Actress Blake Lively, long celebrated for her role in Gossip Girl and her high-profile marriage to Ryan Reynolds, has faced several controversies over the years that tested her image as “America’s sweetheart.”
One of the earliest incidents came in 2016, when she chose to star in Woody Allen’s Café Society at a time when the director faced longstanding allegations of misconduct.
Critics questioned her decision, pointing to a perceived conflict between her public support for women’s rights and her professional collaboration with Allen.
That same year, Lively was criticised for a caption she shared during the Cannes Film Festival. Posting a photo of herself, she wrote, “L.A. face with an Oakland booty,” quoting a line from Sir Mix-a-Lot’s Baby Got Back. Many described the remark as racially insensitive.
Her 2012 wedding to Ryan Reynolds also drew scrutiny. The couple married at Boone Hall Plantation in South Carolina, a site tied to slavery. Years later, both publicly apologised, calling it a mistake, but the choice has continued to resurface in discussions of celebrity accountability.
More recently, Lively faced backlash for her role in the 2024 film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us. Critics argued the film’s promotional material risked romanticising unhealthy relationships, sparking debates online about the portrayal of sensitive issues like domestic violence.
The controversy deepened when Lively and director Justin Baldoni became involved in legal disputes over harassment claims, with the case still unresolved.
Despite these challenges, Lively has remained a prominent figure in Hollywood, balancing her acting career with entrepreneurship and family life. While her public image has faced criticism, her continued success reflects both resilience and enduring popularity.
