Producer claimed that Ariana DeBose's performance gave the awards show the energy it needed.

Nick Bullen, producer of the BAFTA Awards, is calling out social media criticisms of Ariana de Bose's opening rap.

Variety interviewed the producer Monday to defend the star of "West Side Story". She claimed that the number she and her crew organized was a success. Bullen said that DeBose worked closely with a choreographer and a musical director to put together the entire piece.

After Richard E. Grant, the host's opening monologue was finished, the 32-year old actress took the stage to perform "Sisters Are doing It for Themselves" as well as "We Are Family", before moving into a unique rap that highlighted the ceremony’s female nominees.

Sisters are taking on the responsibility! The 2023 #EEBAFTAs are opened by the amazing @ArianaDeBose with an unforgettable performance pic.twitter.com/G9YgKN2e1t

-- BAFTA (@BAFTA), February 19, 2023

Later, DeBose received flack online for his performance. Twitter users called the lyrics "cringy" as well as "painful" to view.

"Angela Bassett did it, Viola Davis my woman King, Blanchett Cate, Jamie Lee, you're all of us," DeBose sang. She was also a bit out of breath at times.

To be honest, I think it's unfair. Bullen stated that he loved it. It was loved by everyone I spoke to. She is a star and was absolutely amazing. She sang familiar songs and the crowd was clapping along to her songs. People were even dancing to the music.

Producer of the awards show claimed that the rap section was meant to "celebrate the great year for women in cinema."

"The rap section in middle of the video, which mentions the women in the room was because this has been a great film year for women, and we wanted celebrate that. This is a woman from color who is at an all-time high. She opens the BAFTAs by opening with a song that speaks on many levels. He continued.

Bullen stated that he didn't regret the number and believed it was a good fit for what he wanted to do.

DeBose's performance, according to the TV producer, coincided with the BAFTAs new mission to bring more energy and diversity to their audience.

He continued, "We wanted to open this show with energy, some fun and also to lay out straightaway that this was hopefully going be a different evening, but with a familiarity, and Ariana did exactly that."

He stated that a lot people dislike change and believed the BAFTAs should be a stiff, traditional British, middle English message. American awards shows are more glamorous, more showbiz and have a wider range of participants. We feel we aren't about revolution, but about evolution."

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Title: BAFTA Rap: Ariana DeBose Defended by Awards Producer
Sourced From: toofab.com/2023/02/20/bafta-rap-ariana-debose-defended-by-awards-producer/
Published Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2023 19:34:21 +0000

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