Bella Ramsey recently sat down with GQ to discuss their journey thus far through the first season of The Last of Us, including dealing with online negativity.
According to the HBO series' star, they have been "taunted" by online trolls saying they had a "square head," among other things, especially in the beginning when fans of The Last of Us game learned Ramsey would be playing Ellie.
The 19-year-old nonbinary actor shared they read "painful" comments about themselves online but tried to mentally play it off as if it didn't bother them.
"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."
Though the show has become a great success and the role has launched Ramsey into stardom, the damage was already done.
"I wish I could say that I was confident enough [already] that it hasn't affected me in any way, but it has."
Several on Twitter addressed the online hate Ramsey has received, saying that the comments are false and Ramsey's craft speaks for itself.
Fans agreed hands down that Ramsey is perfect as Ellie.
@Nykeem717/Twitter
Ramsey also received criticism because their character is queer.
In the game, Ellie's sexuality wasn't explicitly discussed, but it was made known in the downloadable content Left Behind she was in a romantic relationship with Riley who Ellie shared a kiss with in episode 7.
Despite the criticism, however, Ramsey has no regrets playing Ellie.
"I'm just glad I could do that for [the fans] and for the show and for Ellie. I want to do her justice."
"I know people will think what they want to think. But they're gonna have to get used to it."
"If you don't want to watch the show because it has gay storylines, because it has a trans character, that's on you, and you're missing out."
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