‘Did The Thing’ Ting Ariana DeBose Laughs Off Backlash Over Her Boundlessly Befuddling BAFTAs Performance—‘Honestly, I Love This!’
Angela Bassett praising performer Ariana DeBose is responding to the backlash she faced for her copiously cringey opening at the BAFTAs.
Source: David M. Benett / Getty
The 32-year-old “did the thing” ting kicked off the ceremony Sunday with a theatrical rendition of “Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves” and “We Are Family,” before she launched into an interesting rap song and dance honoring the night’s biggest female nominees.
Joined by a group of dancers, the Oscar winner shimmied and swayed her hips across the stage as she broke out a few bars praising stars like Angela Bassett and Viola Davis for their phenomenal work in the film industry.
the full version of ariana debose’s bafta rap is somehow even better / worse than the short clip pic.twitter.com/rD85l19GVS
— a (@thisisnotahmad) February 21, 2023
In one part of the song, the actress rapped:
“Angela Bassett did the thing, Viola Davis my ‘Woman King,’ Blanchett Cate you’re a genius, Jamie Lee you are all of us.”
The sentiment was felt by some folks, but as the camera panned toward a part of the crowd, a few attendees looked absolutely puzzled by Debose’s performance.
The moments before history was made. pic.twitter.com/xLevdgl3Fn
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) February 23, 2023
Social media users sound off about Ariana DeBose’s baffling BAFTA performance
After the show, social media lit up with discourse about the awkward moment, and a ton of people weren’t feeling Debose’s little number.
Source: Kate Green/BAFTA / Getty
“Just awful. Not amazing at all,” wrote one Twitter user, while another person commented:
“Ariana DebBose’s BAFTA rap is a whole other level of the Oscar’s curse.”
Others however thought the performance was cringe-worthy in the best way possible.
Ariana DeBose’s rap at BAFTA is simultaneously awful and amazing. Like, I can’t stop watching it.pic.twitter.com/lxjKrW5vTf
— Brian Rowe (@mrbrianrowe) February 20, 2023
A few fans of DeBose rushed in to defend the rap tribute like @KBlooooop who wrote that the BAFTAs should be cutting the actress a “cheque” for making the ceremony go viral and “relevant overnight.”
While a second user showered DeBose with praise, noting how her BAFTA, Oscar, and SAG awards shouldn’t be overshadowed by the award show fumble.
Y’all looks like BAFTA’s milking out of this hype. They need to give my gurl Ariana DeBose an additional cheque for this kind of publicity honey. BAFTA became relevant overnight. And yes, they set her up. Smh. pic.twitter.com/Na9UkZpXbe
— Karen Blooooop (@KBlooooop) February 21, 2023
And at the end of the Day Ariana DeBose still has her Oscar, BAFTA, SAG, Critics Choice and Golden Globe 🫶🏼 pic.twitter.com/TO0J31kTb8
— Deesiree (@sergrayson) February 20, 2023
Others however have just been stuck on Debose’s “Angela Bassett did the thing” line.
when i randomly remember that angela bassett did the thing and that viola davis is my woman kingpic.twitter.com/zq1MJV3jlY
— gabby (@womenforme) February 22, 2023
Angela Bassett did the thing pic.twitter.com/6E6YEFar7a
— What Y’all On Here Lyin About? (@Jefro5) February 21, 2023
angela bassett did the thing pic.twitter.com/ITZ2S16Wto
— T. Kyle (@tkylemac) February 23, 2023
BAFTA Producers Defend The Awkward Rap Interlude, Ariana DeBose Seemingly Responds To The Backlash
As the backlash began to spill across social media, BAFTA producer Nick Bullen stepped up to defend the opening number.
