Bella Ramsey, who has earned critical acclaim for her performances in Game of Thrones and HBO’s The Last of Us, became the recent target of fierce online hate. At the age of 21, the British actress has been bullied for how she looks, her gender identity, and her characterization of Ellie a lesbian character in HBO’s adaptation of the hit video game, which received widespread critical acclaim.
Even after receiving Emmy and Golden Globe award nominations, Ramsey has also received brutal backlash on the internet via platforms such as Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Most of the criticism arises from her being cast as Ellie, a fan-favorite character in the game who boasts a powerful LGBTQ+ story. Other critics went so far as labeling her “one of the ugliest women on planet Earth” and a “woke clown,” holding up her looks and identity as reasons for what they alleged “ruined” the show for them.
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Other users have even substituted her image in memes with cartoon characters in The Goonies, making fun of her appearance and ignoring her strong performance. The backlash points to a worrying trend of intolerance against actors who break traditional notions of beauty or represent diverse identities—following criticism against Rachel Zegler and Halle Bailey in the past.
Also Read: Why Bella Ramsey Couldn’t Hold Back Tears: The Heartwarming Story Behind the Scene
Ramsey, who identifies as non-binary and has spoken openly about her struggles with anorexia, autism, and mental health, has now stepped back from social media. In an interview with The New York Times, she revealed that while she initially tried to stay connected with fans online, the negativity became overwhelming. “It’s the first time I’ve ever had a negative reaction to something,” she said.
In a previous interview with co-actor Kit Harington, she confirmed closing her Instagram and Twitter accounts, saying, “I’ve reached a point where I don’t actually need this anymore.”
Ramsey’s move highlights the psychological cost of cyber hate and the importance of empathy and respect in online communities.
