Blake Lively’s Distasteful Behavior Disappoints Lifelong Fans

Playing the main character of flower shop owner Lily Bloom, Blake Lively is the face of the movie and has been the most present of the cast in promotional materials and interview circuits for the film. However, fans of the book, who already knew what dark themes the novel included, quickly noticed inconsistencies between how the film was being marketed and what the film was actually about.

The most glaring example, quickly pointed out by audiences, was an Instagram promotional video featuring Blake Lively and author Colleen Hoover sitting on a couch. With a light-hearted smile and upbeat tone, the actress encourages viewers to “grab your friends, wear your florals, and head out to see it.” Many believed this behavior to be inappropriate, commenting that this energy was more aligned with the premiere of a rom-com, not a film about domestic violence.

The story of It Ends With Us follows the problematic relationship between 23-year-old college graduate Lily Bloom and 30-year-old neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, played by Justin Baldoni. While at first, their partnership seems sweet and romantic, Ryle’s character quickly turns on Lily, whose own childhood was spent watching her father abuse her mother. After experiencing the same kind of abuse she witnessed as a child, Lily finds out she is pregnant and leaves Ryle for good to spare her daughter the same fate, telling her, “It ends with us.”

Despite the trauma and heaviness woven within the story, general audiences who were unfamiliar with Hoover’s novel were sold a different picture by Blake Lively. The nature of the trailers and various promotions seemed to overlook the message of the movie, leaving many to believe that It Ends With Us would be a fun and lighthearted romance. Unfortunately, Blake Lively’s behavior toward the film throughout interviews and various promotional activities only doubled down on that misinformed notion.

The fire was further fanned when audiences learned about a post-premiere party that Blake Lively hosted. The party, an official It Ends With Us event, was held in partnership with Blake Lively’s alcoholic drinks company, Betty Booze, whose branding was heavily featured throughout the event space. Not only did fans find it distasteful that she promoted her own brand more than the themes of the movie, but the party featured It Ends With Us themed cocktails.

One of these cocktails was called “Ryle You Wait,” a cocktail named after the abusive character of Ryle Kincaid, from whom Lily Bloom spends the latter half of the film trying to escape.

The behavior did not end with these events; there are multiple other interviews where Blake Lively missed the mark or was simply rude. As was the case with journalist Kjersti Flaa, who was completely ignored by Blake Lively and her co-star Parker Posey throughout the interview after congratulating Lively on her recently announced pregnancy. Flaa still went forward with uploading the uncomfortable footage and titled it “The Blake Lively Interview That Made Me Want to Quit My Job.”

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, in the United States, more than 12 million men and women are made victims of some form of domestic violence in a single year. Blake Lively had the opportunity to bring these victims’ experiences to life and to promote resources for those still stuck in these situations; however, it’s safe to say that was not on her priority list.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call 1-800-799-SAFE or text “START” to 88788, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline will help you create a safety plan. For those unable to use their phone to look at these resources, an online chat service is available on their website.