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A journalist is criticizing Blake Lively over a 2016 interview, calling it "the most uncomfortable interview situation I've ever experienced." However, a source close to the actress claims the tension stemmed from a "rude remark" made by the journalist.
On Saturday, Aug. 10, Norwegian reporter Kjersti Flaa uploaded a 4-minute interview with Lively on YouTube, titled "The Blake Lively interview that made me want to quit my job." The video, which has gone viral with over 900,000 views by Aug. 15, features Lively, now 36, and her Café Society co-star Parker Posey, now 55, discussing the Woody Allen film in 2016.
"Sitting down with Blake Lively and her co-star Parker Posey for Café Society (2016) was the most uncomfortable interview I've ever experienced," Flaa explained in the video's description. "Is it wrong to congratulate someone on their pregnancy or ask about costumes in a movie? Share your thoughts in the comments."
At the start of the clip, Flaa congratulated Lively on her pregnancy, referring to her "little bump." The interview took place around the time Lively was expecting her daughter, Inez, who was born on Sept. 30, 2016, a few months after Café Society's release. Lively responded to Flaa's comment by saying, "Congrats on your little bump," in return.
Following a brief side conversation between Lively and Posey about "lovely lady lumps," Flaa complimented the film's visual style and asked the actresses about their costumes. "Did you enjoy wearing those clothes?" she asked.
Lively responded by questioning whether men would be asked the same thing. "Everyone wants to talk about the clothes, but would they ask the men about their outfits?" she asked Posey. Flaa quickly replied, "I would," but Lively continued speaking with Posey about the costumes worn by male actors in the film, commenting that it's not only women who have wardrobe discussions, though it tends to dominate conversations about them.
A source close to Lively, who hasn't spoken directly with her about the interview, expressed understanding for Lively's reaction to the pregnancy comment. "You're a female journalist in Hollywood interviewing a working mom, and the best you can start with is 'Congrats on your little bump?' Of course Blake was annoyed," the source said.
"It's such an impolite comment. She's expecting a child," they added. "If you feel the need to mention her pregnancy, at least be respectful about it."
Since posting the interview, Flaa shared an update with her followers on Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Aug. 14: "Thank you to all the wonderful people who've sent supportive messages after I posted this interview. I'm truly touched ❤️."
The resurfaced interview coincides with rumors of a conflict between Lively and her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. The film marks Lively's first leading role in four years, and she also served as a producer. Baldoni has mostly handled press alone ahead of the film's release and was seen posing with his wife, rather than with the rest of the cast, during the New York premiere on Aug. 6. He has since hired crisis PR manager Melissa Nathan of The Agency Group amid reports of alleged issues on set.
