Blake Lively never anticipated the whirlwind of criticism she would face following the release of her latest movie, It Ends With Us, which soared to become a box-office hit. As the star and producer of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling romance novel, Lively found herself at the center of unexpected controversy during the film’s press tour.
A source close to the actress revealed, “She initially felt very vulnerable and upset,” adding that Lively was “pretty surprised at the backlash and drama” that followed the film’s success. According to the source, the 37-year-old star wasn’t prepared for the wave of negativity. “During the promotion of the movie, not one day went by when she was not in the news in an unfavourable light. She’s just not used to this kind of drama.”
The intense scrutiny took a toll on Lively, who, according to the insider, felt the situation was spiraling out of control. Despite the turbulence, the source noted that Lively remains committed to her work, saying, “She enjoys working and will continue to push forward projects that she’s excited about.”
However, the backlash wasn’t solely due to her remarks. Reports suggest that tension between Lively and her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, contributed to the drama surrounding the film. Sources claim the two clashed over creative decisions, leading to a noticeable rift. Baldoni, despite playing the male lead, did not appear alongside Lively or other cast members during the film’s premiere, which only fueled rumors of conflict.
In addition to the alleged feud, Lively faced criticism for her handling of the film’s sensitive subject matter—domestic abuse. Fans and critics alike called her out for promoting her personal business ventures during the press tour and for comments that appeared to trivialize the movie’s theme. Adding to the backlash, Baldoni’s heartfelt statement in support of domestic abuse survivors further painted Lively in a negative light by comparison.
As of now, Blake Lively has remained silent on the controversy, choosing not to publicly address the criticism she’s received. Yet, despite the drama, her focus on future projects remains steadfast, suggesting this is only a bump in her otherwise successful career.