At just 21, Bella Ramsey has already captivated millions with their powerful portrayal of Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us.
But beyond their on screen success, the young actor has been navigating a far more personal journey one that they now admit came with unexpected emotional weight.
Back in 2023, during the early whirlwind of The Last of Us promotions, Ramsey publicly shared that they identify as non-binary.
The announcement, though intended to be a quiet declaration of truth, spiraled into major headlines something the actor says they weren’t quite prepared for.
“Part of me looks back and I wish that I didn’t, because I didn’t want it to become a headline and a big thing” they recently told The Guardian. “And obviously it was going to, and I didn’t really understand that at the time.”
The vulnerability behind their words highlights the unintended consequence of living authentically in the public eye. What was meant to be an empowering moment turned into a tidal wave of attention, both uplifting and overwhelming.
Ramsey, who prefers they them pronouns but remains flexible, added that the response to their announcement has been “a mixed bag.”
“People have said to me that it’s been very helpful for them seeing some representation” they explained. “So overall, I think it was a good thing just for me living more freely, without feeling like I’m keeping a secret.”
Still, the intense spotlight took its toll. Ramsey recently deactivated their Instagram account, citing admiration for costars like Kit Harington and Jesse Eisenberg, both of whom maintain private lives and minimal social media presence.
“They were famous because they were great at something, not because they were celebrities. They never pushed themselves out there and made themselves more famous” Ramsey said.
That quiet strength, it seems, is something they now aspire to.
As the second season of The Last of Us unfolds with Ellie’s queer relationship storyline at the center, Ramsey is once again balancing artistry with personal identity. But this time around, they’re setting clearer boundaries.
“I’ll talk about it, but I don’t want it to be the focus anymore. I guess I’m just quite chill with it. And I want everyone else to be as chill with it basically” they added.
In another recent interview, Ramsey also revealed they were diagnosed with autism during the filming of the first season of The Last of Us. The diagnosis, they say, has helped them make sense of parts of their life that once felt out of sync.
“It enables me to walk through the world with more grace towards myself about not being able to do the easy everyday tasks that everyone else seems to be able to do” they shared.
While Ramsey admits labels like “autistic” help them understand themselves, they’re less comfortable with rigid definitions when it comes to gender and s*xuality.
“Labels do not feel comfy for me in any capacity. I feel like I’m putting myself into a box. I feel trapped” they confessed.
Despite the challenges, Ramsey has found solace in honest conversations with costar Pedro Pascal, whose sibling Lux is a trans woman. Their chats, according to Ramsey, weren’t always heavy.
“They could be funny and humorous… we were just very honest and open with each other” they said.
In a world eager to define and dissect every detail of a celebrity’s life, Bella Ramsey reminds us that identity is not a headline, it’s a journey. And while that journey might come with moments of doubt, it also opens doors for understanding, for others and for oneself.
Featured Image Credit: (@HBO)(Kate Green/Getty Images)
