Blake Lively Shares Domestic Violence Hotline Amid ‘It Ends With Us’ Backlash

Blake Lively is sharing a domestic violence hotline amid backlash from social media users.

On Tuesday, the “It Ends With Us” star took to her Instagram story and posted a link to the National Domestic Violence Hotline resource page for her followers.

“1 in 4 women aged 18 and older in the U.S. alone have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Intimate partner violence affects all genders, including more than 12 million people every year in the United States. Everyone deserves relationships free from domestic violence,” she wrote on the story.

Prior to that, she posted another Instagram story on Tuesday writing, “Thank you to everyone who came out to show that people WANT to see films about women, and the multitudes we hold. ‘It Ends With Us’ is a story of the female experience. All the highest highs, and lowest lows. And we are so proud of it.”

The “Gossip Girl” alum stars in the new movie, which is a film adaptation of author Colleen Hoover’s bestselling book, opposite Justin Baldoni. But the film has received backlash for its depiction of domestic violence, and some viewers have flooded Lively’s Instagram comments with criticism about her handling of the topic.

The movie follows a flower shop owner named Lily Blossom Bloom (Lively), who falls in love with a dashing neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni) amid reconnecting with her stoic childhood sweetheart, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar).

The movie, which is produced by Lively, dissects controversial themes including generational abuse, cycles of domestic violence, and the pervasive way these issues can affect a person’s life.

Some viewers have expressed issues with Lively, saying they feel like she isn’t taking these themes seriously.

In a promotional video for “It Ends With Us,” Lively said “grab your friends, wear your florals” while encouraging fans to visit theatres and watch the film. The comments have sparked online furor from fans who argue they are “inappropriate.” On X, users commented about the Vogue September Issue cover star’s recent remarks.

“I’m gonna start quoting Blake Lively in my everyday life at the most inappropriate times,” one user wrote, adding “‘Grab your friends! Wear your florals!’ when someone mentions a funeral.”

Another said: “Blake Lively really said ‘grab your friends and your florals’ to see a movie about domestic abuse tone deaf.”

And the backlash on X was just the beginning. On Lively’s most recent Instagram post, users have flooded her comments with criticism of Lively’s behavior during the press tour for “It Ends With Us.”

“I’m very confused. You missed the entire purpose of the movie. I’m sad and disappointed,” one commenter wrote. Another said that “an Instagram story after all that’s come out is not going to fix your image.”

“This is a movie about abuse can you promote please appropriately,” another said, while another commented, “We need a remake without Blake. Keep Justin Baldoni because he is the only one talking about domestic violence. It’s not about flowers bby.”

The Lively backlash follows online speculation that has surfaced about a rumored feud between the Betty Buzz founder and Baldoni.

The drama first started Aug. 6 at the New York City premiere of “It Ends with Us,” when fans noticed there wasn’t a single shot of the entire cast together.

Lively was photographed with husband Ryan Reynolds, fellow A-lister friend Hugh Jackman, and co-stars Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar while Baldoni was pictured solo or with his wife, actress Emily Baldoni.

In an interview published on Today.com, Baldoni said, “Every movie is a miracle. And then, of course, you’re navigating complex personalities and trying to get everybody on the same page with the same vision. And mistakes are always made, and then you figure out how to move past them.”

None of the main cast members of “It Ends with Us” follow Baldoni on the social media platform, as of publication. Amid speculation of a feud, Baldoni has employed a PR manager, highly experienced in crises, per reports. According to The Hollywood Reporter and People Magazine, Baldoni has partnered with Melissa Nathan, founder of The Agency Group PR. She previously represented actor Johnny Depp during his litigation with ex-wife Amber Heard.

Source: USA TODAY, The Hollywood Reporter, People Magazine