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Blake Lively Faces Backlash Over SNL Skit, Plantation Wedding, and Blackface Jokes

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Fans have recently criticized Blake Lively for her portrayal of a black woman in a Saturday Night Live sketch from three years ago, which has sparked controversy due to her subsequent controversial plantation-themed wedding to Ryan Reynolds.

37-year-old actress and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, are currently involved in a legal dispute with their It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, following allegations of sexual harassment and a damaging campaign against them. In response, the director has filed a lawsuit against the couple, claiming defamation.

All parties involved are denying the accusations made against them, but Blake is under significant scrutiny due to various issues such as bullying-like behavior, conflicts with fellow cast members, and her marriage to Ryan Reynolds at a plantation in South Carolina that was once a slave plantation – an action that has consistently faced strong criticism. Later on, Reynolds issued an apology for this specific event.

Blake has also received criticism due to her past admissions about dressing up as ‘Scary Spice’ with dark bronzer and following boys as a teen, claiming the disguise made them believe she was African-American.

It’s been discovered that she was involved in another instance of portraying a black woman during the 2009 Saturday Night Live sketch called “Virginiaca shops for a beaded skirt,” which has now come to light.

In a recent post on X, the clip shows an encounter between Blake and another individual where they disagreed with a salesperson over Blake’s inability to purchase a Prada skirt for their Virginiaca character, as the salesperson claimed the character couldn’t afford it.

In more conversational terms using African American Vernacular English (AAVE), Blake, donned up in a wig that looked like straightened afro hair, hollered out: “Ain’t nobody got time fo’ dat ‘tude, I ain’t feelin’ it. I need my mama now! Mama, where you be at, girl?

In a different phrasing, here it goes: Emerging from the dressing room was Kenan Thompson, playing the role of her mother, and they had a discussion with the store clerk. Blake persisted in using the same accent to say, “This is my mom. You need to stop trying to bother her snack.

Then, she started dancing with a motion similar to twerking, and Virginiaca encouraged her, exclaiming, “Your booty spins in a circle!” or simply, “Spinning booty!

Blake’s character told the assistant: ‘You lucky my papa ain’t up in here.’ 

I simply can’t believe I overlooked the hilarious sketch featuring Blake Lively as a streetwise Black woman on Saturday Night Live! What a performance!

In the comments, others were left stunned as they wrote: ‘Day by day, I dislike her more and more.’

‘Not funny at all’; ‘hard to watch’; ‘I couldn’t even get to the 1 minute mark, it was so cringe.’ 

‘No laughs. Did you hear laughs? ‘Blake thought she was so funny. That wasn’t the least bit funny.’

Was our marriage ceremony held prior to, or following, the event at the plantation?

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’ve often observed trends on platforms like TikTok. Recently, I noticed a post that sparked quite a reaction, with many commenting about the ‘second-hand embarrassment’ they felt. I must admit, I was taken aback by some actions and found myself questioning if it warranted potential cancellation.

‘I’ve never heard the live audience so silent on this show’; ‘This was embarrassing to watch.’

On September 9, 2012, the well-known Hollywood duo exchanged vows in a private event filled with famous friends, which took place at Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens in South Carolina.

The beautiful setting for the wedding ceremony carries a troubled past, marked by the presence of old slave quarters and fields where cotton is still grown – a haunting testament to the atrocities that occurred there in days long gone.

One of America’s long-standing operational plantations dates back to centuries past. During the 19th century, it was under the ownership of the Horlbeck brothers, Henry and John, who were involved in the brick industry. They constructed numerous public spaces in downtown Charleston using bricks produced right from this very plantation.

By 1850, Boone Hall was producing 4,000,000 bricks per year using 85 slaves.

In a 2020 interview, the actor who played Deadpool later referred to their wedding as a regrettable error, following widespread criticism for what appeared to be an attempt to romanticize a historical site where many African slaves endured and perished, which was once a plantation.

The intensity of embarrassment experienced by the couple was overwhelming, leading them to take the step of remarrying each other in their New York residence.

Apart from this, they’ve generously contributed large sums to the NAACP’s Legal Defense and Educational Fund and have openly expressed their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter cause.

Despite their attempts to rectify past mistakes, the controversy over their wedding persists and lingers on the internet.

Additionally, it has been alleged that the star confessed to applying bronzer extensively on her skin and donning a Spice Girls-inspired wig to pursue men, which some people have compared to blackface.

In a recent turn of events, she faced criticism following the resurfacing of a video from 2006 where she humorously mentioned using cosmetics and a wig to appear racially different, specifically Black.

In an old interview shared on TikTok, Blake and Justin Long (aged 46) were chatting with MTV during the promotion of their movie “Accepted”. During the conversation, Blake confessed that she used to deceive her teenage crushes.

In the tenth grade, my best friend and I developed intense crushes on some boys, spending time driving around town as if we were following or stalking them.

One evening, she chose to go to the arcade where they were hanging out. To blend in, I covered myself with bronzer and styled my hair like Scary Spice, hoping they’d mistake me for a Black girl. This way, I could follow them discreetly. My friend dressed up as a gothic character. We actually sat outside their homes, she confessed.

Alternate version: Her fellow actors showed no surprise, with Justin replying, “That means you’re endearing and appealing, you’re still attractive.

But users were appalled by the story, sharing their thoughts in the comments.

‘I BEG your PARDON?’ one shocked user wrote. 

> Instead of saying “I AM a geek,” you could say, “I consider myself quite the nerd…” or simply, “I’m quite the tech whiz.” As for the second part, it could be rephrased as:
>
> “…let me clarify that I’m not always this extreme; there was just this one instance where I tanned my skin to look like Scary Spice in an attempt to approach a guy. But hey, here’s the story…” or more casually, “…to set the record straight, I don’t usually go to such lengths; however, once upon a time, I did dye my skin to mimic Scary Spice when trying to meet someone. Now, let me share that tale with you…

The other person seemed to believe that I looked like a young woman of African descent,” the individual wondered, with a hint of confusion, as if they were questioning whether the statement implied the use of blackface.

‘Did she say the way she is a geek is by cosplaying “as a Black girl,”‘ another user fumed. 

Nevertheless, no criticism impeded Blake’s inclusion on the TIME 100 list of the Most Influential People in 2025, nor did it deter a heartfelt tribute from renowned civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill.

Despite facing criticism, Blake managed to secure a spot on the TIME 100 list of the Most Influential People in 2025, and was also honored with an effusive tribute from civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill.

In her endorsement, Ifill praised Lively as an individual deeply involved in philanthropy and someone genuinely dedicated to progressing our nation.

In simpler terms, Ifill said that they are not familiar with Blake Lively on the red carpet or at events like the Met Gala, as they have never watched ‘Gossip Girl’. However, the Blake Lively they do know is a philanthropist and someone who studies complex societal issues. In 2019, she and her husband Ryan Reynolds made a donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

During my tenure as president and legal advisor (from 2012 to 2022), I’ve been receiving some phone calls because our efforts in combating voter suppression and police brutality were gaining nationwide recognition.

She mentioned her interest in understanding the type of research well-known individuals conduct prior to making a cold call to extend their support. Those she has maintained relationships with are those, similar to Blake, who truly took the time to do their homework before reaching out.

Ifill expressed admiration for her swift curiosity about this nation’s shaping factors, and her genuine efforts to comprehend them thoroughly.

I recall a past discussion where she mentioned feeling dismayed because a significant portion of our country’s historical facts were not covered during her educational years.

Lively’s dedication towards bridging the knowledge gaps, aiming to be the best-informed citizen, stands out to me the most. Blake is indeed earnest and daring, and her determination to advance our nation – for her kids as well as mine – is commendable.

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2025-05-07 03:22

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