Bella Ramsey, the talented actress who brings the character Ellie to life in The Last of Us on HBO, has courageously opened up about their journey with neurodivergence and confirmed their diagnosis of autism. This revelation adds a significant layer to their public persona and highlights the importance of discussing mental health and neurodiversity.

In a recent interview with British Vogue, the 21-year-old performer candidly shared, “I’ve spoken a bit about neurodivergence before, but I always for some reason didn’t want to…I felt like I didn’t want to say what it was… Shoot.” Bella went on to reveal, “I got diagnosed with autism when I was filming season one of The Last of Us,” marking a pivotal moment in their personal journey towards self-acceptance.

Discover more about Bella’s inspiring journey below…

Bella expressed that receiving the diagnosis has been incredibly “freeing,” stating, “It enables me to walk through the world with more grace towards myself about not being able to do the easy everyday tasks that everyone else seems to be able to do.” This insight sheds light on the daily challenges faced by many individuals on the autism spectrum.

Furthermore, Bella shared the circumstances surrounding their diagnosis, mentioning that a crew member with an autistic daughter had suspected that Ramsey might also be on the spectrum. This assumption catalyzed a journey that concluded with a formal psychiatric assessment and diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of awareness and understanding in the neurodiverse community.

They added, “The label of being autistic has been so helpful to me because that’s helped me to understand myself, 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.” This statement reflects the complex relationship individuals may have with labels and societal expectations, further encouraging dialogue about identity and acceptance.