The 3 Biggest Reasons People Are Mad At Blake Lively Right Now (The Shocking 'It Ends With Us' Drama Explained)

The seemingly perfect public image of Blake Lively, long celebrated as a fashion icon and half of a beloved Hollywood power couple with Ryan Reynolds, has recently fractured. The actress, known for her roles in *Gossip Girl* and *A Simple Favor*, is currently at the center of a swirling public backlash that has dominated social media and entertainment headlines, particularly following the August 2024 release of her latest film, *It Ends With Us*. This article breaks down the three primary reasons why a significant segment of the public is expressing anger and criticism toward the star, focusing on the most recent and explosive controversies.

The current criticism is not a single issue but a convergence of new legal drama, a perceived lack of sensitivity in marketing, and the resurfacing of past controversies, all of which have significantly shifted her public perception as of late 2024. The core of the issue lies in the production and promotion of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel, a story centered on domestic abuse and survival.

Blake Lively: A Brief Biography and Career Profile

Blake Lively, born Blake Ellender Brown on August 25, 1987, in Los Angeles, California, is an American actress who rose to prominence with her role as Serena van der Woodsen in the hit television series *Gossip Girl* (2007–2012). Her career began with a role in *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants* (2005) and has since included critically acclaimed performances in films like *The Town* (2010), *The Age of Adaline* (2015), and *A Simple Favor* (2018).

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• Full Name: Blake Ellender Brown (Professionally known as Blake Lively)
• Born: August 25, 1987 (Age 38 as of late 2024)
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Spouse: Ryan Reynolds (Married 2012)
• Key Filmography: *Gossip Girl*, *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants*, *Green Lantern*, *The Town*, *A Simple Favor*, *It Ends With Us*.
• Business Ventures: Founder of the non-alcoholic mixer company, Betty Buzz, and its alcoholic counterpart, Betty Booze.

1. The Explosive Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni

The single most significant source of current public outrage and media coverage is the ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and her *It Ends With Us* co-star and director, Justin Baldoni.

The Allegations and Counter-Allegations

In late 2024, following the film's premiere, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment that allegedly occurred during the production of the film. This accusation sent shockwaves through Hollywood, especially given the sensitive nature of the film, which deals with themes of domestic violence and abuse.

Baldoni, who plays the character Ryle Kincaid in the movie, vehemently denied Lively's claims. In a dramatic escalation, he filed a countersuit against both Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for libel, accusing them of attempting to "destroy" his reputation and orchestrating a "smear campaign." The legal drama has created a highly polarized environment, with fans and critics taking sides. The public is divided on who to believe, fueling intense scrutiny of both actors.

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The "Poisoning the Cast" Confession

Adding fuel to the fire, a resurfaced clip of Lively discussing a past project—unrelated to Baldoni—showed her admitting to "poisoning the whole cast" against a co-star she disliked, which critics have used to question her character and methods in handling workplace disputes. This has become a key piece of evidence cited by those who support Baldoni's claim of a targeted campaign against him, further complicating the already messy public narrative.

2. The "Tone-Deaf" Promotional Strategy and Brand Tie-ins

Separate from the legal drama, a major criticism leveled against Lively is the perceived "tone-deaf" nature of her promotional efforts for *It Ends With Us*. The film is based on Colleen Hoover's novel, which focuses on a woman's struggle with an abusive partner and the cycle of domestic violence. Many critics argued that the marketing trivialized the serious subject matter.

The Betty Buzz/Betty Booze Blunder

The most egregious example, according to critics, was the commercial integration of her personal beverage brands, Betty Buzz (non-alcoholic mixers) and Betty Booze (alcoholic beverages), into the film's press tour.

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• Commercialization of Abuse: Lively was criticized for using a film about domestic abuse to promote her products, turning a serious social issue into a "cash grab."
• The "Ryle You Wait" Cocktail: A specific drink recipe, reportedly named "Ryle You Wait" (a pun on the abusive character Ryle Kincaid), was associated with the promotion. This was viewed as highly insensitive, as it appeared to make light of a character who embodies the trauma of domestic violence.
• Misreading the Room: Social media users flooded her comments, suggesting that her commercial approach "misread the room" and showed a disconnect between her celebrity lifestyle and the gravity of the film's themes. Lively eventually appeared to respond to the backlash, but the damage to her public image was already significant.

The combination of a serious film about domestic abuse and a lighthearted, commercialized press tour sparked outrage, leading to accusations that Lively prioritized her entrepreneurial ventures over the film's core message of awareness and support for domestic violence survivors.

3. The Resurfacing of Past Controversies: The Plantation Wedding

Whenever a major celebrity faces a new controversy, older, unresolved issues tend to resurface and contribute to the current wave of anger. For Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, the 2012 controversy surrounding their wedding is a recurring point of criticism.

Boone Hall Plantation and Slavery

Lively and Reynolds married in 2012 at Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens in South Carolina. Critics have repeatedly argued that choosing a former plantation—a site where enslaved people were brutalized and which still preserves slave cabins—romanticizes or trivializes the horrors of slavery.

The issue has been brought up again amidst the *It Ends With Us* drama, with many pointing to the wedding as a historical example of the couple's alleged lack of awareness regarding serious social issues. Ryan Reynolds has since apologized for the choice, calling it "something we'll always be deeply and unreservedly sorry for." Despite their apology and subsequent efforts to donate to civil rights organizations, the "plantation wedding" remains a significant stain on their public record that is frequently weaponized during periods of backlash.

The Impact on Blake Lively's Public Perception

The recent events have led to a noticeable shift in Blake Lively's public perception. Once seen as a universally beloved "it girl," the current controversies have exposed a more complex public image. The ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, coupled with the criticism over the commercial promotion of *It Ends With Us* and the historical baggage of the Boone Hall Plantation wedding, has fueled a robust online debate about celebrity authenticity, corporate ethics, and accountability. The outcome of the lawsuit and Lively's future public statements will determine the long-term impact on her career and her standing in the public eye.