The recent backlash against Blake Lively, particularly surrounding the movie It Ends With Us, raises troubling questions about our treatment of women in the public eye. In the summer of 2024, Lively found herself vilified on social media, with critics accusing her of being “annoying,” “tone-deaf,” and “too much.” The actor, known for her roles in Gossip Girl and various films, was criticized for her promotional efforts related to the film, which deals with themes of abuse and trauma. Lively’s upbeat approach to promoting the movie, along with her launch of a haircare brand and other business ventures at the same time, sparked further backlash.
At the heart of the criticism was the perceived mismatch between the film’s serious subject matter and Lively’s commercial activities, which some saw as inappropriate given the gravity of the story. Fans began digging into Lively’s past interviews and online presence, pointing out moments they deemed unflattering. A particularly awkward interview from 2016 resurfaced, where Lively appeared dismissive and overly self-assured, fueling the fire of public discontent. This wave of criticism quickly grew into a wider social media frenzy, with Lively being labeled as out of touch and self-serving.
However, the situation took a darker turn when it was revealed that Lively had filed a lawsuit against the film’s director, Justin Baldoni, for sexual harassment. The lawsuit, which alleges that Baldoni’s behavior on set caused her severe emotional distress, added a layer of complexity to the public narrative. It emerged that Baldoni had allegedly embarked on a campaign to tarnish Lively’s reputation in retaliation for her complaints. This revelation has cast a new light on the earlier drama, prompting many to reconsider the initial judgment of Lively and the broader implications of how we treat famous women.
This cycle of intense public scrutiny followed by a sudden shift in perspective is not unique to Lively. It reflects a broader pattern in which women in the public eye are often subjected to harsh criticism for behaviors that would not receive the same level of attention if exhibited by their male counterparts. The backlash against Lively, for example, was not just about her actions but also about the way society seems to relish in tearing down women who do not conform to expected norms. This tendency is rooted in a deep-seated cultural bias, where women who are seen as “too much” or “too little” are quickly labeled as problematic, often without the full context of their actions.
In recent years, we have seen a growing movement to rehabilitate the reputations of women who were once subject to intense public criticism. Anne Hathaway, for example, faced a barrage of negative attention in the early 2010s, with her earnestness and self-seriousness making her a target of ridicule. However, in more recent years, there has been a shift in how her actions are perceived, with many acknowledging that the criticism she faced was disproportionate and unfair. Similarly, the #FreeBritney movement and the release of Britney Spears’s memoir The Woman in Me have brought attention to the cruel and unjust treatment Spears endured during her public downfall.
Despite this growing awareness, the treatment of women like Lively shows that we have not fully learned from past mistakes. The fact that Lively was so quickly vilified for minor missteps or perceived flaws speaks to a larger issue: our collective tendency to enjoy the downfall of women, especially those who are deemed too successful, too beautiful, or too wealthy. This dynamic reveals something troubling about our culture, where women are often held to impossibly high standards and then punished when they inevitably fail to meet them.
The case of Blake Lively underscores a fundamental question: why are we so quick to tear down women in the public eye? Is it because we are uncomfortable with their success or because we find it easier to indulge in the spectacle of their failures? As Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni unfolds, it serves as a reminder that there is often more to these public dramas than meets the eye. We must ask ourselves why we continue to perpetuate a cycle of judgment, particularly when it comes to women who, despite their imperfections, are often simply trying to navigate the complexities of fame, business, and personal life.
