Blake Lively has found herself at the heart of controversy amid the promotional tour for her new film, It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel. The criticism focuses on her perceived approach to discussing domestic violence, which many find to be insensitive.
Lively, co-starring and co-producing the film, portrays Lily Bloom, who navigates the rough waters of domestic abuse. The mixed responses followed her promotional strategy, which sometimes included light-hearted content unrelated to the film's serious themes.
One Instagram post featuring Lively alongside her co-stars was met with backlash, with one comment stating, “I’m very confused. You missed the entire purpose of the movie,” reflecting discontent among viewers.
Tony Vinciquerra, chair-CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, defended Lively’s commitment, claiming it brings important conversations about domestic violence to light. He expressed admiration for her passion and willingness to tackle such challenging topics, stating, "Blake’s passion and commitment to advancing the conversation around domestic violence is commendable."
Despite the supportive statements from Sony, many continue to question Lively's approach. They argue her promotional content sometimes seems disconnected from the film's serious message, leading to perceptions of being tone-deaf.
Lively acknowledged this disconnect when discussing the film during various interviews. “What’s been beautiful about this movie is… we all know at least [one person] who has experienced this,” she noted, attempting to connect the film's themes to personal experiences.
On social media and red carpets, Lively has actively sought to share messages around domestic violence awareness. She even took the time to post resources for survivors on her Instagram, mentioning the staggering statistic from the CDC stating, "one in four adult women have experienced physical violence by their intimate partner."
During her tour, Lively emphasized the importance of dialogue surrounding these issues. She noted, "Everyone deserves relationships free from domestic violence," underscoring the film’s underlying messages of hope and resilience.
Critiques of her promotional methods have sparked discussions about the responsibility of actors promoting films with heavy themes. Some fans believe the light-hearted segments lessen the gravity of the message they are trying to convey.
The opening weekend for It Ends With Us was quite successful, bringing in $50 million at the box office. While critics on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes gave the film only 57%, audience ratings soared to 93%, indicating strong viewer appreciation.
Despite the multifaceted responses, many within the industry praise Lively for her dedication to this film. Vinciquerra added his hope for more collaborations with her, highlighting the need for these important conversations about domestic violence.
Interestingly, rumors surfaced about tensions between Lively and her co-star/director Justin Baldoni. Reports indicated some friction, with Baldoni being largely absent from key promotional events.
At the New York City premiere, Baldoni didn't engage with the rest of the cast on the red carpet, sparking questions about the dynamics behind the scenes. The actress’s team reportedly does not follow him back on social media, fueling speculation about their working relationship.
Allegations of creative differences have emerged, with claims of two different cuts of the film existing. "All is not what it seems," said one source, indicating underlying issues might have affected the film’s promotional strategy.
Publicly speaking about the movie, Lively has been active on social platforms to express gratitude toward fans. She thanked them for supporting the film’s important messages and sharing resources for those struggling with similar issues.
With the mixed reactions and internal conflicts surfacing from the project, Lively and the cast have remained focused on their goal - to shed light on domestic abuse. They continue to recommend resources and support systems for those affected.
On her Instagram Stories, Lively shared clips discussing the film’s themes and expressed hope for its potential impact on viewers. Recognizing various perspectives, she elegantly stated, “it’s been beautiful to see people recognize these experiences.”
Despite the obstacles, Lively remains determined to promote awareness about domestic violence through her platform and the film. She emphasizes the message is larger than just the film itself and aims to create conversations around it.
Overall, the backlash paints a complex picture of Lively’s promotional strategy. While she has opened discussions around heavy topics, the method of delivery prompts serious discussions on the role of celebrities in portraying sensitive themes.
