Hollywood thrives on drama, both on and off the screen. When legal disputes and public feuds intersect with high-profile projects, the conversation can quickly shift from the film itself to the personalities involved. Right now, Blake Lively finds herself at the center of such a storm, with legal tensions surrounding her film and whispers of lingering issues with co-star Anna Kendrick. If she doesn’t take control of the narrative, she risks losing more than just box office momentum—her long-term reputation could take a hit.
As a psychotherapist, I’ve seen firsthand how public perception can shape a person’s career and mental well-being. Whenever there’s legal drama in Hollywood, it fuels headlines, but for Blake, this isn’t just about the movie—it’s about her identity in the public eye. The backlash she’s facing for promoting the film amid controversy suggests that people aren’t separating her personal situation from her professional work. That could be a major problem, not just for this film but for her future opportunities.
From a psychological standpoint, perception is everything. When audiences associate someone with controversy, it can redefine their entire brand. This is where cognitive biases come into play—confirmation bias, for example, can lead people to find signs of a lack of professionalism in Blake, even if they don’t actually exist. The human brain seeks patterns, and if the media narrative paints her as a problematic figure, audiences will subconsciously look for evidence to confirm that. If she doesn’t work to redirect the conversation, the narrative will take on a life of its own.
Psychologically, there’s also the issue of emotional resilience. High-profile figures under scrutiny often experience heightened stress, which can lead to reactive decision-making. When someone is defensive or caught off guard, it signals uncertainty—a trait that can be damaging in both Hollywood and high-stakes business environments. Blake needs to project confidence, not just for the public but for her own peace of mind. In therapy, I often help clients re-frame negative narratives into ones that serve them. This is exactly what she needs to do: shift the focus and take control of how she’s perceived.
Press interviews will be tough. Reporters aren’t going to let this slide. They’ll frame their questions around the legal battle and past tensions with Kendrick because controversy drives engagement. Blake’s challenge is to stay ahead of the conversation. The worst thing she can do is appear caught off guard or defensive—that will only fuel speculation. Instead, she needs to be proactive: controlled talking points that acknowledge the drama but don’t dwell on it. The goal isn’t to dodge questions—it’s to redirect the conversation before it spirals.
Her team needs to get ahead of this. They should be working with media outlets now, setting the terms: What’s off-limits? What’s the angle? If she’s strategic, she can turn this around. Hollywood runs on relationships, and perception is key. Whether the feud with Kendrick is real or not doesn’t even matter anymore. What matters is how people see Blake. If there’s even a whisper that she’s difficult to work with, it sticks—and that could impact future career opportunities.
Blake needs to own this narrative before it owns her. That means getting seen with Kendrick—not just in press tours, but in candid, unscripted moments. Backstage clips, social media posts, even a joke about their “rivalry” on Instagram would help. If there’s no tension, they need to prove it. If there is tension, they need to fake it. Because in this business, perception trumps reality.
Right now, Blake is reacting instead of leading the conversation, and that’s a mistake. Here’s what she should do:
- Control the message. Get ahead of the legal drama by addressing it once—briefly and confidently.
- Shift the focus. Keep all media appearances centered on the movie, not the controversy. Acknowledge, pivot, move on.
- Be strategic with Kendrick. If there’s any tension, work through it behind the scenes. In public, they need to look like a united front.
- Project confidence. No vague posts, no emotional responses, no defensive interviews. If she looks unbothered, people will move on.
At the end of the day, people forget controversy, but they don’t forget how someone handles it. If Blake stays poised, professional, and in control, she’ll come out ahead.