Blake Lively Faces Unexpected Backlash But Pushes Forward With “It Ends With Us”
Blake Lively was caught off guard by the whirlwind of negative attention surrounding her latest hit, It Ends With Us. The romantic drama, based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, became her highest-grossing box-office film, raking in over $300 million worldwide. But despite this success, she found herself in the center of a media storm.
According to sources, Blake was “pretty surprised at the backlash and drama” surrounding the movie’s release. The criticism was relentless, with the actress finding herself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. “She initially felt very vulnerable and upset,” shared one insider.
“During the promotion of the movie, not one day went by when she was not in the news in an unfavorable light. She’s just not used to this kind of drama,” the source added.
So, what caused this uproar? Well, for starters, tensions between Blake and her co-star, Justin Baldoni, made headlines when the pair failed to pose together at the red-carpet premiere. Fans and critics noticed their absence from joint interviews as well, fueling rumors of tension on set. This firestorm only added fuel to the backlash online, where some accused the movie’s marketing of being misleading, given the film’s serious themes of domestic violence and trauma.
The controversy didn’t stop there. A few old and new interviews of Blake went viral on social media, sparking further criticisms. But true to her character, the 37-year-old is pressing forward.
The actress, who will next appear in A Simple Favor 2 alongside Anna Kendrick, remains dedicated to her craft. She’s not just starring in these projects but also producing them, as was the case with It Ends With Us.
This isn’t the first time Blake has faced professional challenges, and it likely won’t be the last. She’s been open about her deep passion for this film, hoping it will empower women and shed light on important issues. “It Ends With Us is a story of the female experience. Al the highest highs and lowest lows. And we are so proud of it,” she shared on Instagram after the film’s opening weekend.
“We have been in celebration of this film and of getting a message so important out there to the masses. Thank you all for embracing It Ends With Us with the same love, pain and joy we had sharing it with you all,” she added.
Blake’s co-star, Brandon Sklenar, also stepped up to defend her and the women behind the film. He took to Instagram, addressing the negativity: “Vilifying the women who poured their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about. It is, in fact, the opposite of the point.”
While It Ends With Us was a box-office hit, the chance of a sequel is still uncertain. Colleen Hoover’s follow-up novel, It Starts With Us, could make it to the big screen, as Justin owns the rights. Interestingly, he has even suggested that Blake might take on the director’s chair if the sequel happens.
