Ariana DeBose told Disney CEO 'we're gonna do the work' to combat 'Don't Say Gay' bill

Triple threat, and now history-making Oscar winner Ariana Debose is using her spotlight for change. On Sunday, she became the first openly queer woman of colour to win an Oscar for acting, and her acceptance speech reminded everyone that marginalized stories matter. Now, she’s putting her money where her mouth is.

In an interview with Variety that took place on the Oscar’s red carpet on Sunday, the West Side Story star revealed that, in response to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill, she privately reached out to Disney CEO Bob Chapek to discuss the matter, after it was revealed Disney had donated to lawmakers who were pushing to pass to the anti-queer piece of legislation.

Speaking on the red carpet with Variety’s Mark Malkin, Ariana revealed, “Bob and I, we’re gonna do the work. I have [spoken to Chapek]. I’m a very hands-on type of person. And when I see something, I say something. And while I may not always put it on the internet, I do that. I reached out. And I will continue to reach out and Bob knows that.”

Earlier in the interview, she quipped, “We’re here. We’re queer. And we’ve been here,” echoing the famous NYC Gay Pride Parade chant of the 1990s.

The anti-queer legislation in question, which was passed into law on Monday by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity to school children of a certain age. Perceived violations of this law would allow parents to sue.

After it was revealed that Disney donated funds to the Republican lawmakers who were in favour of passing the bill, a swift backlash ensued from fans, employees and stars of Disney properties. In response, CEO Chapek sent out an internal memo to angered Disney staff, claiming that the “diverse stories” Disney tells is a better method to combat hate.

That prompted Disney Pixar employees to pen an angry rebuttal and they also staged a walk-out. After immense backlash, Disney announced it would pause all political donations, and Chapek himself declared that the company “condemned” the bill, and would work to repeal it.

During her emotional acceptance speech for her performance in director Steven Spielberg’s musical remake, Ariana spoke directly to other queer artists to share her story and remind them they’re not alone. 

“Imagine this little girl in the back seat of a white Ford Focus, look into her eyes, you see an openly queer woman of colour, an Afro-Latina, who found her strength in life through art, and that’s what I believe we’re here to celebrate,” she said.

“So to anybody who’s ever questioned your identity, ever, ever, ever, or you find yourself living in the gray spaces, I promise you this, there is indeed a place for us.”