'Extremely offensive': Blake Lively lambasts 'sexist' magazine cover featuring Justin Baldoni drama
Blake Lively has condemned The Hollywood Reporter for publishing a "sexist" cover that portrays her as the aggressor in an ongoing workplace misconduct dispute with Justin Baldoni. The actress called out the media for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and downplaying serious allegations.
Hollywood star Blake Lively has openly criticized The Hollywood Reporter for its latest cover, which she claims perpetuates sexist narratives about women who speak out against workplace misconduct. The controversial image, released as part of the magazine’s latest issue, depicts Lively loading a phone into a slingshot aimed at Justin Baldoni, who is seen holding a copy of It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. The imagery suggests an antagonistic dynamic between the two, leading to backlash from Lively and her team.
The Hollywood reporter should be ashamed
A spokesperson for Lively provided a scathing statement to The Daily Mail on Friday, calling out the magazine for its damaging portrayal. "The Hollywood Reporter should be ashamed of itself. The framing in this picture is outrageously insulting as it plays into every sexist trope about women who dare file a workplace complaint, turning them into the aggressor and suggesting they deserve the retaliation that comes their way."
The statement further criticized the publication for seemingly downplaying allegations of misconduct, suggesting that the article attempts to dismiss documented cases of harassment as mere "cultural misunderstandings."
Controversy over Justin Baldoni’s Baha'i faith in the report
Beyond the problematic cover, the article itself has sparked outrage for delving into Baldoni’s Baha’i faith and questioning whether his religious beliefs may have inadvertently contributed to the conflict with Lively. Critics argue that linking religious practices to workplace disputes is an irresponsible attempt to deflect accountability and shift the conversation away from the core issue, allegations of misconduct.
Public reaction and industry backlash
The magazine feature has ignited a heated debate in Hollywood and on social media. Many industry professionals and fans have supported Lively’s stance, calling for more responsible journalism when covering sensitive workplace issues.
Blake Lively thinks this cover is “sexist.” If anything it makes her look good? It’s a portrayal of David and Goliath. And they’re making her out to be David (the underdog) — which is ridiculous.
— Zack Peter (@justplainzack) February 23, 2025
Baldoni holds no power in Hollywood in comparison to Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds,… pic.twitter.com/SRvd6qqRhI
Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter has yet to respond to the backlash, leaving many wondering whether the magazine will address the controversy or stand by its editorial choices. As the dispute unfolds, one thing is clear Blake Lively is not backing down, and the conversation around media bias, sexism, and workplace misconduct is far from over.
