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Blake Lively, known for her roles in hit films and TV shows likeGossip Girl, recently found herself at the center of a growingcontroversy.
Lively’s latest project, the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’sIt Ends With Us, has sparked intense controversy.
What started as excitement for her portrayal of a complex character has spiraled into a public relations nightmare, withallegationsranging from on-set tensions to insensitive promotional strategies.
Fans and critics alike are questioning Lively’s actions and her commitment to the film’s serious themes of domestic violence.
If you’ve been out of the loop, here’s everything you need to know about why Blake Lively is under fire.
The Start of the Controversy:It Ends With Usand Casting Choices
The controversy began to take shape when Blake Lively was cast in the film adaptation ofIt Ends With Us, a best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover that deals with sensitive themes of domestic abuse.
Fans of the book had highexpectations, hoping the film would handle these topics with care and respect.
However, early concerns were raised about whether Lively was the right choice for the lead role of Lily Bloom, a character who is a survivor of domestic violence.
Some fans felt that Lively’s previous roles didn’t demonstrate the emotional depth required for such a heavy subject matter.
Rumors of On-Set Tensions
As filming progressed, rumors began to circulate abouttensionson set, particularly between Lively and her co-star, Justin Baldoni, who also served as the film’s director.
Speculation about their strainedrelationshipwas fueled by the lack of joint public appearances and interaction on social media. Fans and tabloids picked up on the story, with whispers of a fallout between the two stars.
The speculation intensified when a report byTMZsuggested that Lively felt“fat-shamed”by Baldoni during the filming of a scene that required him to lift her off the ground.
This alleged incident contributed to the growing narrative of tension between the actors and hinted at deeper issues behind the scenes.
Allegations of Manipulative Behavior
As the release ofIt Ends With Usapproached, the drama took a more serious turn.Reportssurfaced accusing Lively of being manipulative and difficult on set.
Sources claimed that she had issues with the portrayal of certain scenes, particularly those involving domestic abuse, and that her behavior made working conditions uncomfortable for her co-stars and the crew.
These allegations painted Lively as someone more concerned with her image than with the sensitive message the film sought to convey.
The rumors gained traction as more sources came forward with similar stories, casting a shadow over the production and raising questions about Lively’s professionalism.
Critics argued that suchbehaviorwas at odds with the serious themes of the movie and could potentially undermine its message.
The Promotional Missteps
Blake Lively’s promotional activities forIt Ends With Usadded fuel to the fire.
During an interview, a reporter asked Lively how fans who connect with the film’s themes could approach her for a personal conversation. Lively’sresponse,“Ask for my address or my phone number,”was seen as sarcastic and dismissive.
The lighthearted tone clashed with the film’s serious subject matter, sparking criticism and leading many to question her commitment to raising awareness about domestic violence.
Adding to the criticism, Lively hosted an interview with her co-stars and the film’s author, Colleen Hoover.
However, instead of focusing on the film’s central themes of domestic abuse, the discussion veered towards lighthearted topics like dream jobs and zodiac signs.
This casual approach further alienated fans who felt that the promotional campaign was not treating the film’s serious content with the respect it deserved.
The Backlash Over Alcohol Promotion
One of the most controversial aspects of Lively’s involvement with the promotion ofIt Ends With Uswas her decision to use her alcohol brand, Betty Booze, to promote the film.
After the film’s premiere, Lively’s company provided drinks for the afterparty. She even shared a promotional video on Instagram showcasing a themed cocktail menu inspired by characters from the movie.
Fans and critics alike found this promotion in poor taste. Given the well-documented link between alcohol consumption and domestic violence, many felt that associating an alcohol brand with a film about domestic abuse was highly inappropriate.
Social media erupted with criticism, highlighting the insensitivity of promoting alcohol in conjunction with a movie addressing such a serious issue.
The disconnect between the film’s message and the promotional strategy was glaring, leading to widespread condemnation.
Resurfaced Past Controversies
The current drama also brought past controversies involving Blake Lively back into the spotlight.
An oldinterviewfrom 2016 resurfaced, in which Lively made an insensitive remark about a reporter’s “bump,” mistakenly assuming she was pregnant.
The reporter, who was unable to conceive children, found the comment deeply hurtful. This revelation added another layer to the growing discontent around Lively, painting her as someone prone to making offhand, insensitive comments.
Additionally, past interviews where Lively used offensive language to refer to transgender people were also unearthed, further tarnishing her image. These incidents combined to create a narrative that questioned Lively’s sensitivity and awareness when addressing delicate issues.
The Fallout and Blake Lively’s Response
In response to the mounting criticism, Lively took to Instagram to share information about domestic violence resources.
Lively appeared to respond to criticism on her Instagram story on Aug. 13. She shared a video of a BBC interview she had done, overlaidwith text that said:
“Thank you to everyone who came out to show that people WANT to see films about women, and the multitudes we hold. It Ends With Us is a story of the female experience. All the highest highs, and lowest lows. And we are so proud of it. We have been in celebration of this film and of getting a message so important out there to the masses.”
A second post to her story linked her followers to domestic violence resources with the message:
“1 in 4 women aged 18 and older in the US alone have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Intimate partner violence affects all genders, including more than 12 million people every year in the United States.”
However, for many, this gesture came too late. The damage was already done, and the public was skeptical of her motives, viewing the posts as an attempt at damage control rather than a genuine effort to raise awareness.
Lively’s reputation has undoubtedly taken a hit due to the controversy.
Fans are frustrated at how Blake handle the promotion.
According to sources close to the actress, she is reportedly feeling the weight of the backlash and is concerned about the potential long-term impact on her career.
The situation has made her reconsider her public image and the types of roles she chooses moving forward.
Celebrating Birthday Amid All the Drama
Blake Livelycelebratedher 37th birthday in style at Taylor Swift’s Rhode Island mansion.
The star-studded event was attended by Lively’s husband,Ryan Reynolds, their four children, and a host of celebrity friends.
Despite recent controversies surrounding her role in the film “It Ends With Us,” Lively seemed to enjoy a much-needed break surrounded by loved ones.
Photos from the celebration showed the group relaxing by the pool, enjoying delicious food, and celebrating Lively’s special day.
Key Events in the Blake LivelyIt Ends With UsControversy
Date
Event
Details
Early 2023
Blake Lively cast inIt Ends With Us
Lively announced as the lead actress in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, sparking initial skepticism about her suitability for the role.
Mid 2023
Rumors of on-set tensions
Reports emerge of a strained relationship between Lively and co-star/director Justin Baldoni, including claims of a “fat-shaming” incident.
Late 2023
Allegations of manipulative behavior
Sources allege Lively was difficult on set, particularly about scenes involving domestic abuse, raising concerns about her professionalism.
Early 2024
Promotional missteps
Lively’s dismissive remarks in interviews and lighthearted discussions during promotional events draw criticism for ignoring the film’s serious themes.
Early 2024
Alcohol brand controversy
Lively’s use of her alcohol brand, Betty Booze, to promote the film is criticized, especially at an afterparty with themed cocktails linked to the movie.
Mid 2024
Past controversies resurface
Old interviews and remarks, including an insensitive comment about pregnancy and derogatory language about transgender people, are brought to light.
Mid to Late 2024
Public backlash and Lively’s response
Lively faces significant backlash on social media and shares domestic violence resources on Instagram, perceived as too little, too late by many.
overview of the key events
What’s Next for Blake Lively?
As the controversy continues to unfold, the future remains uncertain for Blake Lively. Some industry insiders speculate that she may take a step back from the limelight to reassess her career and personal choices.
Whether she will be able to bounce back from this controversy depends largely on how she addresses the situation and whether she can demonstrate genuine understanding and empathy towards the issues her film highlights.
TheIt Ends With Usdrama serves as a potent reminder of the challenges that come with handling sensitive topics in both film and promotion.
For Lively, this controversy could be a turning point, prompting her to take a more thoughtful approach in her future projects and public interactions.
As fans and critics watch closely, only time will tell how Blake Lively navigates the fallout and what this means for her career moving forward.
Last Updated: August 26, 2024
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