Blake Lively backlash explained - It Ends With Us drama to unearthed interviews
It Ends with Us star Blake Lively has been at the centre of apparent drama surrounding the film with her colleague Justin Baldoni, but it's led to further criticism of the former Gossip Girl star
Blake Lively has faced much criticism in recent weeks amid the ongoing scandal surrounding her new film It Ends with Us, which was released just a couple of weeks ago.
The actor, 36, stars as the lead character Lily Bloom in the film, which is based on Colleen Hoover's novel of the same name, published in 2016. Blake's also listed as a producer on the film, which explores themes such as domestic abuse.
She worked alongside the likes of co-star Justin Baldoni, 40, who stars as Ryle Kincaid. Justin also directed the project and he's the co-founder of Wayfarer Studios, which is one of the production companies behind It Ends With Us.
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There have been reports of a 'feud' between Blake and Justin, with them both having been criticised in differing accounts. Amid the apparent drama, Blake's been met with backlash over it, as well as for controversies from her past.
Film production
There's been rumours of tension between Blake and Justin amid the film's press tour. It's understood that they didn't pose for photos beside each other at the premiere and haven't done interviews together. It's also been noticed that Blake and some others connected to the film, including author Colleen, aren't following Justin on Instagram.
One source told PageSix that Justin created an "extremely difficult" atmosphere behind the scenes. They continued: "None of the cast enjoyed working with Justin." The source added: "They certainly didn't talk to him at the premiere."
Among the other claims about the production is that Blake felt "fat-shamed" by him. TMZ reports that ahead of a scene in which he had to lift her up, Justin, who's said to have a history of back problems, asked his on-set trainer how much she weighed and how could he train to protect himself from injury. Blake, who had given birth just months prior, is said to have later found out and felt "fat-shamed".
However, Blake's alleged behaviour during the production has also attracted attention, with it suggested that Justin felt "sidelined" by her. A source told Us Weekly : "There were two camps on the film - team Blake and team Justin. This creative struggle set the tone for the negative experience behind the scenes and grew into them not speaking anymore." And despite his leadership role, the source said that Justin felt "hurt and sidelined" as Blake allegedly made decisions about the script and wardrobe changes "often without consulting Justin or his team."
Another source however told the outlet that "any changes or input" by Blake was "to create the best film possible and honour the book." They said she "worked closely with Colleen and other female team members on set," saying that without Justin's input doesn't mean she went "behind his back."
Additionally, a source told the Daily Mail that "everyone was a little bit afraid" of Blake on set. They said she "wasn't mean" but was "just so effortlessly rude". The source said that she was "so extraordinarily opinionated" and "had really strong feelings about things" which caused tension on the set.
The source said: "I got this impression from Justin that he was just really, really stressed and fatigued about this constant inability to control the project he was making… so much so that when you'd ask him questions, he'd be like, 'Well just ask Blake'… because when Blake got there she would have a lot of really strong thoughts and feelings."
Although Blake has received support amid the rumours of tension between herself and Justin, some fans have instead sided with the latter. Blake herself has hinted at creative differences behind the scenes whilst discussing the inclusion of Lana Del Rey 's song Cherry. She told Hits Radio UK that she was "begged" to take it out of the film, but didn't reveal who made the unfulfilled request.
Justin fuelled the rumours with his response to being asked if he would be interested in directing the sequel It Starts With Us. He told Entertainment Tonight : "I think there are better people for that one. I think Blake Lively's ready to direct. That's what I think."
The speculation that Blake's creative vision overshadowed others on set was fuelled by the actor herself, who revealed that her husband Ryan Reynolds, 47, rewrote a scene in the film. Screenwriter Christy Hall told People that she was unaware and thought changes to the script were simply improvisations. Amid speculation that the couple sidelined Justin, a source told the Daily Mail that Ryan "jumped in to help the film from disaster" and that Justin "took it personally".
Brand promotion
Blake has also faced criticism over the promotion of her various brands alongside the film's press tour. The New York Times has even suggested that It Ends With Us has acted as a "brand-building exercise" for the entrepreneur.
She launched her new haircare brand Blake Brown just days before the new film was released. A source has claimed to Entertainment Weekly that the launch was never meant to coincide with the premiere though, allegeding that it was instead due to delays with the film's release this year.
The actor has also promoted her drinks brands Betty Buzz and Betty Booze in connection with the film, with them having hosted a "post-premiere" florist themed party, in reference to her character's career in the film, recently. It included cocktails named after some of the characters.
The promotion of her brands alongside the press tour has prompted criticism, with Blake labelled "tone deaf". Among the comments in response to a post on Instagram about the drinks brands' party, one fan said: "Definitely tone deaf. The promotion of this film is a complete slap in the face to every woman who has endured domestic violence."
Sharing their thoughts, another person said: "I am absolutely disgusted by the cutesy way this film is being promoted." A third questioned: "Who is allowing her to use her alcohol brand to promote a movie about domestic violence?"
She's similarly faced criticism for what fans have perceived as a lack of discussion about domestic abuse whilst promoting the film, as opposed to Justin who has been praised for speaking about the topic on several occasions. Amid the backlash, Blake posted resources related to domestic abuse on Instagram recently and as reported by Us Weekly told fans that the cast has been "in celebration of this film and of getting a message so important out there to the masses".
Fan encounter
Blake has attracted attention over an encounter with a fan at a premiere for the film. Footage of the interaction, which was shared on TikTok, shows her being presented with a pink friendship bracelet by the fan whilst on the red carpet.
She reacted: "My gosh, thank you so much! That's so sweet." Blake however then shared she wouldn't be putting it on yet, with the actor heard telling the fan: "I'm gonna put it here because it doesn't go with my outfit but I will wear it later."
Her co-star Isabela Ferrer - who plays the younger version of her Blake's character Lily in the film - also received a bracelet from the fan. She however immediately put the piece of jewellery around his wrist as she thanked the fan.
"Wow. The difference speaks volumes," one viewer reacted to the video. Another said: "Ok diva." A number of people suggested that the bracelet did go with Blake's outfit, with one fan saying: "It literally did go with her outfit. Mean girl."
'Rude' interviews
Interviews of Blake from earlier in her career have resurfaced, which have prompted a backlash, amid the scandal. The first saw Blake and Parker Posey promoting the film Café Society in a chat with journalist Kjersti Flaa in 2016.
Kjersti shared the footage on YouTube earlier this month, naming her post: "The [Blake] interview that made me want to quit my job." She wrote in the description: "The most uncomfortable interview situation I have ever experienced. Is it not ok to congratulate someone on their pregnancy or to ask another woman about costumes she is wearing in a film?"
The interview opened with Kjersti congratulating Blake on her pregnancy, with the actor having been expecting daughter Inez, now seven, at the time. She said to Blake, who is understood to have confirmed her pregnancy prior to the interview: "First of all, congrats on your little bump." Blake responded by saying to Kjersti: "Congrats on your little bump."
Kjersti has since told the Daily Mail that Blake's comment "hurt" her. She told the outlet recently: "[Her comment] left me almost paralyzed. To be honest it hurts because I obviously wasn't pregnant and I could never get pregnant so to me that comment was like a bullet."
During the interview, Blake also questioned Kjersti's decision to ask about the fashion worn by the two actors in the film. She reacted to that: "Everyone wants to talk about the clothes, but I wonder if they would ask the men about the clothes?" Kjersti then responded by saying that she would.
The resurfaced footage has prompted a backlash against Blake, with one person reacting to it: "Extremely rude." Another viewer said: "Imagine trying to make a pseudo feminist statement while working for Woody Allen and bullying and bodyshaming someone simply doing their job."
"The interviewer wasnt pregnant. Her saying congratulations back was a slap in the face when she was only congratulating her pregnancy. Gross," a third said. Someone else added: "Such micro aggression, passive aggressive, mean girl tactics/behavior."
Blake has been defended as well, with a source telling People magazine : "You can't come up with anything better to kick off the interview with than 'Congrats on your little bump?' Of course Blake got annoyed. [...] If you feel the need to acknowledge that she's pregnant, at least do it respectfully."
Another interview, from when Blake was promoting the film All I See Is You in 2017, has since resurfaced and fuelled the backlash against her. It saw her being interviewed by DP/30 and she's once again been branded "rude" over it.
Looking ahead to the future of her career, the interviewer asked at one point: "Do you feel free now to try everything?" Seemingly referencing an earlier section of the interview when Blake had said she "can't sing or dance," he added: "I mean, apparently, you're not gonna sing if you didn't think you could sing."
Blake reminded that she sang in the film, asking the interviewer if he saw All I See Is You before speaking to her. After he assured the actor that he had seen the film, Blake looked to someone offscreen and teased: "We're gonna give you a pop quiz at the end (of this interview)."
Plantation wedding
Amid the scandal surrounding the film, controversy from earlier in her career has garnered renewed attention. Blake and her husband Ryan were notably criticised for having got married at former slave plantation Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, in 2012.
As previously reported, Ryan has since addressed the backlash they received, telling Fast Company in 2020: "What we saw at the time was a wedding venue on Pinterest. What we saw after was a place built upon devastating tragedy. It's something we'll always be deeply and unreservedly sorry for."
Blake - who was also criticised at the time for her lifestyle website Preserve which, according to NBC News, "celebrated" the Antebellum South, a period that included slavery - appeared to allude to the controversy in a post on Instagram that same year, amid news that the couple made a $200,000 (€180,000) donation to NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. She wrote: "We're ashamed that in the past, we've allowed ourselves to be uninformed about how deeply rooted systemic racism is."
The controversy has attracted renewed attention lately, with someone writing on Reddit : "Can we talk about this more too." In response, one person said: "Very out of touch and ignorant." Another wrote: "Cancel Blake and Ryan, both are overrated annoying ppl. Full of themselves."
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk
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