With two juggernaut HBO TV shows under their belt, a growing list of critically acclaimed roles and calls for them to win an Emmy for their performance as Ellie in The Last of Us, Bella Ramsey is truly The Moment.
The actor got their big break after joining the cast of Game of Thrones as fan favourite Lady Lyanna Mormont at the age of 13, but Bella’s acting career began years before that when they were just four years old.
Sadly, however, the young actor faced some pretty harsh comments from Hollywood casting directors at the start of their career in regards to their appearance. Bella has revealed that they were once turned away from a role because they didn’t have the “Hollywood look”.
Last week (March 25), a clip of Bella speaking in an interview resurfaced on Twitter where the star discussed one of their first ever auditions.
While promoting Catherine Called Birdy, Bella recounted the story, saying: “I was told [in] one of my first auditions ever… The director really liked me but I didn’t get the part because I didn’t have the ‘Hollywood look.’”
Adding air quotes to the “Hollywood look” comment, Bella went on to add: “That’s something that I’ve always found very interesting.”
Reacting to the clip, one fan wrote: “Saying that to a child is so effed up… god hollywood sucks.” Another added: “imagine being 6 or 7 and being told that still very sad.”
It’s unclear how old Bella was when that incredibly hurtful comment came their way, but as fans have now pointed out, they had the last laugh thanks to all their recent success.
It’s not the first time Bella has opened up about the comments they’ve had to deal with about their appearance. Ahead of The Last of Us, Bella spoke candidly about the trolls within the gaming fandom that took issue with their casting because of their appearance and the fact that they didn’t look like Game Ellie.
Speaking to GQ UK about the comments they were subject to after the casting announcement, Bella said: “You’re looking for a comment that’s more painful than the last one. I’d kid myself that I was doing it in jest.”
“I wish I could say that I was confident enough [already] that it hasn’t affected me in any way, but it has.”