Blake Lively's recent stint at a Connecticut donut shop has stirred up more than just batter. The 37-year-old actress surprised customers by working behind the counter at Rise Doughnuts in Wilton on March 30. Lively, known for her roles in Gossip Girl and A Simple Favor, referred to the bakery as her "happy place" on Instagram, sharing photos and videos of her baking experience. She expressed joy in "baking with genius food friends and their kitchen mixer the size of a car." Fans present during her visit noted Lively's cheerful demeanor. She interacted warmly with customers, even taking photos with some.
A source told PEOPLE: "She was in a really happy mood and said she is friends with the owner." However, the visit did not end without controversy. Some observers pointed out that Lively did not wear a hair net or tie back her long hair while handling food. This led to complaints to the Wilton Health Department. A department spokesperson confirmed they are investigating the matter to TMZ. The potential consequences for the shop, if any, remain unclear at this time.
The shop's Yelp page also faced backlash. It was temporarily disabled after being flooded with negative reviews related to Lively's appearance and the hair net issue. Yelp stated they are assessing whether the comments reflect genuine customer experiences or are reactions to recent events.
Fans took to Instagram to react to the moment. One user wrote: "Exactly! If she is serving food, then her hair needs to be pulled back." Another commented, "First thing I thought, 'eeewwwww donuts with hair,'" while a third added: "Literally my first thought! She shouldn't be allowed in the kitchen without her hair back at least!" Supporters of Lively argue that many complaints come from individuals with no direct connection to the shop.
A source close to Lively remarked: "The so-called complaints are from people who have never been there and who don’t even live in Connecticut. Targeting a lovely, small, family-owned business is a new low in the retaliation campaign." This incident adds to Lively's recent public scrutiny. She has been involved in a legal dispute with director Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign against her. Baldoni has countered with a $400 million defamation lawsuit.
Despite the legal challenges, Lively's passion for baking remains evident. She has previously shared her culinary creations on social media, highlighting her love for the craft. As the Wilton Health Department continues its investigation, the outcome remains uncertain. Whether this situation will have lasting effects on Rise Doughnuts or Lively's public image is yet to be seen.
Blake Lively might want to look over the food handler's license test because her free-flowing locks have put a Connecticut donut shop she helped out under a microscope. Earlier this week, Lively helped out a friend who owns a small donut shop in Wilton, CT, working a mixer, putting out the sweet treats for customers, and just generally doing down-to-earth, everyday kind of work.
Of course, some people online have a bone to pick with Lively, and they’re upset she didn't put on a hair net or a hat, or tie it back while working and serving up the treats. Complaints have been made to the Wilton Health Department, and a spokesperson confirmed they are investigating. It remains unclear what kind of sanctions, if any, the shop could face if the investigation finds them in the wrong.
Before the Yelp page was disabled, a few users did actually post about Blake's lack of a hair net, showing that it was something people really noticed. While some may genuinely be upset about hair nets, it’s safe to assume that others are just happy to hate on Blake because of her legal battle with Justin Baldoni.
A source close to Blake stated: "The so-called complaints are from people who have never been there and who don’t even live in Connecticut. Targeting a lovely, small, family-owned business is a new low in the retaliation campaign." This adds another layer to the ongoing narrative surrounding Lively, who has faced scrutiny in the past for various reasons.
Interestingly, Lively's recent public appearances have been overshadowed by her legal issues. She admitted to improvising a scene in A Simple Favor where she grabbed her co-star Henry Golding's balls, which led to some backlash as well. As the investigation by the Wilton Health Department unfolds, it will be interesting to see how this affects both the donut shop and Lively herself.
For now, the donut shop remains a point of contention, and the public's reaction continues to be mixed. Some people are defending Lively, while others are calling for accountability regarding health standards in food preparation. As the situation develops, both Lively and Rise Doughnuts will be watching closely to see how this unfolds.
In the world of celebrity, where every action is scrutinized, this incident serves as a reminder of the challenges public figures face when they step outside their usual roles. Whether it's baking donuts or acting on screen, the spotlight is always on, and for Lively, this moment has become a complicated mix of joy and controversy.
