The Last of Us actor Bella Ramsey has spoken out over being told she didn’t have the ‘Hollywood look’ during one of her first-ever auditions in the business.
Despite going on to star in the hit HBO series, the actor revealed that the comment has stuck with her into adulthood.
But, while most of us would have turned away from acting forever, Ramsey rose above the harsh criticism to become an A-Lister at just 19 years old.
However, The Last of Us wasn’t the actor’s big break.
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After joining drama school, Ramsey bagged a recurring role in another HBO epic - Game of Thrones.
At just 13, the then-unknown star beat out hundreds of others to play Lady Lyanna Mormont in the long-running fantasy series.
Since then, Ramsey has become a household name and worked alongside veteran actor Pedro Pascal in the zombie-apocalypse thriller The Last Of Us.
Yet, one throwaway comment by a director in an early audition shook the actor to her core.
“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',” the star said, gesturing air quotes.
While the Catherine Called Birdy star didn’t name and shame the production, she did admit the comment has stayed with her.
The actor added: “That’s something that I’ve always found very interesting.”
As the clip resurfaced online, it quickly gained over 2.7 million views and sparked an important conversation about the unrealistic beauty standards placed upon child actors.
Many have taken to social media to defend Ramsey, with fans saying how ‘sad’ it is that children have to endure this.
One wrote: “that is so sad and infuriating, wtf do they mean by saying they don’t have the ‘Hollywood look’.”
Others quickly followed, with many wondering why the director didn’t give another reason for Ramsey not making the cut and risked traumatising the young actor for life.
Another added: “They really could have told her anything else for why she didn’t get that part. But no let’s give this little girl some lasting trauma…some real ruthless people out there.”
Sharing the clip on the social media platform, an angry fan also wrote: “saying that to a child is so f**ked up… god Hollywood sucks.”
Well, it's safe to say now Ramsey has become one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, I'm sure that director is eating their words.
Topics: Celebrity, The Last of Us, Bella Ramsey, Film and TV, Entertainment
Katherine Sidnell