BAFTA viewers left stunned at Ariana DeBose ‘cringe’ opening performance

BAFTA viewers have been left stunned after watching Ariana DeBose’s ‘cringe’ opening performance, saying they were 'p**sing' themselves laughing as they watched along at home.

DeBose treated us to a rendition of Eurythmics hit 'Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves', adding in a rap partway through so that she could call out to a number of female stars in the audience - many of whom could be seen looking stony-faced as the cameras shot to them:

"Bit cringe," one person tweeted.

Someone else said: "Can’t say I was a fan of that rapping."

And a third added: "P**sing myself laughing at the Ariana DeBose BAFTA song. Why did this happen?"

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A fourth said the performance was 'cringeworthy', while another wrote: "That was b****y awful."

Others, meanwhile, had nothing but praise for DeBose – claiming it was the celebs in the audience that made the performance so awkward.

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“Omg Ariana Debose really giving a great performance and the BAFtA audience (except for the American actors) really giving her absolutely nothing,” one said.

While someone else said: "Great song from Ariana DeBose, I actually liked how the nominees were worked in, could’ve been tacky."

Celebs featured in DeBose's rap included the likes of Ana De Armas, Katy Brand, Michelle Yeoh, Viola Davis and Jamie Lee Curtis, with the camera cutting to them as they were mentioned.

While some stars looked a little baffled, a number were more than happy to join in - with Curtis seen dancing away in her seat.

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Her Everything Everywhere All At Once co-star Yeoh also pressed her hand to her chest, looking chuffed to have her shout-out ahead of finding out if she's won the Leading Actress BAFTA for her role in the film, which has been nominated for 10 awards.

The Banshees of Inisherin was also up for 10, but All Quiet on the Western Front has dominated the nominations, having had a total of 14.

Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, meanwhile, had nine nominations, followed by Tár’s five.

Aftersun; The Batman; Good Luck to You, Leo Grande; Top Gun: Maverick and The Whale were all put forward for four awards.

A number of celebs were spotted wearing a blue ribbon - a statement of support for refugees and displaced people around the world.

Speaking to the PA news agency about why she wanted to wear the ribbon, Curtis said: “My friend Cate Blanchett is asking people to remind us all in the midst of all the season of shiny things that of course there are terrible refugee crises going on all over the world everywhere all at once and we need to do our part.”