Blake Lively is facing backlash for allegedly glamorizing domestic violence in the marketing campaign for her latest film, It Ends With Us.
The controversy has sparked heated debates online, with many accusing the actress of downplaying the film’s serious themes.
Blake Lively Is Promoting ‘It Ends With Us’ As a Rom-Com?
In It Ends With Us, which is based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, Lively plays a florist shop owner who marries a charismatic neurosurgeon, only to discover he is an abuser.
Despite the dark subject matter, Lively’s promotional efforts, which include bubbly morning show appearances and glamorous red-carpet events, have drawn criticism for being out of touch with the film’s serious themes.
The film has been a commercial success, raking in $50 million during its opening weekend. However, some feel that the success has come at the cost of misrepresenting the film’s message.
Lively has been accused of airbrushing the reality of domestic violence and disrespecting survivors by allegedly glamorizing abuse through her promotional efforts.
A major ick. Finally seeing who Blake Lively is an individual and it’s ugly. She might as well have said not to go up to her or talk to her. Brandon looks so uncomfortable. pic.twitter.com/xmGP2SrMVk
— sally (@pinkchampagna) August 13, 2024
In response to the growing criticism, Lively “addressed “the issue on Instagram, sharing the National Domestic Violence Hotline number.
The ‘Gossip Girl’ actress had emphasized before that the movie is about more than just domestic abuse, calling it “a story of the female experience” and “the multitudes we hold.”
The internet isn’t happy with how Blake Lively has been conducting herself in “It Ends With Us” PR, comparing her interviews to Justin Baldoni’s.
After seeing interviews side-by-side, what do you think? pic.twitter.com/CsCoQ3MI1b
— Evie Magazine (@Evie_Magazine) August 13, 2024
Lively’s co-star and movie director, Justin Baldoni, has spoken out, acknowledging the importance of raising awareness about domestic violence and honoring survivors. Which leads to another controversy.
The Beef Between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
Apparently, the two protagonists didn’t have the best of experiences working together and, although nothing has been confirmed, everything seems to indicate that there could be some serious disagreements between them.
“I feel like Baldoni is the only one who understands what this movie is about and is sincere. There’s definitely a cognitive dissonance here“ wrote a instagram user in Lively’s post.
Rumors about a possible fight between the actors began when, on the tours to promote the film, the director showed no interest in posing with the other actors and crew members.
Also, during an interview, Lively revealed that her husband, Ryan Reynolds had in fact had a hand in the project, and not with something insignificant, because according to what she said, Ryan would have changed an entire scene.
Blake and Ryan Reynold’s Dark Past
This is not the first time Lively has faced public criticism. People have brought up her 2012 wedding to Ryan Reynolds, which took place at Boone Hall, a former plantation with a history of slavery.
The couple has since expressed deep regret for their decision to get married at such a venue.
Read also: Simone Biles’ Biological Mother Begs for Forgiveness After Abandoned Her Due to Drug Addiction
In a 2020 interview with Fast Company, Reynolds said, “It’s something we’ll always be deeply and unreservedly sorry for… What we saw at the time was a wedding venue on Pinterest. What we saw after was a place built upon devastating tragedy.”
Despite their public apology, the incident continues to resurface, serving as a reminder of the ongoing scrutiny celebrities face over their past actions and changing our “perfect couple” idea of them.
