published on in blog

Is Ariana DeBose OK? She Left Twitter Amongst Criticism of Her BAFTA Rap

During the 2023 BAFTAs, host Ariana DeBose performed an original rap with the line "Angela Bassett did the thing," and it stirred up Twitter.

Source: Getty Images

The 2023 BAFTAs took place on Feb. 19 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. West Side Story star Ariana DeBose hosted the magical evening and treated us to a musical performance of a cover of Eurythmics’ “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves” and Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family." But just as audiences thought she was winding down, she surprised them with an original rap she wrote.

The rap's lyrics praised the female nominees of the night, but as the cameras zoomed in on the audience, there were some confused looks. Here's why.

Source: Getty Images

Ariana DeBose's lyric "Angela Bassett did the thing" becomes the subject of many tweets and memes.

During Ariana's opening monologue at the BAFTAs, she performed an original rap song that shed a light on female nominees.

Sisters are doing it for themselves! The incredible @ArianaDeBose opens the 2023 #EEBAFTAs with an iconic performance! ✨ pic.twitter.com/G9YgKN2e1t

— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 19, 2023

“Angela Basset did the thing / Viola Davis, my Woman King / Blanchett, Cate, you’re a genius / And Jamie Lee, you are all of us," the Schmigadoon! star hollered while performing.

She also mentioned Michelle Yeoh, Dolly De Leon, and Carey Mulligan in her song. But unfortunately, her performance wasn't well-received.

"I still can’t get over how awful Ariana DeBose was," read a tweet sent out during the show. In fact, the Twitterverse was spiraling with contempt for her rap.

ariana debose you’re an oscar winner you don’t have to do this i promise 😭 pic.twitter.com/0b4pjl3OTX

— 𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒎 (@aramnotagoat) February 19, 2023

Not only did Twitter users grade her on her rap, but they also picked on her for being visibly out of breath during the performance.

i can’t stop thinking about that ariana debose video like why was she so out of breath and what was the audience going through hshshwjsgdfj

— lina (@evermoresivy) February 20, 2023

Ariana DeBose has reportedly turned down a performance at King Charles III’s coronation.

"Viola Davis is my woman King", she said. pic.twitter.com/E3joKAfXxb

— Charlie Duncan (@CharlieHDuncan) February 20, 2023

According to Ariana DeBose, Angela Bassett "did the thing."

But amongst all the names mentioned in the rap, it became clear that one line really stuck with fans. "Angela Bassett did the thing" became the subject of countless tweets.

I think Angela Bassett should release a statement

— sam greisman (@SAMGREIS) February 20, 2023

How I sleep knowing Angela Bassett did the thing

pic.twitter.com/fdZkHcUhKF

— Jose (@Psy_ch3) February 21, 2023

Ariana DeBose wasn’t lying!! Angela Bassett did do the thing pic.twitter.com/VhcmA5OMyc

— euan (@imeuanxo) February 20, 2023

While there were some positive comments about Ariana's act, it seemed that the Westworld star had taken the criticism to heart. Ariana deactivated her Twitter account the next day.

Fans in awe of her performance continued to speak highly of her.

i hope Ariana DeBose knows that we loved her musical number and it was camp and fun and it brought us all joy

— alex (@alex_abads) February 21, 2023

Okay but Ariana debose killed it

— Rachel Charlton-Dailey (@RachelCDailey) February 21, 2023

Ariana DeBose has finally broken her silence on her BAFTA performance ... kind of.

Although Ariana went dark on Twitter, where the bulk of the rude comments about her lived, she is still active on Instagram. While she didn't use her account to directly discuss her performance, she did indirectly let fans know that she was feeling better.

Writer and podcast host Evan Ross Katz shared a carousel of memes on the platform that gently teased the now iconic line: “Angela Basset did the thing."

To many fans' surprise, Ariana liked the post and left the comment: "Honestly I love this."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Evan Ross Katz (@evanrosskatz)

For her admirers, this was a sign that she was feeling better and maybe even nearing the point where she could look back at the night and laugh.

"Ariana DeBose needs to reactivate Twitter and seize this moment," wrote a fan on Twitter. "She will have stans for LIFE after serving that level of camp to us on a platter."

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pbXSramam6Ses7p6wqikaKhflr%2Bqrc2aZJ2dkqTApnnBmp2tmV2pxKax06w%3D