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Jamie Lee Curtis has come out swinging against critics of Ariana DeBose’s rap at the 2023 BAFTAS.
Well, the West Side Story star has been making headlines over her divisive opening performance at the awards ceremony.
DeBose treated us to a rendition of Eurythmics hit 'Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves', adding in a rap part way through to call out several female stars in the audience.
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However, it didn’t help that when the camera panned to the actors’ faces; they looked more lost than John Travolta in that infamous Pulp Fiction gif.
The performance left many scratching their heads, as one Twitter user wrote: “Ariana DeBose’s rap at BAFTA is simultaneously awful and amazing. Like, I can’t stop watching it.”
Another said: “This is an obvious reason why we should bully theater kids.”
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While another commented: “Actually this is just a video of drunk me talking about my favorite milfs.”
But Curtis quickly came to the actor’s defence upon hearing of the backlash.
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The actor shared some words of praise to Deadline: “I am unclear as to what the f**k people are on about, and for me, it was joyous, celebratory, sisterly, hot, spicy, and she’s just so incredibly talented.
“I don’t know what, the one thing I know is that it was shocking to me, you know, it’s in a theater, it’s not a taping, it’s not at tables, and so you’re in a theater.
“...If you’re looking this way and there’s the stage, and you’re watching her on stage these camera people…[motions hands in front of reporter’s face] they would be here, and you know they’re there, and you’re like, ‘Why is this camera person this close to me?’"
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She added: “None of us knew what she was doing, so when they cut to us, I was into it, but by the time it got to me, I was into the music, and I was having a great time.
She is a fantastic talent; these people should shut the f**k up, back the f**k off and let this woman just shine her light because she is fantastic.”
My god, if I ever get into a conflict, I want the OG final girl right by my side.
DeBose also addressed the performance and said she swiftly brushed off the criticism.
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“Honestly, it’s not like I was like, ‘Hey BAFTA, let me in!’” she told host Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2’s “Breakfast Show.
She added that director Baz Luhrmann gave his mark of approval.
“He was like: ‘No, I think you’re great. That was fun. I had fun,’” DeBose told Ball.
“And I was like, ‘work.’ That’s a win, you guys. And apparently, gay Twitter seemed to like it, so that’s good. I’ll take it.”
Charisa Bossinakis