted to open the show with some energy, some fun,” Bullen also shared. “And also lay out straight away that this was hopefully going to feel like a different night, but with a familiarity as well, and what Ariana did was exactly that. I think a lot of people don’t like change, and there’s a view that the BAFTAs have to be this slightly stiff, traditional British, middle-England messaging. But American awards shows have much more razzmatazz, much more showbiz, and perhaps a broader range of people being involved. We felt we’re not about revolution, we’re about evolution.”

Ariana DeBose Laughs Of Critics

Additionally, after Evan Ross Katz shared several memes of DeBose, she appeared in his comment section. It looks like she’s also aware of the overwhelming “Angela Bassett did a thing” memes that have popped up on the internet. To them, she said, “Honestly I love this.” Check it out above.

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