Blake Lively is a prominent figure in the entertainment world, who is garnering wide attention for her starring role in It Ends with Us. Based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel of the same name, the movie also delves into themes of love, domestic violence, and the difficult choices that affect a person’s life.
While her leading role as Lily Bloom is garnering praise among audiences and critics alike, she is lately facing backlash, particularly for how she has promoted the movie recently. Amid the same, her Instagram story about domestic violence has sparked intense criticism from fans.
Blake Lively Garners Headlines for Her Treatment of It Ends With Us
Blake Lively‘s newly released romantic drama project delves much more into the beautiful aspect of love. It Ends With Us revolves around her character Lily Bloom, who finds herself in a complex love triangle between her new love interest, Ryle Kincaid, and her first love, Atlas Corrigan.
The movie is narrated in two timelines – past and current. She meets her first love in her past timeline while going through a tragic childhood. He reemerges in her current timeline when she finds herself yet again in an unexpected situation.
While the novel-turned-screen drama reflects on the issue of domestic violence, publicity for the movie hints at a different theme. In particular, the former press tour has focused too much on aesthetics and glamour rather than the gravity of the subject matter.
Recently, she shared two Instagram stories, which subtly hit back at the claims of her promotions for the movie. She reshared a clip of hers of an interview with BBC News, in which she reflected on her character, stating,
She is not just a survivor, and she’s not just a victim, and while those are huge things to be, they are not her identity…She defines herself, and I think that’s deeply empowering. … No one else can define you. No experience can define you. You define you.
In the subsequent slide, she posted an awareness story highlighting the issue of domestic violence, along with a hotline link and access to immediate help. However, the timing of the post led many to view it as an attempt at damage control.
Blake Lively Garners Backlash from Fans
The drama surrounding the movie began when fans noticed a stark contrast between how leading stars were promoting their project.
While director-actor Justin Baldoni approached the movie’s themes with a more serious tone, often discussing adapting a story around domestic violence. However, fans noticed that Lively focused more on her floral looks and promoting her brands.
Even her recent Instagram story only added fuel to the fire, as fans found it more as a damage control rather than a genuine effort to raise awareness.
Adding to this, Instagram user @tiffanie.vu expressed her frustration by saying, “Sis an Instagram story after all that’s come out is not going to fix your image,” which resonated with many, as the comment garnered over 6,000 likes.
Other users also chimed in to share similar thoughts with another stating, “This was my first thought. Too little too late. The stories were honestly weird to see from her now. That should’ve been the energy the day it was released.”
Not just on Instagram, fans on X also commented on the same, accusing the actress of using a sensitive topic to deflect criticism amid the movie’s drama. Check out the tweets here.
The backlash has raised concerns about the actress’ handling of the subject matter. However, her fans have been coming to her defense, reflecting that she has also been addressing the serious theme in her promotions all along. As for how’s the movie performing, it has surged past $93.4 million at the global box office, per the Numbers.
It Ends With Us is running in theatres.
