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Amid the drama surrounding actor Blake Lively’s new film, It Ends With Us, a journalist has published a “nightmarish” interview with the actress.
On social media, fans have criticised Lively’s “insensitive” publicity response, considering the film is an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s book about domestic violence and abuse.
Some have criticized the Gossip Girl star for promoting It Ends With Us in a very light-hearted way, touting a new hair care product in the process. The ad’s tie-ins have also raised eyebrows, including a themed cocktail called “Ryle You Wait,” named after the abusive character.
As the criticism surrounding the 36-year-old Lively continued, Norwegian journalist Kersti Fraa posted a clip of an interview she gave to Lively in 2016 in which she said she felt like “wanting to quit her job”.
The interview took place to promote Lively’s film Café Society, directed by Woody Allen, with Lively also in attendance alongside her co-star Parker Posey.
Prior to the interview, the then 28-year-old actress had just announced that she was pregnant with her second child with husband Ryan Reynolds.
Flair began the interview by congratulating Livly on her “little belly,” to which Livly sarcastically replied, “Congrats on your little belly.”
Posey appeared to try to ease the tension by showing off her butt “bulge,” but then Lively continued to talk about Posey’s “nice lady bulge” while Fuller waited for the interview to begin.
Speaking about the film, a reporter called it “visually stunning” and asked if Lively and Posey enjoyed the fashion that played such a large role in a film set in the 1930s.
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Lively then ignored Fuller and instead turned to Posey and said, “Everybody wants to talk about clothes, but I doubt they ask men about clothes.”
Fuller claimed she “should” have asked the male actors the same question, but Lively ignored her and continued talking with Posey about the best outfits men had worn in movies.
She concluded: “It’s not just women who are wearing clothes. They feel like they’re part of the conversation.”
Fuller shared the video on YouTube, captioning it “The Blake Lively interview that will make you want to quit your job.”
In the video’s description, she wrote, “Speaking with Blake Lively and her co-star Parker Posey in Café Society (2016) was the most awkward interview situation I’ve ever been in.”
“Is it wrong to congratulate someone on their pregnancy or question other women about the outfits they wear in movies?” she said. “Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.”
People have largely agreed with Flair, commenting on the actor’s rudeness and “bullying” behavior in the video, which has been viewed more than 723,000 times.
“So I always say that women don’t necessarily bully physically, but psychological bullying can be just as painful. Mean girls sometimes never grow up,” one person said.
Another added: “Blake knows how to make passive-aggressive seem polite and cultured.”
“Reminded me of the bullying I experienced in high school – a weird type of bullying where you’re constantly being insulted and ignored. It’s great that the interviewer kept his cool,” a third said.
Another wrote: “Good thing the interviewer didn’t get caught up in their rudeness.”
Many also claimed that Lively “body-shamed” herself in the interview when she commented on her “little belly,” accusing the actress of trying to “shame” the interviewer.
The Independent has contacted Lively’s representatives for comment.
The actress recently appeared to respond to criticism over her behavior on the press tour for It Ends With Us with an Instagram post calling attention to domestic violence.
The series airs amid rumors of an ongoing feud between Lively and Justin Baldoni, who not only plays her husband in the film but also directs it.
Deadline reports that Baldoni has hired Melissa Nathan, a PR veteran who previously worked for Johnny Depp as crisis manager.
Social media has been flooded with criticism of Livly’s comments, with many accusing her of misreading the situation and her upbeat attitude, given the serious issues the film deals with.
In a promotional video, Lively urges cinema-goers to “wear floral clothes,” following last year’s Barbie “wear pink” trend.
Others believe the ‘Adaline’ star has been criticised too harshly, and say they simply view her character in a different light to Baldoni, who has been noticeably more forthright with the press.
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Baldoni was congratulated by the interviewer, who said, “Tonight is your night!”, to which the actor replied solemnly, “No, tonight is not my night. This is a night for all the women who we made this movie with.”
It Ends With Us is in cinemas now.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or visit the Refuge website. The men’s helpline is 0808 8010 327. If you’re in the US, call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
For additional international helplines, visit www.befrienders.org.
