Storm Reid

Storm Reid addressed her kiss with Bella Ramsey onscreen in the latest "Last of Us" episode, questioning backlash to the LGBTQ storyline.

If you don’t want to watch the show because it has gay storylines, because it has a [trans character](https://www.indiewire.com/2023/02/bella-ramsey-wore-chest-binder-the-last-of-us-1234809418/), that’s on you, and you’re missing out.” Conservative critics like Ben Shapiro complained the episode was a [“Brokeback Mountain” type of story without zombies](https://www.indiewire.com/2023/02/ben-shapiro-slammed-the-last-of-us-queer-no-zombies-1234807659/). The “Missing” actress addressed the “complexity” of character Riley’s relationship with Ellie, saying, “We are on the tightrope of a friendship and having a crush, or is it a crush? [Entertainment Weekly](https://ew.com/tv/the-last-of-us-riley-storm-reid-homophobic-backlash/) ahead of the episode airing. And furthermore, the complexity of what Ellie and Riley’s relationship is I find just so beautiful.” [We are telling important stories](https://www.indiewire.com/2023/01/storm-reid-missing-did-not-know-searching-1234800776/).

The Last Of Us star Storm Reid praises the show for championing queer stories.

“I know people will think what they want to think. Love is beautiful, and the fact that people have things to say about it, it’s just nonsense.” There’s so many other things to worry about in life. If you’re concerned about who I love, then I need you to get your priorities straight. I just don’t—I will never understand it. I don’t get it.”

The 19-year-old actress spoke to BAZAAR.com about her one episode arc on HBO's 'The Last of Us' and creating emotional television.

“I love that you can dream all of your dreams and turn your dreams into reality, but at the end of the day, you are still a good person. When thinking about her time on the set, and specifically about the final scene between Riley and Ellie, she tells me she remembers seeing some of the camera operators look like they were about to burst into tears. After a beat, she continues with “it’s such a beautiful way to tell the story though.” [Euphoria](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/g39327854/top-euphoria-tv-facts-trivia/), working on movies like A Wrinkle in Time and The Invisible Man, and, as of 2021, attending the University of Southern California. “I’m glad to be able to make the natural transition into roles that are a little bit more reflective of where I am in life,” Reid tells BAZAAR.com. Once inside, they partake in the wonders of the mall, like riding a carousel, taking candids in a photo booth, and spending time at the arcade.

After Bella Ramsey spoke out against homophobic backlash, people just kept coming for the queers, and Reid isn't taking it.

And furthermore, the complexity of what Ellie and Riley’s relationship is I find just so beautiful.” They had, after all, gotten very angry after episode three, “ [Long Long Time](https://gizmodo.com/last-of-us-episode-3-recap-pedro-pascal-nick-offerman-1850021207),” centered on a gay love story, [something Ramsey addressed after its release](https://gizmodo.com/the-last-of-us-bella-ramsey-review-bomb-lgbtq-season-2-1850109818). Near the [end of the episode](https://gizmodo.com/last-of-us-episode-6-recap-kin-hbo-max-pascal-ramsey-1850120695), they kiss, just before a tear-jerker ending.

Storm Reid, who appears in The Last of Us' 7th episode, claps back at homophobic critics.

I think despite what people are going to say, if they don't like it, I think there are going to be a lot more people that appreciate it." I just don't — I will never understand it. It was just finding the nuances, finding her quirks, finding her optimism and how she moves through the world and takes up space. Reid said, "I think Bella put it perfectly a couple of weeks ago: "If you don't like it, don't watch." Episode 7, titled "Left Behind," [jumps back to a time before Joel and Ellie's cross-country journey](https://movieweb.com/the-last-of-us-where-will-joel-story-go/). Reid initially revealed how she approached her character Riley, who only appeared in a single episode of the show.

Bella Ramsey and Storm Reid have no time for homophobes who hate The Last of Us and their characters, Ellie and Riley.

Amidst the chaos of [the fungal apocalypse](https://www.popsugar.co.uk/entertainment/last-of-us-fungus-infection-49063250), the pair fall in love and build a beautiful life together. [the story of Bill and Frank](https://www.popsugar.co.uk/entertainment/the-last-of-us-bill-frank-49073655), played by Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett. In the seventh episode of "The Last of Us," released Feb. Reid added, "I think despite what people are going to say, if they don't like it, I think there are going to be a lot more people that appreciate it. The episode's plot comes right out of [the video game the show is based on](https://www.popsugar.co.uk/entertainment/the-last-of-us-game-spoilers-49062129), where Ellie is also a lesbian. They continued, "I know people will think what they want to think.

Storm Reid plays Bella Ramsey's onscreen crush in the latest episode of HBO's 'The Last of Us,' based on the popular video game of the same name.

“The way that that is shown and translated into a story like this is so cool.” “If you don’t want to watch the show because it has gay storylines, because it has a trans character, that’s on you.” “People will think what they want to think. “It becomes real between action and cut.” A lot more people that feel represented and seen and heard,” Reid told Variety. [Variety](https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-last-of-us-storm-reid-bella-ramsey-left-behind-1235534952/) published on Sunday, Reid preemptively dismissed anyone who might take issue with the young-love story at the heart of her debut episode.

The Last of Us actress Storm Reid blasted homophobic critics of the show in a recent interview with Variety. Actress Storm Reid had some choice words for ...

“I think despite what people are going to say, if they don’t like it, I think there are going to be a lot more people that appreciate it,” Reid continued. She added, “I know people will think what they want to think. I think that comes from a place of defiance.” “A lot more people that feel represented and seen and heard. Critics against the public display of affection between two women blasted the episode in IMDB reviews, also condemning third episode, [“Long Long Time.”](https://www.okayplayer.com/culture/the-last-of-us-episode-long-long-time.html) I just don’t — I will never understand it.

"There's so many other things to worry about in life. Why are you concerned that these young people — or anybody — love each other?

Love is beautiful, and the fact that people have things to say about it, it's just nonsense." Why are you concerned that these young people — or anybody — love each other? "There's so many other things to worry about in life.

Euphoria's Storm Reid discusses what attracted her to the role of Riley The Last of Us, and how she handled the heavy episode.

Reid also discussed Riley’s motivations for joining the Fireflies, saying that in her attempts to make a mark on the world through these efforts, she finds her own sense of purpose. ‘People are fighting for their lives and they’re fighting to stay alive… you can find yourself in [Episode 7] – and all the episodes really – but specifically this episode. Reid spoke of scenes between her and co-star Bella Ramsey (Ellie) as having a childlike, joyous nature, despite also being coupled with the more challenging emotional beats of the episode’s conclusion. You can see yourself within [Ellie and Riley], and what they’re going through.’ It was an opportunity for Riley and Ellie to enjoy their adolescence. No matter people’s different circumstances or experiences, I think people will be able to find something that they can point to that resonates with them.’ Whilst Reid understood Riley’s character and knew audiences loved her, she wanted to incorporate elements of her own personality into her performance. ‘Bella Ramsey is a great human being, an incredible talent,’ she said. She’s the best friend of Ellie (Bella Ramsey), and is later revealed as a romantic interest. Episode 7 presents a first extensive glimpse into Ellie’s backstory growing up in the Boston Quarantine Zone, set shortly before discovering her immunity and meeting protagonist Joel (Pedro Pascal). I think it’s so beautiful.’

Riley goes missing for a while, before coming back to tell Ellie that she has joined rebel group Fireflies. The pair spend the night in an abandoned shopping ...

Actress Storm Reid opened up to Entertainment Weekly about homophobic comments surrounding the queer relationships in HBO's "The Last of Us."

Despite the backlash, Storm's performance in the heartbreaking episode of The Last of Us was outstanding. The actor opened up to [Entertainment Weekly](https://ew.com/tv/the-last-of-us-riley-storm-reid-homophobic-backlash/) about homophobic reactions to queer relationships in the series and used comments from her costar Bella Ramsey to reinforce the importance of sharing queer experiences in film and on tv. Love is beautiful, and the fact that people have things to say about it, it's just nonsense. That's what makes good storytelling because we are telling stories of people who are taking up space in the world." "There's so many other things to worry about in life. "We're telling stories of people's experiences, and that's what I live for.

Ellie is gay in both The Last of Us game and show and yet the series has been subject to homophobic backlash.

Here's what happens to him and Ellie](https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/news/the-last-of-us-game-joel-die-ellie-spoilers/) [GQ](https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/bella-ramsey-interview-2023) about the backlash to The Last of Us' LGBTQ+ characters previously, Bella said: "I know people will think what they want to think. The complexity of what Ellie and Riley's relationship is I find just so beautiful." [Bella Ramsey](https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/features/bella-ramsey/)). We are on the tightrope of a friendship and having a crush... If you don’t want to watch the show because it has gay storylines, because it has a trans character, that’s on you, and you’re missing out." That's what makes good storytelling...because we are telling stories of people who are taking up space in the world." If you're concerned about who I love, then I need you to get your priorities straight. And yet, Riley and Ellie's kiss in the show has [sparked backlash from homophobic fans](https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/news/the-last-of-us-episode-3-review-imdb-gay/). We're telling stories of people's experiences, and that's what I live for. [The Last of Us creators explain the gay subtext behind Ellie and Riley's lingerie scene](https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/the-last-of-us/ellie-riley-gay-lingerie-meaning-episode-7/) [The Last of Us](https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/the-last-of-us/) episode 7 and defended Ellie and Riley's relationship.

A moment in HBO's 'The Last of Us' depicting a kiss between two teenage women has fired up the anti-gay forces of the right.

On Twitter, Offerman quoted a user’s negative remark, writing, “Buddy, your brand of ignorance and hate is exactly why we make stories like this.” (The original commenter’s account has since been deleted.) And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. Reid is seen in a flashback to Ellie’s days under the supervision of FEDRA, the U.S. Reid is featured in the show’s seventh episode as Riley, a friend Ellie’s (Ramsey), one of the main characters. “I’m representing young Black women and I’m representing young queer women that are experiencing new feelings and new relationships. That’s what makes good storytelling, because we are telling stories of people who are taking up space in the world.”

Storm Reid has a message for homophobic viewers of the HBO show The Last Of Us. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Reid addressed the backlash ...

'The Last of Us' actors Storm Reid and Bella Ramsey have both taken time to shut down critics of queer representation on the hit HBO series.

And furthermore, the complexity of what Ellie and Riley’s relationship is I find just so beautiful.” I’m representing young Black women and I’m representing young queer women that are experiencing new feelings and new relationships.” She’s also thrilled with what she and Ramsey came up with, adding, “There’s just so much that goes into the complexity of what the episode is. [Entertainment Weekly](https://ew.com/tv/the-last-of-us-riley-storm-reid-homophobic-backlash/) wrote that in an interview, Reid “admits the inevitable homophobic response did cross her mind” leading up to “Left Behind.” If you’re concerned about who I love, then I need you to get your priorities straight. That’s what makes good storytelling, because we are telling stories of people who are taking up space in the world.” We’re telling stories of people’s experiences, and that’s what I live for.