Bella Ramsey recently discussed the challenges they faced when selecting their pronouns. In a conversation with Louis Theroux for the fifth season of The Louis Theroux Podcast, Ramsey, who identifies as non-binary, shared the reasons for their decision to change pronouns after the first season of The Last of Us. This HBO series, which depicts a post-apocalyptic world, features Ramsey alongside Pedro Pascal and its second season was recently released.
“I never thought about pronouns really until season one of The Last of Us was coming out. Suddenly I had to choose what pronoun I wanted people to write about me with,” said Bella.
Ramsey described the process as stressful, highlighting the pressure they felt because they weren’t sure of their preference. They recounted an experience on the set of The Last of Us, where there was uncertainty about which pronouns to use. Bella expressed a flexible approach, telling people to refer to them as they perceive them.
“I’m so aware that I get into a taxi and the taxi guy’s gonna call me ‘she’. It’s just a natural thing that happens in your brain… which I completely get.
“I’ve never been strict about ‘they/them’, because I think I just don’t really care. Also, I’m very comfortable in who I am. I know how important it is for other people, but for me it’s not as important right now.”
During their discussion, Louis Theroux also mentioned Bella’s Emmy nomination in the female category for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series.
At the time, the Emmy Awards faced criticism, with some fans expressing disappointment over Bella’s categorization.
“There was a little bit of a fuss when you were nominated in the female category for acting, was it the Emmy? Some people took that as insulting to you,” said Louis.
Bella noted they were not offended by the nomination and emphasized the importance of maintaining recognition for women in the film and television industry.
“I think it’s so important that that’s preserved as well, recognition for women in the industry is preserved. I think the gendered categories conversation is a really interesting one and I don’t have the answer and I wish that there was something that was an easy way around it, but I think that it is really important that we have a female category and a male category,” they said.
“But then where do non-binary or gender non-conforming people fit into that? I don’t know. I’ve thought about, I’ve literally sat and tried to think my way to the answer and haven’t got there.”
At age 19, Bella publicly identified as non-binary during the promotional period for The Last of Us in January 2023.
Bella later clarified their intention to avoid turning their identity into a major news story.
“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 told the Guardian.
“And obviously it was going to, and I didn’t really understand that at the time. And I wasn’t really prepared for that. But on the other hand, people have said to me that it’s been very helpful for them seeing some representation.
“So it’s been a mixed bag, but overall, I think it was a good thing, just for me living more freely, without feeling like I’m keeping a secret.”
The Louis Theroux Podcast can be accessed on Spotify and other podcast platforms.