In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Bella Ramsey, the 21-year-old non-binary star of HBO’s The Last of Us, has publicly pleaded for an end to a barrage of viral memes that have left them grappling with depression and feeling suffocated by public pressure. The memes, centered around the phrase “I’m Going to Be a Dad” and mocking Ramsey’s appearance and gender identity, have exploded across social media and infiltrated Hollywood circles, amplifying the scrutiny on an already vulnerable young actor. Ramsey’s raw cry—“STOP THIS AND LEAVE ME ALONE!”—has resonated deeply, sparking a global conversation about online harassment, mental health, and the toll of fame in the digital age. What sparked these cruel memes, and why has Ramsey’s plight become a cultural flashpoint? Let’s dive into the heart of this emotional saga.

Bella Ramsey: A Star Under Siege

Bella Ramsey rose to international fame as Ellie in The Last of Us, earning critical acclaim for their raw and nuanced portrayal in the 2023 HBO series. At just 19 during filming, Ramsey became a Gen Z icon, celebrated for their authenticity as a non-binary actor who uses they/them pronouns and openly discusses their autism diagnosis and past struggles with anorexia. However, their meteoric rise has been marred by relentless online harassment, particularly from fans of the original video game who criticize Ramsey’s appearance as not matching Ellie’s digital counterpart.

The harassment intensified in 2024, with Ramsey facing dehumanizing comments on platforms like Reddit, where threads dissected their facial features and gender presentation. In April 2025, Ramsey deactivated their social media accounts, citing “cybermobbing” as a threat to their mental health. Despite their resilience—evident in interviews with The Hollywood Reporter where they spoke of finding strength in their autism—the pressure has continued to mount, culminating in the latest wave of memes that have pushed Ramsey to a breaking point.

The ‘I’m Going to Be a Dad’ Memes: A Cruel Campaign

The “I’m Going to Be a Dad” memes, which surfaced in early May 2025, appear to have originated on platforms like iFunny and Memedroid before spreading to X and Reddit. The phrase, seemingly innocuous, is used in memes that juxtapose Ramsey’s image with mocking captions suggesting they resemble a young man announcing a pregnancy, playing on their androgynous appearance and non-binary identity. One viral meme, shared on 9GAG, features Ramsey’s face edited onto a stock photo of a dad-to-be, with text reading, “Bella Ramsey: ‘I’m Going to Be a Dad!’” Others pair Ramsey with The Last of Us co-star Pedro Pascal, joking about their on-screen dynamic as a “father-daughter” duo gone awry.

These memes, while framed as humor, are deeply hurtful, targeting Ramsey’s gender expression and perpetuating transphobic and misogynistic tropes. Posts on X have amplified the cruelty, with some users calling Ramsey “confused” or “a walking meme.” The memes have also infiltrated Hollywood, with reports of industry insiders sharing them at events, adding a layer of betrayal for Ramsey, who has spoken about feeling like an outsider in the entertainment world. The cumulative effect has been devastating, with sources close to Ramsey describing them as “depressed” and “overwhelmed” by the relentless mockery.

Ramsey’s Plea: A Cry for Relief

On May 20, 2025, Ramsey broke their social media silence with a raw post on Instagram, writing, “STOP THIS AND LEAVE ME ALONE! I’m trying to live my life, and these memes are killing me inside.” The post, which included a black-and-white photo of Ramsey looking somber, detailed their struggle with depression triggered by the memes and the broader pressure of public scrutiny. “I’m human, not a punchline,” they wrote, urging fans to consider the impact of their words. The post was deleted within hours, but screenshots spread rapidly on X, eliciting both support and further mockery.

Ramsey’s outburst has shone a spotlight on their mental health struggles, which they’ve discussed candidly in the past. In a 2024 interview with Eastern Eye, Ramsey revealed that fame exacerbated their anxiety, particularly after The Last of Us thrust them into the global spotlight. Their autism, diagnosed during filming, makes it harder to navigate social media’s barrage of hate, as sensory overload and emotional sensitivity amplify the pain of public criticism. The “I’m Going to Be a Dad” memes, with their focus on Ramsey’s appearance, have struck at a particularly vulnerable spot, echoing earlier harassment that led them to quit social media in April.

The Hollywood Context: A Betraying Spotlight

The memes’ spread within Hollywood has added a layer of complexity to Ramsey’s ordeal. Industry events, such as a recent Los Angeles premiere, reportedly saw insiders sharing the memes, with some joking about Ramsey’s “memeability” as a sign of their cultural impact. This betrayal cuts deep for Ramsey, who has expressed discomfort with Hollywood’s superficiality. Their decision to wear gender-neutral clothing and avoid traditional red-carpet glamour has made them a target for critics who view their authenticity as performative or “woke.”

The Hollywood community’s response has been mixed. Allies like The Last of Us co-star Pedro Pascal have publicly supported Ramsey, with Pascal posting on X, “Bella is a gift to this world, and the hate needs to stop.” Other actors, including Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer and Wednesday’s Emma Myers, have liked Ramsey’s post or shared messages condemning online bullying. However, some industry figures have remained silent, possibly wary of engaging with a controversy tied to gender and identity politics. This silence has fueled Ramsey’s sense of isolation, with sources saying they feel “abandoned” by peers who fear backlash.

The Cultural Flashpoint: Memes, Mental Health, and Free Speech

Ramsey’s plight has sparked a broader conversation about the intersection of memes, mental health, and free speech. Memes, a staple of internet culture, often blur the line between humor and harm, particularly when targeting marginalized groups. Ramsey’s non-binary identity and autism make them especially vulnerable, as memes exploit stereotypes about gender and neurodiversity. Film critic Kelechi Ehenulo, cited by the BBC, noted that young actors like Ramsey face “weaponized” fandoms that punish deviations from traditional norms, a trend also seen with Snow White star Rachel Zegler.

The mental health toll of online harassment is well-documented. A 2023 study by the Pew Research Center found that 41% of young adults have experienced cyberbullying, with LGBTQ+ individuals facing disproportionate abuse. Ramsey’s depression, exacerbated by the memes, underscores this crisis, prompting calls for stronger platform moderation. X’s algorithm, which amplifies polarizing content, has been criticized for boosting the memes, while Reddit’s lax oversight of subreddits like r/TheLastofUs2 has allowed hate to fester.

The free speech debate complicates Ramsey’s response. Some X users argue that memes, however cruel, are protected expression, with one writing, “Bella Ramsey’s too sensitive. Memes are just jokes, not lawsuits.” Others, like @BellaRamseyFan, counter that “jokes stop being funny when they push someone to depression.” Ramsey’s threat to sue, though not formalized, echoes Zegler’s reported plans to target meme creators, raising questions about the feasibility of legal action. Defamation or cyberbullying claims face high hurdles, as courts often protect satirical content, but the threat itself may deter some trolls.

The Industry’s Role: Protecting Young Stars

Hollywood is grappling with how to shield young actors like Ramsey from online hate. Studios like HBO, which produces The Last of Us, have been criticized for not doing enough to support Ramsey, with fans pointing to the lack of a coordinated response to the memes. Disney’s handling of Zegler’s Snow White backlash—hiring a social media manager and scaling back promotion—offers a model, but it also highlights the industry’s reactive approach. The 2024 Gina Carano lawsuit against Disney, alleging wrongful dismissal over controversial posts, has made studios cautious, fearing legal or PR fallout.

Ramsey’s case could push for systemic change. Calls for mental health resources, stricter social media policies, and education on fandom toxicity are gaining traction. The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA has discussed guidelines for protecting members from cyberbullying, though implementation lags. Ramsey’s public plea may accelerate these efforts, forcing the industry to confront its complicity in amplifying stars’ vulnerabilities.

Public Reaction and Social Media Frenzy

The story has exploded on X, where supporters have rallied behind Ramsey with hashtags like #StandWithBella and #StopTheHate. Users like @EllieWilliamsFan shared Ramsey’s deleted post, writing, “Bella Ramsey deserves better. This is disgusting.” Others, however, have doubled down, with @MemeLord420 posting new “I’m Going to Be a Dad” memes, claiming “it’s just internet fun.” Reddit threads on r/memes and r/TheLastofUs2 continue to host mocking content, though some users have called for moderation.

Mainstream media has covered the controversy with empathy, with outlets like Variety and The Guardian framing Ramsey as a victim of toxic fandom. The narrative has drawn comparisons to other harassed stars, such as Star Wars’ Kelly Marie Tran and The Rings of Power’s Ismael Cruz Córdova. The polarized response reflects broader cultural divides, with Ramsey’s supporters advocating for compassion and detractors defending meme culture.

What’s Next?

As Ramsey navigates their depression, their focus remains on The Last of Us Season 2, set for release in 2026. Sources say they are leaning on a small circle of friends and family, including Pascal, for support. The lawsuit threat, while unlikely to materialize, signals their resolve to fight back, potentially through advocacy or public statements. Hollywood’s response—whether through studio action or peer support—will shape Ramsey’s path forward, as will platforms’ willingness to curb toxic content.

For now, Bella Ramsey’s cry against the “I’m Going to Be a Dad” memes stands as a poignant reminder of the human cost of internet cruelty. Their struggle, laid bare in a moment of vulnerability, has sparked a global reckoning with how we treat young stars in the digital age. As the world grapples with this tragedy, Ramsey’s plea echoes: in a culture quick to mock, empathy is a radical act.

Conclusion

The saga of Bella Ramsey’s battle with viral memes is a heartbreaking chapter in the story of modern fame. From the cruel “I’m Going to Be a Dad” memes to Ramsey’s desperate plea for relief, this controversy exposes the dark underbelly of fandom and the toll of public pressure. As Ramsey fights to reclaim their peace, their story challenges us to rethink the boundaries of humor, the power of social media, and the responsibility we share in protecting those in the spotlight. Stay tuned—this emotional journey is far from over.