Blake Lively Criticized for Styling Younger Actress in ‘It Ends With Us’

Blake Lively has recently found herself at the center of a styling controversy. The actress, who stars in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s “It Ends With Us,” has faced criticism for her wardrobe choices for Isabela Ferrer, the 23-year-old actress portraying a younger version of Lively’s character.

The issue came to light when stylist and costume designer Shannon Stokes shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) from the film’s New York City premiere. According to Daily Mail, Ferrer acknowledged Lively’s influence on her outfit in the clip, stating, “She did style me. This is all her doing.” The young actress wore an Oscar de la Renta dress, describing it as “in classic Blake fashion,” and accessorized with lots of Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, even donning Lively’s own shoes.

While Ferrer expressed gratitude for Lively’s guidance, calling her “an absolute angel and a mentor and a big sister,” online reactions were less positive. Stokes’ post triggered a wave of critical comments, with the stylist remarking, “This styling is so unhinged. This is why you hire professionals.”

The controversy stretches beyond just one outfit. Throughout the film’s press tour, both Lively and Ferrer have appeared in floral-themed ensembles, a nod to the protagonist’s occupation as a flower shop owner in the story. However, this thematic dressing has drawn criticism for being outdated or overly literal.

One particularly outspoken critic on X said, “I am going to say something that has the potential to be incredibly controversial… I do not think Blake Lively is the style icon she or anyone else believes herself to be.” While acknowledging Lively’s beauty and past fashion successes, they found her style “underwhelming.”

Others targeted specific elements of Ferrer’s look, especially the excessive layering of jewelry. Comments varied from bewilderment at “The sheer amount of bracelets” to outright criticism, with some calling the gemstones “ridiculous” and “random.” One user jokingly added, “‘Don’t know where I’d be without her’… well, probably styled better, for one thing.”

Some also drew parallels between Ferrer’s styling and Lively’s iconic Gossip Girl character, Serena van der Woodsen, suggesting that Lively might be stuck in a 2010s aesthetic. This has reignited discussions about Lively’s choice not to work with a professional stylist, a decision some now question. Many speculated that Ferrer might have felt compelled to accept Lively’s styling suggestions due to their power dynamic.

Despite the styling issues, Ferrer’s casting has been widely praised. Many noted the striking resemblance between the two actresses, with some even questioning if they were related. This physical similarity extends to a shared mole below their right eyes, adding to the uncanny likeness.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lively recalled her immediate reaction to Ferrer’s audition tape: “We were like, ‘This is crazy.’ And there were other great actresses who gave great performances, but there was just no one but her. Because even if she didn’t act in a similar way as me or speak in a similar way or have similar mannerisms or look like me or have the same mole, her performance was so strong, her heart was so strong.”

Ferrer, for her part, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to portray a younger version of Lively’s character in what is her first feature film. “I knew how important this movie was and how important Colleen is,” she said. “Also, what a nice compliment to be like, ‘Could you play young Blake Lively?’ That’s the biggest compliment I’ve ever gotten in my whole life.”

Lively’s support for Ferrer extended beyond styling. Ferrer recounted a meaningful on-set conversation: “You came up to me and you were like, ‘I want you to know that this role is just as much yours as it is mine.’ It was like the most supportive and uplifting thing to feel as a young actor coming into this, to feel like somebody like you who has such a high status and is so important in this project to also be like, ‘What do you think?’ That’s the biggest privilege and compliment.”

The film, based on Hoover’s bestselling novel, tells the story of Lily Bloom, a flower shop owner who becomes entangled in a complex relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. While the story includes elements of romance, it primarily focuses on themes of overcoming trauma and breaking cycles of domestic violence.

Lively, who also served as a producer on the project, emphasized the importance of telling the story with “love and sensitivity and empathy” from all angles. She explained, “We’re saying life is messy, love is messy, people are messy. It’s not Google Maps. You haven’t arrived at your destination. You think you’ve arrived. [Lily] knows where she came from and where she’s going, but she still gets lost and still finds herself more. And I think that that grace and that empathy is everything.”

Source: Daily Mail, The Hollywood Reporter