Blake Lively Defends Her Role in ‘It Ends With Us’ Amid Criticism Over Domestic Violence Portrayal
Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Blake Lively, who stars as Lily Bloom in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel It Ends With Us, is reportedly addressing backlash surrounding her portrayal by highlighting positive fan feedback. On Sunday, September 1, the 36-year-old actress took to her Instagram Stories to share a review praising her performance, particularly noting, “Blake Lively excels in portraying Lily’s transformation.”
This move comes in response to accusations that Lively mishandled the portrayal of domestic violence in the film and has allegedly used her celebrity status to belittle interviewers in past discussions. Amid the controversy, Lively’s brother-in-law, Bart Johnson—best known for his role as Coach Jack Bolton in High School Musical—publicly defended her, told Pop Culture.
Johnson addressed the criticism directly, saying, “I’m really sorry you feel that way. I’m sure you have a huge heart and want the best. I can promise you the truth has not come out yet. Blake worked harder on this film than anything I’ve seen her do in my entire life. Because it meant so much to her.”
Johnson’s response was directed at a critic who had expressed disappointment in Lively’s approach to the sensitive subject matter, stating, “Shame she’s so set on promoting happiness in a domestic violence setting without any regard for any victims. Disappointing from Blake.”
Despite the criticism, It Ends With Us has garnered significant attention since its premiere on August 9, quickly making headlines for its global acclaim. Lively’s decision to share the positive review appears to be an effort to refocus the narrative on her commitment to the role and the work she put into bringing the character of Lily Bloom to life.
As the conversation around the film continues, Lively’s subtle yet pointed response through her social media channels suggests she is standing by her portrayal, even as she navigates the complex reactions to the film’s depiction of domestic violence.
