Angela Bassett Did The Thing memes go viral after Ariana DeBose's BAFTA performance
21 February 2023, 12:49
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Ariana DeBose celebrates BAFTAs performance
What did Angela Bassett do? The thing, girl!
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If you didn't tune into the BAFTAs live on Sunday night (Feb 19), then you would have missed Ariana DeBose's now viral performance.
During the ceremony, the Academy Award-winning star Ariana opened the show with an energetic performance featuring Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin's banger 'Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves', where she name-checked the female nominees in the audience.
It was fun, it was cute and it was wild, in the best way. Viola Davis loved it. And of course, it immediately went viral.
While there was a lot of negative and unfair reaction towards Ariana's performance, the other side of social media has become obsessed with one of the lyrics in the song.
After rapping her way through celebratory shout-outs to the likes of Hong Chau, Emma Thompson and Michelle Yeoh, Ariana rapped: "Angela Bassett did the thing! Viola Davis, my Woman King!" And in true internet fashion, those lyrics have now been turned into a meme.
Following some of the negative commentary surrounding her performance, Ariana reportedly deactivated her Twitter account. But thankfully, it seems like she's enjoying the memes about her now legendary Angela Bassett lyric.
Ariana responded to the viral moment with a comment on writer Evan Ross Katz's Instagram post featuring a round up of some of the reactions – and she loved it.
"Honestly, I love this," Ariana wrote, with fans taking the time to let her know that her performance was "iconic", and to thank her for "creat[ing] an obsessional, joyous & fun moment."
Another added: "We appreciate you. Thank you for this new humorous gem!"
Here are some of the best and funniest memes about Angela Bassett doing the thing.
February 19th is henceforth known as International "Angela Bassett Did The Thing" Day.
me when angela bassett did the thing pic.twitter.com/VB7MEmjPP0
— hugeasmammoth.films (@hugeasmammoth_) February 20, 2023
It's been on a loop in my head for almost 48 hours.
me: turns on humidifier, turns off the lights, gets under the covers, prepares for 8 hours of restful sleep
— alex (@alex_abads) February 21, 2023
my brain: pic.twitter.com/4rb9HjRsni
Marie Laveau, my Voodoo Queen!
me talking about american horror story s3 pic.twitter.com/XTwq2TcuUj
— tia (@cursedhive) February 20, 2023
Ryan Murphy needs to capitalise on this Angela Bassett moment expeditiously!
Me after seasons 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 of American Horror Story pic.twitter.com/RqTigbnv8E
— Joe🥤 (@JoePassmore) February 20, 2023
Good for her!
Ariana DeBose has reportedly turned down a performance at King Charles III’s coronation.
— Charlie Duncan (@CharlieHDuncan) February 20, 2023
"Viola Davis is my woman King", she said. pic.twitter.com/E3joKAfXxb
And what is The [Damn] Thing, exactly? Being iconic.
— Rebecca Alter (@ralter) February 20, 2023
Get Kevin Feige on the phone STAT, the multiverse has a new power couple!
💛 happy for them pic.twitter.com/1Z5bZbiJJA
— lemon (@thatbitchlemon) February 20, 2023
For the rest of Angela Bassett's career and beyond, we will be saying this line.
— wolfgang ruth (@itswolfgangruth) February 20, 2023
Ariana DeBose: "I am going to drop a bar so iconic..."
Angela Bassett before she did the thing pic.twitter.com/FCG0oEgr8d
— ⭐ amy o'connor ⭐ (@amyohconnor) February 20, 2023
TWO ICONS STAND BEFORE ME!
"you did the thing"
— Wendell (@RhodeToLove) February 20, 2023
"my woman king" https://t.co/BGfCKDdy5h
No one was having a better time than Viola Davis, my Woman King.
how did i just notice viola snapping lol pic.twitter.com/y9kYEoJwGY
— hunter harris (@hunteryharris) February 20, 2023
Ariana DeBose has spoken it into existence, and she will be cemented in history when the prophecy is fulfilled.
When Angela Bassett wins the oscar she must start het speech by saying “and in the words of ariana debose, i did the thing”
— Murtada Elfadl (@ME_Says) February 20, 2023
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