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Blake Lively Slammed for Embarrassing Time 100 List Inclusion!

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2025 has left me utterly flabbergasted, as I found myself among the Time 100 list of the Most Influential People! Can you believe it? Being an ardent admirer of Blake Lively, this honor feels like a dream come true – or is it too good to be true? Some critics have branded her inclusion as ’embarrassing’ and ‘disgusting’, leaving me puzzled and yearning for a clear explanation.

She found herself grouped with titans in the category that includes tennis icon Serena Williams, tech mogul Mark Zuckerberg, and podcast sensation Joe Rogan.

In the midst of her ongoing legal battles with Justin Baldoni, her fellow actor and director from the 2021 film “It Ends With Us”, the Gossip Girl star received a special recognition.

In the magazine, civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill, formerly the leader of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, publicly praised her after they donated a million dollars to the fund in 2019, Lively was honored with a heartfelt acknowledgment.

Seven years following their marriage at a historical slave plantation in South Carolina, the Hollywood couple received a donation. This event, coupled with their initial decision to marry there, has consistently drawn strong criticism towards them. Later on, Reynolds expressed regret and issued an apology for this controversial choice.

With the announcement that Lively made it onto the prestigious Time list, both she and the magazine faced a torrent of criticism on social media platforms.

One user of the platform, previously known as Twitter, expressed frustration: “You really shot yourself in the foot @TIME by inviting Blake Lively for actions from 2019, seemingly to mask your past wedding at a plantation!” They went on to say, “It’s glaringly obvious that making these lists requires payment – you have lost all credibility!

A different individual commented, “It’s appalling that Blake Lively made the Time 100 list!” They argue that Blake and Ryan Reynolds have not shown any significant support for the black community prior to their wedding on a plantation, which raises questions about how much they paid for the publicity surrounding this event.

In simpler terms, the third person expressed disbelief and disappointment, saying something like, “Really? This is quite unfortunate and distasteful of you,” while the fourth person implied that mainstream pop culture media is heavily influenced by financial backing, suggesting, “It appears that mainstream pop culture media is heavily controlled by money.

As a die-hard fan, I find myself pondering, “How much is all of this setting her back?” Another devotee like me seems to have asked the same question. But let’s face it, if we just fork over the 400 million to Baldoni now, in the long run, it will prove to be a more cost-effective decision.

In the meantime, another individual proposed a theory suggesting that public relations agents actively campaign to have their clients featured on such lists. They argue that these listings carry little significance.

1. ‘Time is no more,’ – Astonished reaction

2. ‘Wow, amazing!’ – Expressing surprise or admiration

3. ‘Is this a genuine statement?’, ‘I can’t believe it!’ – Showing disbelief or skepticism

4. ‘How much did she pay for this piece of writing?’ – Indicating doubt about the authenticity or quality of the work

5. ‘Blake, let’s call it a day,’ – Telling Blake to conclude or finish the task at hand

As a devoted follower, I’m honestly weary of the preferential treatment celebrities seem to receive, particularly when they engage in deceit and dishonesty. Frankly, I can’t help but hope that justice eventually catches up with them.

One person suggested, “So it turns out those meetings are indeed paid, similar to the Walk of Fame encounters.” The other countered, “Now, time holds no more significance for her than it does for nothing at all.

Vibrant was criticized for appearing ‘desperate,’ according to a social media commentator: ‘These publicity moves make me dislike her more…don’t they understand this?’ (This version aims to maintain the same meaning while using simpler, more conversational language.)

A bystander expressed their viewpoint: ‘Indeed, she wields significant influence, particularly in damaging an innocent person’s career maliciously. Such actions require a deep sense of self-centeredness – Karma will eventually catch up with her.’

While brushing aside her past disputes, she announced a statement expressing gratitude: ‘I’m thrilled to have been recognized on the 2025 @time 100 list.’

In simpler terms, the actress from “Gossip Girl” didn’t consider it as a mere occurrence when she was written about by the esteemed Sherrilyn Ifill.

According to her statement, not only has this individual’s work impacted our country significantly, but her very essence – as a person, woman, mother, leader, warrior, healer, empath, risk-taker, and dreamer – has deeply influenced her own heart and fortitude, inspiring her to remain steadfast in her conviction for a brighter, safer future for all.

I appreciate your kindness, and I am deeply touched by one of the most extraordinary and significant experiences of my life that I’ve had because of this recognition. My inner 10-year-old self is absolutely astonished at this moment.

In her endorsement, Ifill praised Lively as an individual with a charitable nature and someone who is deeply serious about propelling our nation forward.

As a devoted admirer, let me confess that I’m not familiar with Blake Lively gracing the red carpet or shining at the Met Gala. I never indulged in the world of Gossip Girl either. However, the Blake Lively I do know is more than just a screen star; she’s a generous philanthropist and an insightful student of our nation’s complex issues. In 2019, she and her partner Ryan Reynolds extended their support by making a significant contribution to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

As the passionate advocate I’ve been, who led the charge as president and legal advisor from 2012 to 2022 for our organization, I’d often find myself on the receiving end of calls. You see, our tireless efforts to combat voter suppression and police brutality were making waves across the nation, garnering attention that sparked these conversations.

She observed: “I’m consistently intrigued by the type of research well-known individuals conduct prior to making a cold call to extend their support. Those I’ve maintained connections with are those who, similar to Blake, truly took the time to do their research.

Ifill expressed admiration for her swift curiosity and genuine efforts to comprehend the factors influencing this nation’s development.

I recall a past discussion where she mentioned her disappointment that many aspects of our country’s history, which were not covered during her educational years, were left out.

Lively’s dedication to bridging those knowledge gaps and striving to be an informed, prepared citizen is what I admire the most about her. Blake is sincere, daring, and determined to advance our nation – not just for her own kids, but for mine as well.

2025 saw quite a stir with the ongoing legal battle, and I’ve been eagerly following updates. DailyMail.com contacted Ifill seeking additional insights into her public endorsement of Lively in this context.

On Wednesday, she enthusiastically expressed on Instagram Stories her heartfelt gratitude for being selected for the distinguished list.

She remarked, “From various stages of my life – whether it’s gazing backward from the vantage point of the future or looking forward from childhood memories – I can clearly perceive the depth of this moment for me. It’s not merely about being part of something; it’s about having a voice.

Lively went on saying, ‘It’s fortunate that something essential like this exists. So, thank you, time, and all of you who inspire the courageous ones, despite the fear they may feel.’

Vibrant is now part of the list of honorees in the Titans category, which also features the creator of Saturday Night Live, Lorne Michaels, and the renowned Olympic gymnast, Simone Biles.

At a particular gathering or event, Ted Sarandos (Netflix’s CEO), Miuccia Prada (a renowned fashion designer), Jonathan Greenblatt (CEO of Anti-Defamation League) and Alex Karp (Palantir’s CEO) were all seated together.

60 Minutes Australia reported on Sunday that Lively faced accusations of attempting to take over the production of “The It Ends With Us” film from Justin Baldoni, as claimed by storyboard artist Talia Spencer.

During a discussion focusing on the contentious court case involving Lively and Baldoni, aged 41, Spencer passionately supported the filmmaker, whom Lively alleged had subjected her to sexual misconduct and orchestrated a malicious smear tactic against her in December.

Speaking about Baldoni, her previous boss, Spencer characterized him as one of only a handful of directors he has collaborated with who were both considerate and courteous. However, it’s important to note that Baldoni has denied all allegations made by Lively and has filed a defamation countersuit against her.

She mused that perhaps Blake sensed his own kindness, mistakenly interpreted it as a sign of vulnerability, and then attempted to seize control or exploit the situation.

When directly questioned about whether Lively aimed to take charge of the movie, Spencer responded affirmatively, saying: “Yes, I believe she did try.

Regarding whether Lively managed to achieve her desired power over the film adaptation, a team member from “The It Ends With Us” commented that there seemed to be a significant deviation from Justin’s initial vision for the movie.

Spencer additionally remembered pondering over the fact that Baldoni held ‘great passion’ for the movie’s concept and was more ‘driven by the project’s purpose’ rather than seeking celebrity status.

She further stated that she has great difficulty accepting the accusations against him, given his declared purpose for the movie in line with helping young women, as he genuinely expressed during his presentation about the film.

‘I just find it hard to believe the allegations, to be honest,’ she reiterated.

Regarding feeling uneasy during her interactions with Baldoni, Spencer firmly stated that she never experienced discomfort.

As a devoted admirer, I’d say that spending time with Justin feels remarkably less intimidating compared to many directors I’ve encountered in my professional journey since 2019, having contributed to ten different film projects.

We’ve attempted to contact the representatives of both Lively and Baldoni, yet no response has been received so far from either side.

Earlier, Baldoni informed People that Lively had a hand in every aspect of the project and exerted influence over it.

In an earlier interview, he admired that whatever she touched or focused on, she improved significantly.

Or,

He commended her in a previous interview, stating that everything she worked on and thought about, she managed to make it better. This was said before she filed her lawsuit.

In early January, Lively’s lawyers vigorously claimed that Baldoni was employing tactics from the “abuser’s playbook” in his $400 million lawsuit filed against her and Reynolds.

Earlier this year, Baldoni and his representatives filed a lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, alleging that they had conspired to sabotage their careers and tarnish their reputation through unfounded claims of sexual misconduct.

Exclusive court documents obtained by DailyMail.com allege that Lively and Reynolds, leveraging their collective stardom, attempted to seize creative control over the movie “It Ends With Us,” a production in which they both starred alongside director Baldoni.

A defamation lawsuit was initiated against Baldoni, following Lively’s lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment and fostering an unpleasant work atmosphere during the movie production. However, he has strongly refuted these accusations.

In reaction to Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit, Lively’s legal team released a strong statement to DailyMail.com, stating: ‘Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and their allies are continuing a pattern of behavior seen in the manual for abusers with this new lawsuit.’

A woman presents proof of sexual harassment and retaliation, and the offender tries to shift blame onto the accuser instead. This phenomenon is known as DARVO, which stands for Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender.

Instead of using their own resources, Baldoni’s production company Wayfarer Studios chose to leverage the assets of its wealthy co-founder for releasing press statements, filing groundless lawsuits, and making legal threats. This strategy was aimed at drowning out public comprehension, suggesting that these actions were retaliation against accusations of sexual harassment.

Attorneys for Lively stated: ‘They’re attempting to change the focus onto Ms. Lively by spreading untruths about her taking creative control and pushing the cast away from Mr. Baldoni. The proof will demonstrate that the cast, as well as others, had their own unfavorable experiences with Mr. Baldoni and Wayfarer.’

‘The proof will demonstrate that Sony had asked Ms. Lively to manage their portion of the film, which they later chose to distribute and became extremely popular. However, when faced with sexual harassment accusations, Sony blamed Ms. Lively, implying it was her fault. Additionally, their explanation for why this happened to her was based on what she was wearing.’

Essentially, here’s what was determined: ‘To summarize, while the victim is preoccupied with the mistreatment, the perpetrator is fixated on the victim. This approach of criticizing the woman is a desperate measure, it does not counter the claims in Ms. Lively’s complaint, and it will ultimately fall short.’

In Baldoni’s legal action, he claimed that Lively asserted control over production, even though it is said that he hadn’t read the book until the filming had progressed significantly.

It is said that the hijacking incident escalated to such an extent that Baldoni and his family were forced into the basement when they arrived at the red carpet event for the movie premiere on August 6, 2024. This was allegedly due to Lively insisting he should not be present.

The security team, seemingly concerned about an escape attempt, led Baldoni’s group down to the building’s lower level.

Over there, they found themselves restricted within an improvised detention zone, encircled by goods from nearby food stalls, featuring temporary tables and seats arranged in a square layout.

Moreover, the lawsuit states that she refused to read the book initially and resisted the idea entirely during the early stages of film production.

Despite the somber themes portrayed in the book, reports claim that Lively appeared to treat the promotion casually, even going so far as to name a cocktail after the abusive main male character.

According to this document, it provides proof of the insensitivity that ignited an organic reaction against the actress last summer.

The filing shows evidence of the insensitive actions that led to a natural response against the actress during the summer months.

The initial allegations of sexual harassment against Lively were first reported in a New York Times article in December. However, Lively’s publicists later claimed that the texts used in the story were selectively chosen and presented out of context to suggest that Lively was organizing a malicious campaign against the actress.

However, the actor claims that Lively was the mastermind behind the unfavorable media campaign – asserting that she had collaborated with her personal publicist Leslie Sloane and The New York Times for several months prior to the article’s publication.

Baldoni has filed a lawsuit against the publication, seeking $250 million, alleging libel and defamation. In the court documents, he claims the article was built upon Lively’s account of events, which he describes as self-serving.

Back in the early part of this very year, Baldoni’s dedicated crew unveiled a captivating digital platform. This unique space was filled with confidential correspondences – yes, you guessed it, text messages! These very same messages were incorporated into legal submissions, providing an intriguing glimpse into the filmmaking process and Baldoni’s interactions with that influential Hollywood pair as they brought their romantic drama to life. As a die-hard fan, I simply can’t get enough of these behind-the-scenes insights!

In legal documents, he asserted that attempts were made to override and undercut his role as the director of “It Ends with Us.” (This version maintains the original’s formality while using simpler language.)

Previously, Baldoni’s team stated that the documents submitted to the court and posted on their website, which has sparked conversation among fans, provide clarity regarding the intentions of both parties. This recent development represents another instalment in the ongoing dispute between the main figures of It Ends with Us.

The active website located at thelawsuitinfo.com emerges during a series of significant lawsuits involving the movie’s creators, whose production was a box office success in August last year.

As your trusted lifestyle guide, I’m excited to share that the long-awaited site has been launched just days before our first scheduled hearing, which kicks off an important trial set for March 9, 2026.

As your trusted lifestyle guide, I am compelled to share that on December 20th, I found it necessary to submit an extensive 80-page civil rights complaint to the California Civil Rights Department, against an individual named Baldoni. This step was taken prior to officially filing a federal lawsuit, which I initiated on December 31st.

In December, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment during the film’s production. Specifically, she claimed that Baldoni subjected her to sexual harassment in various forms – such as making derogatory comments about her body – and orchestrated a campaign to harm her reputation by spreading false information about her.

In reaction to the lawsuit, Baldoni and his representatives claim that Lively distorted the true meaning of text messages exchanged between them and deceived the public regarding the nature of their communications during the production of the film.

As an over-the-moon fan, I’ve got to spill the beans about a legal tussle that’s been making waves. You know who I’m talking about, right? The one and only Blake Lively! In this case, she called out some key players in Baldoni’s circle. Among them were Wayfarer Studios, the CEO and deep-pocketed benefactor of that studio, and PR powerhouses Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel.

In her conversation with The New York Times, lively expressed her hope that her legal action would expose the hidden, harmful strategies used against those who voice out misconduct, thereby safeguarding others who might face similar situations in the future.

Afterwards, Baldoni filed a lawsuit against the newspaper for $250 million, accusing them of defamation based on a news article published on December 21st titled ‘”We Can Silence Anyone”: Unveiling a Hollywood Slander Operation.’ However, the newspaper has disputed these claims.

On the 16th of January, Baldoni brought forward a lawsuit worth $400 million against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist Sloane, accusing them of defamation and extortion.

Baldoni informed the court that the group fabricated allegations of ‘inappropriate behavior’ or ‘baseless claims of sexual misconduct’ against him.

After Lively lodged her complaint, Baldoni has experienced several career repercussions. These include a legal action brought forth by a previous publicist, as well as getting let go by the agency, WME, which represents both Lively and Reynolds.

According to Variety, it’s been stated that WME refutes allegations suggesting that Lively and Reynolds pressured them into removing Baldoni from their list of clients.

Both legal teams agreed on a strategy to consolidate the federal lawsuits they are handling, aiming to streamline the proceedings as they all refute the accusations made against them.

The movie titled “It Ends with Us,” featuring Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Brandon Sklenar, and Kevin McKidd, premiered on August 9 and proved to be popular among viewers.

The movie, based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, grossed a total of $148 million within the U.S., with an additional $350 million from international box offices, as reported by Box Office Mojo.

2005 saw Blake Lively make a lively debut in the movie “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” alongside Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, and America Ferrera. This role catapulted her into prominence, leading to her starring as Serena van der Woodsen on the hit TV show “Gossip Girl” from 2007-2012.

Additionally, she can be seen in films like “The Town” from 2010, “The Shallows” in 2016, “A Simple Favor” in 2018, and “The Rhythm Section” from 2020.

Before his work on “It Ends with Us”, Baldoni was primarily recognized for portraying Rafael Solano on the television series Jane the Virgin from 2014 to 2019. Additionally, he has directed movies such as “Five Feet Apart” in 2019 and “Clouds” in 2020, and authored the book “Man Enough”, published in 2021, which explored modern masculinity misconceptions.

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2025-04-17 23:06

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