Ariana DeBose shades Critics Choice Awards joke: 'I didn't find it funny'

The "West Side Story" Oscar winner hit up Instagram with her peeved response to Bella Ramsey's scripted quip.

Ariana DeBose, an original Hamilton ensemble member and Academy Award winner for West Side Story, found herself in a moment of bewilderment at the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday.

While announcing the Best Song nominees, The Last of Us actor Bella Ramsey read a scripted joke that included DeBose in a list of "actors who also think that they are singers," along with Jack Black and Ryan Gosling.

The camera captured DeBose's quizzical reaction as the joke unfolded. Ramsey's co-presenter Anthony Ramos, who shared the Broadway stage with DeBose in Hamilton, added a quip, suggesting the lineup was fit for the Grammy Awards.

Ariana DeBose and Bella Ramsey Critics’ Choice Awards
Ariana DeBose and Bella Ramsey.

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images;  Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Ramos’ comment was more on the money, as Black, who performed “Peaches” from The Super Mario Bros. Movie, is a 2015 Grammy Award-winner for Best Metal Performance with his band Tenacious D, and Gosling, who performed “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie, rose to fame on the musical-skewing The Mickey Mouse Club. DeBose performed the nominated song “The Wish” from Disney’s animated musical fantasy Wish.

Ariana DeBose Critics Choice
Ariana DeBose Instagram Story.

Ariana DeBose/Instagram

DeBose later took to her Instagram Story to clarify her reaction to the joke and wrote, 'No I didn’t find it funny. Lol.'"

Ultimately, 'I'm Just Ken' claimed the Best Song award, bringing a mix of humor and surprise.

Representatives for DeBose, Ramsey, and the Critics Choice Awards did not immediately respond to EW’s request for comment.

 Ariana DeBose attends the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 14, 2024 in Santa Monica, California
Ariana DeBose on the Red Carpet at the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards.

Kevin Winter/Getty

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related content:

Related Articles