, once celebrated as one of Hollywood's quintessential It-girls, has recently found herself at the center of controversy following the release of her August 2024 film, Why? Because the film, which tackles the serious theme of domestic abuse, has ignited discussions online, particularly due to the Fans and critics alike have expressed disappointment, arguing that Lively has not been transparent about the film's heavy subject matter in her promotional efforts. Instead of focusing on the film's serious themes, many feel . In the wake of the film's release, Lively did take a step toward addressing the issue by sharing the contact information for the on her Instagram Story.
This gesture was seen as an attempt to provide support, but it has not completely quelled the backlash. Critics argue that her marketing approach was insensitive, Adding to the drama, a resurfaced interview from 2016 has drawn renewed attention. In this interview, Lively was criticized , which has led to further scrutiny of her public persona.
Missteps in film promotion and Middleton comments Moreover, Lively faced backlash for some teasing directed at , prior to Kate's cancer announcement in March 2024. TikTok user @brennasbakery highlighted how Lively seemed to capitalize on the situation, stating, " The jokes Lively made were reportedly part of a , but many felt they were in poor taste, especially given the context of Kate's health struggles. Following the backlash, , acknowledging that her attempts at humor.