Bella Ramsey, known for their role in The Last of Us, opened up about how their autism diagnosis has brought a sense of relief but also how they feel trapped by gender labels.
In an interview, the 19-year-old actor, who portrays Ellie in the hit HBO series, shared their thoughts on being neurodivergent and how it has shaped their identity. “I’ve spoken a bit about neurodivergence before, but I always, for some reason, didn’t want to. I felt like I didn’t want to say what it was,” Ramsey said, reflecting on their experience. They went on to explain that they were diagnosed with autism while filming the first season of The Last of Us, an experience that was, in many ways, liberating.
“[The diagnosis] was freeing,” Ramsey explained. “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.”
The diagnosis, Ramsey said, helped them better understand their own neurodivergent experience. “My experience of moving through the world is as an autistic person,” they added. “There’s no reason for people not to know.”
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While the autism diagnosis provided clarity, Ramsey also spoke candidly about the challenges of navigating gender and sexuality in the public eye. “The label of being autistic has been so helpful to me because that’s helped me to understand myself, but gender and sexuality-wise, labels do not feel comfy for me in any capacity, because I feel like I’m putting myself into a box,” they explained. “I feel trapped.”
The actor expressed frustration about how labels related to gender and sexuality can feel limiting. “It does make me a bit sad that people who aren’t in the public eye can explore their gender identity or sexuality in private,” Ramsey continued. “That’s a privilege I don’t really get anymore.”
As a public figure, Ramsey noted that any exploration of their gender identity or sexuality would likely be done under the scrutiny of the public eye. “If I did want to explore other things, like facets of my gender identity, that would be done publicly,” they said. “As much as I would try and keep it private, if someone recognizes me on the street, say if I’m presenting differently, [and] takes a photo, then that is just talked about.”
Their comments shed light on the unique challenges faced by public figures when it comes to navigating personal identity. While exploring gender identity and sexuality is a personal journey for many, Ramsey highlighted the added layer of visibility that comes with fame and the loss of privacy that often accompanies it.
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Ramsey has been an advocate for mental health and neurodiversity, using their platform to bring attention to issues that affect the LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities. Their openness about their autism diagnosis has resonated with many fans, and their thoughts on gender and sexuality provide insight into the complexities of being a young person in the public eye.
As Ramsey continues to define themselves on their own terms, their journey speaks to the broader conversation around self-discovery and the importance of creating space for people to explore their identities, regardless of societal expectations or public perception.
