Despite promising a phase of love and laughter with It Ends With Us, Blake Lively's entrance at the box office was far from cheerful. Caught at the center of PR controversies with director Justin Baldoni, the romantic comedy has shifted from its anticipated lightheartedness to sparking tensions that have drawn negative attention from tabloids, the industry, and the literary world. Recently, an American author publicly criticized Lively, condemning her for desensitizing certain tangible societal issues with the PR trouble surrounding the film's release.

While the drama saw many people choosing sides, this recent backlash against Lively has highlighted an important issue.

On Wednesday’s episode of the Citizen McCain podcast, Meghan McCain called Blake Lively “insensitive” for her approach to the issue of domestic violence while promoting It Ends With Us. Lively faced criticism for neglecting the film’s theme of domestic violence, instead focusing on promoting her new hair care line, Blake Brown Beauty, and her floral fashion choices. McCain sharply criticized the “tone she’s setting in a lot of the press,” reflecting on how Lively urged women to put on their florals and come together.

McCain believes that anyone taking on the responsibility of discussing a woman’s experience with domestic violence must do so with respect, as they are representing the voices of millions who have struggled, including both binary and non-binary genders. She acknowledged that she had not read the book and was unaware of its theme before the press tour. However, upon learning, she finds it “insensitive” and particularly odd for women to dress in florals to watch what is being marketed as a “fun girl movie about domestic violence.”

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McCain did not stop at raising questions; she also cast serious doubt on whether Lively’s stardom is truly deserved.

The PR controversy surrounding It Ends With Us led even fans to direct frustration toward Blake Lively and Colleen Hoover. However, Meghan McCain’s criticism has escalated, now questioning the legitimacy of Lively’s superstardom. On the Citizen McCain podcast, McCain voiced her skepticism, stating, “I don’t understand why she’s famous other than Gossip Girl and being married to Ryan Reynolds,” emphasizing that she could not name any other notable projects that have made Lively famous.

McCain described Lively’s situation as one of “high-level privilege” due to being a “beautiful, blonde white woman,” but noted that Lively has seriously harmed her career by mishandling the PR for It Ends With Us. While McCain does not believe this mistake will end Lively’s stardom, she suggested that it would have been more appropriate for Lively to research the issues she represents. However, McCain did not hold back, expressing that she has been “sick” of hearing the tabloid scrubbing the same names, Lively and Reynolds.

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What do you think of Meghan McCain's remarks about Blake Lively for insensitively handling the PR for It Ends With Us? Let us know in the comments below!