Ariana Debose and Jo Ellen Pellman | Instagram Live | January 8th 2021

Ariana Debose and Jo Ellen Pellman (stars of The Prom and creators of The Unruly Hearts Initiative) go live to update their followers about the success of their recent auction.
“We created the Unruly Hearts Initiative for anyone who is driven to get help or inspired to make a donation after watching THE PROM on Netflix. Often when we're overwhelmed and looking for help, we don't know where to begin. The initiative connects our young audiences with trusted organizations that advocate for the LGBTQ+ community through resources for:
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HOUSING INSECURITY SOLUTIONS
MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS
MENTORSHIP AND EDUCATION ACCESS”
Check out The Unruly Hearts Initiative here: www.unrulyheartsinitiative.com/

[@dylans.1741]

These two seem like a great couple. It's really great to see a same-sex couple in a movie portrayed by actors who are actually LGBT, especially when it's two actors who are in a relationship in real life. Really adds a layer of authenticity to the performance.

[@jp9707]

Are they/were they in a relationship? I got the impression they're just really close friends!

[@dylans.1741]

@@jp9707 I read somewhere that they were dating, though I don't know how reliable the source is. Of course, the fact that Ari called Jo Ellen "boo," seems to imply romantic context, but not necessarily. I'm not 100 percent sure, so take it with a grain of salt

[@SWein66]

They are totally not in a romantic relationship with each other.

[@dylans.1741]

@@SWein66 I actually found that out later. As it turns out, Ari had already been a relationship with another girl at that point, and had been since 2015. As for why I thought that she was dating Jo Ellen, I think that I might have misread something somewhere that lead me to believe that they were dating. Whatever it was, that was a clerical error on my part.

[@davidstratton696]

I mean I can see y your happy lgbtq actors are getting roles but also does it matter if a lgbtq character is played by a lgbtq actor? They aren’t playing themselves and representation is representation. The thing that matters is it’s well written and well acted (neither of which the actor’s sexuality effects). A straight actor can play a non straight character just as well as a non straight actor (if not better like I said it all depends on how good of an actor they are). Look at Neil Patrick Harris. He played a womanizer in How I Met Your Mother and he’s gay irl and he did an amazing job cause he’s an amazing actor.

[@newyorkmyndd9801]

Loved this movie, and the Broadway show as well, Ari, Jo, Caitlin and Izzy are amazing people and advocates. Wishing future success for all and I’m glad the story of the Prom is getting out there. ❤️🎶

[@ElizabethNicoleSchwartz]

Thank you so much. I couldn't watch live. I appreciate you.

[@kathleenbolger7455]

Thank you!

[@rozyberger8928]

SO CUTE

[@rozyberger8928]

FRIENDS

[@moonlightraindrops1402]

😍😍😍

[@TheHeritage19]

From Indiana Gay's can live in Indiana

[@jp9707]

Note to self

[@irisnora5681]

I in Brazil!!!! Sorry i don't reed very good in english