Bella Ramsey Opens Up About Love and Self-Discovery

Actor Bella Ramsey has recently shared a rare glimpse into their personal life, touching upon their experiences with love and self-discovery. Known for their role in the critically acclaimed series "The Last of Us," Ramsey has captivated audiences both on and off screen with their candid reflections.

In Love On and Off Screen

In a heartfelt interview with Vogue, Ramsey revealed that they fell "properly in love" for the first time while filming the second season of HBO’s post-apocalyptic drama "The Last of Us" in early 2024. This real-life experience paralleled that of their on-screen character, Ellie, who also finds love in the upcoming season.

Season two of "The Last of Us" introduces fans to Dina, played by Isabela Merced, who becomes Ellie's close friend and eventual love interest. Reflecting on the unique experience of portraying a character in love while being in love themselves, Ramsey expressed, "Experiencing that while I was filming the show was really special."

Though Ramsey did not disclose the identity of their romantic partner, there has been much speculation. Rumors suggest Ramsey may be dating Maisy Stella, known for her roles in "Nashville" and "My Old Ass." In September, Stella shared a touching birthday tribute to Ramsey on Instagram, adding fire to the rumors.

Understanding Neurodiversity

Beyond their love life, Ramsey also shared a significant personal revelation during their conversation with Vogue. They were diagnosed with autism while filming the first season of "The Last of Us." For Ramsey, this diagnosis was a transformative and "freeing" experience that helped them better understand themselves.

Ramsey recounted always feeling like a "weirdo" or "loner" during their school years, often finding comfort in the company of adults rather than peers. This sense of being different led them to question their own neurodiversity long before the official diagnosis.

After interacting with a crew member of "The Last of Us" who had an autistic daughter, Ramsey was encouraged to seek a psychiatric assessment. The subsequent diagnosis of autism provided clarity and allowed them to "walk through the world with more grace" regarding their unique challenges.

They articulated how autism has influenced their acting, noting, "I’ve always been watching and learning from people. Having to learn more manually how to socialize and interact with the people around me has helped me with acting."

Complexity of Identity

While the autism label provided Ramsey with a sense of understanding, they expressed feeling less comfortable with labels concerning their gender and sexuality. Identifying as non-binary, Ramsey has previously suggested that they are not "100 percent straight," but they prefer not to confine themselves to specific labels.

"Part of the job of being an actor is that you’re supposed to have an answer to every question that people ask you," they explained. "But actually, the answer can be: ‘I don’t know and I’m not ready to talk about that,’ and that’s something that I’m still figuring out."

For Ramsey, the journey of self-discovery is ongoing. They find comfort in embracing the unknown and allowing themselves the freedom to explore their identity without the constraints of rigid definitions.

"The label of being autistic has been so helpful to me because that’s helped me to understand myself," Ramsey shared, "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. I feel trapped."

As "The Last of Us" returns to HBO on April 13, fans eagerly anticipate seeing more of Ramsey’s powerful performance as Ellie. Beyond the screen, Ramsey continues to inspire with their openness and authenticity, contributing to important conversations about love, identity, and neurodiversity.

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