Why is Blake Lively so overrated?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess the irony is that someone who very clearly slept her way to the top is now outraged that someone is exploiting sex in their career.

None of her exaggerated complaints generate more than an eye roll.

Considering the backlash against Baldoni, you're the only one blowing this off.

This. Even Justin's podcast partner of 4 years 'noped' right out of there.

[Anonymous]

The excusing of the PR companies smacks of a "boys will be boys" mentality

Maybe it is time for PR companies to be exposed for their disgusting, immoral, undermining tactics. It's one thing to pay for a positive news story for your client. It is entirely another to deliberately start reddit, other forum threads, use paid posters, etc. It isn't that different to me from how the FTC has just recently enacted laws regarding strict penalties for fake and planted product reviews. In this case, the "product" is a person/celebrity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-crisis-pr-harassment-1236258539/ some qoutes for those who don't want to read it all. In short, PR companies are mad at Blake for exposing them.

The source added that “fix-it shops usually employ some cyber warriors who come in to manage chatter, but it’s an unwritten code that you will not hire companies or social media agitators to go out and script a new narrative

“There are two smear campaigns going on here,” said one top studio executive. “One against Lively, and one against the PR people. It doesn’t mean that Jen Abel and Melissa Nathan didn’t do anything wrong, but who sold them out? There’s a code you don’t breach.” Another industry figure frequently involved in high profile conflicts said, “That’s crisis PR talk, right? Everybody talks like that. Everybody loves to talk a big game.”

I am 8:22 (talking about how the PR stuff only bothers me because of the underlying harassment on set).

I actually think one issue with Lively's team coming out hard regarding the PR campaign is that is is *highly* likely, if not guaranteed, that Lively and Reynolds have hired PR teams that have used similar tactics. In fact it's possible their PR team engaged in the exact same strategy against Baldoni when the film was coming out and all the rumors about a rift between them was swirling.

The *effect* of the same campaign against Baldoni will be different because (1) he's not as famous so you will never get the same traction on social media as you will with a smear campaign against someone as high profile as Lively, and (2) we live in a deeply misogynist society, so getting people to hate on an attractive actress is MUCH easier than getting them to hate on an attractive actor/director.

But the tactics are the same. Which is why I find the people acting horrified by what Baldoni's PR team did here are being either disingenuous or very naive. Especially people in the industry acting shocked. What Baldoni is alleged to have done on set is awful (and illegal, and actionable). What his PR team is alleged to have done is honestly pretty run of the mill PR. Yes it is distasteful but if you've ever worked in media or politics, none of it should shock you. This is literally how PR works -- you use manipulative tactics to sway the narrative in favor of your client and, if necessary, against anyone who is making your client look bad. That's literally the whole job.

I have been posting in support of Blake Lively the past few days and I agree with you. The underlying harassment is, for me, the main issue here. As is the disgustingness of Baldoni very crassly weaponizing being an ally of domestic violence survivors in order to discredit a woman he harassed (if that is true).

The PR tactics are nothing new, and are used regularly in both politics and media (as you pointed out, likely by Blake herself), but I think what’s shocked a lot of people, including me, is how easily manipulated even smart people are.

I consider myself a reasonably well-informed person and consumer of political news. I certainly have wondered how dumb people have to be to fall for Russian/right-wing disinformation. But over the summer, I definitely fell victim to the anti-Blake PR too - mostly because I already found her to be a little entitled and annoying, and then the resurfaced videos (particularly the one of her being rude in the interview) and commentary that was dug up, plus the hammering of her seemingly insensitive PR strategy regarding the movie, reinforced that. I have other things to do so I wasn’t piling on to her online, but my opinion of her absolutely was manipulated. These PR people are clearly very good at their jobs.

[Anonymous]

Nepo baby Lively is just pissed off that people viscerally hate her. lol

“The standard scenario planning TAG PR drafted proved unnecessary as audiences found Lively’s own actions, interviews and marketing during the promotional tour distasteful, and responded organically to that which the media themselves picked up on," he said in the statement. "It’s ironic that the New York Times, through their effort to 'uncover' an insidious PR effort, played directly into the hands of Lively’s own dubious PR tactics by publishing leaked personal text exchanges that lack critical context — the very same tactics she’s accusing the firm of implementing."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess the irony is that someone who very clearly slept her way to the top is now outraged that someone is exploiting sex in their career.

None of her exaggerated complaints generate more than an eye roll.

Considering the backlash against Baldoni, you're the only one blowing this off.

Backlash is fake. This is all PR and bots. Normal Americans are enjoying the holidays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-crisis-pr-harassment-1236258539/ some qoutes for those who don't want to read it all. In short, PR companies are mad at Blake for exposing them.

The source added that “fix-it shops usually employ some cyber warriors who come in to manage chatter, but it’s an unwritten code that you will not hire companies or social media agitators to go out and script a new narrative

“There are two smear campaigns going on here,” said one top studio executive. “One against Lively, and one against the PR people. It doesn’t mean that Jen Abel and Melissa Nathan didn’t do anything wrong, but who sold them out? There’s a code you don’t breach.” Another industry figure frequently involved in high profile conflicts said, “That’s crisis PR talk, right? Everybody talks like that. Everybody loves to talk a big game.”

I am 8:22 (talking about how the PR stuff only bothers me because of the underlying harassment on set).

I actually think one issue with Lively's team coming out hard regarding the PR campaign is that is is *highly* likely, if not guaranteed, that Lively and Reynolds have hired PR teams that have used similar tactics. In fact it's possible their PR team engaged in the exact same strategy against Baldoni when the film was coming out and all the rumors about a rift between them was swirling.

The *effect* of the same campaign against Baldoni will be different because (1) he's not as famous so you will never get the same traction on social media as you will with a smear campaign against someone as high profile as Lively, and (2) we live in a deeply misogynist society, so getting people to hate on an attractive actress is MUCH easier than getting them to hate on an attractive actor/director.

But the tactics are the same. Which is why I find the people acting horrified by what Baldoni's PR team did here are being either disingenuous or very naive. Especially people in the industry acting shocked. What Baldoni is alleged to have done on set is awful (and illegal, and actionable). What his PR team is alleged to have done is honestly pretty run of the mill PR. Yes it is distasteful but if you've ever worked in media or politics, none of it should shock you. This is literally how PR works -- you use manipulative tactics to sway the narrative in favor of your client and, if necessary, against anyone who is making your client look bad. That's literally the whole job.

I have been posting in support of Blake Lively the past few days and I agree with you. The underlying harassment is, for me, the main issue here. As is the disgustingness of Baldoni very crassly weaponizing being an ally of domestic violence survivors in order to discredit a woman he harassed (if that is true).

The PR tactics are nothing new, and are used regularly in both politics and media (as you pointed out, likely by Blake herself), but I think what’s shocked a lot of people, including me, is how easily manipulated even smart people are.

I consider myself a reasonably well-informed person and consumer of political news. I certainly have wondered how dumb people have to be to fall for Russian/right-wing disinformation. But over the summer, I definitely fell victim to the anti-Blake PR too - mostly because I already found her to be a little entitled and annoying, and then the resurfaced videos (particularly the one of her being rude in the interview) and commentary that was dug up, plus the hammering of her seemingly insensitive PR strategy regarding the movie, reinforced that. I have other things to do so I wasn’t piling on to her online, but my opinion of her absolutely was manipulated. These PR people are clearly very good at their jobs.

I think there needs to be FTC regulation of PR company tactics for people no different than FTC regulation of marketing of products. While you always know to some extent it exists, to see it exposed in this case, it is absolutely disgusting. We need to stop excusing it with "well PR firms always do this" and hold them accountable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess the irony is that someone who very clearly slept her way to the top is now outraged that someone is exploiting sex in their career.

None of her exaggerated complaints generate more than an eye roll.

You are victim blaming. I really couldn’t care less if she slept her way to the top or not. Sexual harassment in the workplace, or anywhere, is wrong and disgusting and illegal and she has every right to expose it and exercise her legal rights against it if she chooses to do that.

I feel very sorry for your kids, coworkers, or really anyone you have to interact with if you genuinely think that the behavior described in the complaint (if true) is acceptable. Maybe do some internal reflection and try to be a better person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess the irony is that someone who very clearly slept her way to the top is now outraged that someone is exploiting sex in their career.

None of her exaggerated complaints generate more than an eye roll.

Considering the backlash against Baldoni, you're the only one blowing this off.

Backlash is fake. This is all PR and bots. Normal Americans are enjoying the holidays.

You aren't normal then, you are here with us in this forum

[Anonymous]

I don’t think the glaring hypocrisy in this lawsuit is going to ultimately bode well for Blake’s tone deaf image. Using sex to further and cement her career then complaining about sex in the workplace? Using high-powered PR firms to craft the narrative about her image and marriage and then complaining about PR campaigns being used against her?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think the glaring hypocrisy in this lawsuit is going to ultimately bode well for Blake’s tone deaf image. Using sex to further and cement her career then complaining about sex in the workplace? Using high-powered PR firms to craft the narrative about her image and marriage and then complaining about PR campaigns being used against her?

Not to mention she’s previously had brand’s fail so one failing now is likely not a result of these new developments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think the glaring hypocrisy in this lawsuit is going to ultimately bode well for Blake’s tone deaf image. Using sex to further and cement her career then complaining about sex in the workplace? Using high-powered PR firms to craft the narrative about her image and marriage and then complaining about PR campaigns being used against her?

What is your evidence she used sex? Someone else's smear campaign? A photo of her with Harvey? Conjecture?

Your assumption sounds no different than the tin foil hat conspiracy theorists of pizzagate, etc., in politics. It's also blatantly misogynistic. Stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess the irony is that someone who very clearly slept her way to the top is now outraged that someone is exploiting sex in their career.

None of her exaggerated complaints generate more than an eye roll.

Considering the backlash against Baldoni, you're the only one blowing this off.

Backlash is fake. This is all PR and bots. Normal Americans are enjoying the holidays.

Lol. Nothing to see here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think the glaring hypocrisy in this lawsuit is going to ultimately bode well for Blake’s tone deaf image. Using sex to further and cement her career then complaining about sex in the workplace? Using high-powered PR firms to craft the narrative about her image and marriage and then complaining about PR campaigns being used against her?

Not to mention she’s previously had brand’s fail so one failing now is likely not a result of these new developments.

Not likely. Ok! You are clearly one of the paid PR trolls. Game over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think the glaring hypocrisy in this lawsuit is going to ultimately bode well for Blake’s tone deaf image. Using sex to further and cement her career then complaining about sex in the workplace? Using high-powered PR firms to craft the narrative about her image and marriage and then complaining about PR campaigns being used against her?

Not to mention she’s previously had brand’s fail so one failing now is likely not a result of these new developments.

Not likely. Ok! You are clearly one of the paid PR trolls. Game over.

It is pretty obvious. FTC is coming for you, suggest stopping now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The narrative Blake seems desperate to change is that she’s talentless, tone deaf, and cruel and treats plebs poorly. And as we saw with Mrs Legend it’s difficult to hawk things like shampoo and pots and pans to proles when they all can’t stand you.

It seems all these aging washed up actresses and models want to create aspirational lifestyle brands like Selena Gomez and Jessica Alba to grift Wall Street billions. To do that you need to be very charismatic and likable, which is a struggle for some…

Just say you hate women. Are you a man who knows these women would never give you the time of day? Or are you just a woman insanely jealous of better looking richer women?

Blake, is that you?! Put the Aviation gin down and go play with your kids.

You are obviously one of Ms. Nathan's paid trolls.

"Ms. Nathan soon floated proposals to hire contractors to dominate social media through “full social account take downs,” by starting “threads of theories” and generally working to “change narrative.”

“All of this will be most importantly untraceable,” she wrote.

That PP is so obvious about it. Claims to know nothing about any of this then rattles off the smear campaign talking points.

You’re gaslighting. Look, most of the public, including me, has no freaking clue who that producer actor man is. Most of the public never saw this movie they were in together. And yet, most of the public simply dislikes Blake Lively. People can think for themselves. People trust their gut and instincts. She simply doesn’t seem like a nice person, she can’t act to save her life, and she’s been shoved in our faces for 20 years as this supposed it girl. It all feels extremely fake, like she benefitted from a lot of insider help. And this new scorched earth victim campaign pivot as she approaches 40 years old isn’t going to change anyone’s mind about her. Hollywood is a sleazy place and the public simply doesn’t care. In case you weren’t aware, normal Americans can’t afford groceries right now and their student loans have to be repaid. Nobody gives a damn about some filthy rich arrogant actress. And it obviously doesn’t help that she and her husband are also obnoxious common opportunists.

I think both of these things are true. It is clear a lot of people have problems with Blake just because of all the over exposure and things lately. But the smear campaign took advantage of this. I feel like they lit a match and people just piled on. But I think without them, it wouldn’t have been as bad. They’re definitely would’ve been backlash, I mean there was backlash against her even being cast in this role from the start. But it wouldn’t have been this bad.

DP. I honestly only care about the smear campaign because it turns out Baldoni was harassing Lively in set and creating a hostile work environment. If they'd merely had a mutually bad work relationship and Baldoni had pulled the same PR tricks, I wouldn't care because I do think the capitalized on true things about Lively -- she can be super entitled, she's not a particularly talented actress, her fame was largely the product of being one of "Harvey's girls."

But once I heard about the harassment allegations, my attitude changed. If Baldoni was behaving that way on set, and the smear campaign was designed to discredit Lively so no one would believe her, that's disgusting.

The PR stuff only matters because if the harassment. Without the harassment, the PR stuff is just part of the usual PR game in Hollywood.

For me it's also the way they talked about her. They hate her so bringing her down was really for their own enjoyment. Not to save Justin.

Plus they debated about which negative stores to plant. They didn't want anyone to find out about the fat shaming or sexual inappropriateness that happened on set. So they posted a bunch of crap about her being hard to work with. Meanwhile JB wanted to be the hero so asked them to only post things about him being a DV crusader. What a loser.

That's an extremely normal PR move (deciding to plant stories strategically in ways that will best position your client).

In terms of the PR folks, their error was in taking on a client who had done something as bad as what Baldoni had done on set. Though it's possible they didn't believe it or chose to believe the truth was more muddy. That's common in PR.

Most likely they were approached like this by Baldoni's team: "A famous actress and her Uber-famous husband are trying to smear Baldoni in the press and allege a bunch of harassment charges that they can't prove and didn't happen (or if they did happen are more understandable in context) and we need to fight back in the press by undermining the moral authority of the actress." If that's your brief, then what about what they did is wrong, exactly? Lively really did do that interview where she mean girl-ed the interviewer with Parker Posey. She really did benefit from having her career built by Harvey Weintstein and then stayed mum when all the allegations about him came out.

It's not like they planted fake stories. They reminded people of the least appealing things about Lively (relentlessly and using planted posters on sites like Reddit and maybe even DCUM).

People trying to make this about the PR people are missing the forrest for the trees. That's just how PR works and those people were just doing their jobs for a client who paid them money.

And it's only awful if Baldoni harassed Lively. If he didn't, this is just what people in Hollywood do for leverage and power, and Lively/Reynolds do the exact same stuff. This is just how the PR machine works. I'd love to see the texts and emails from Lively's PR team over the years. If you think this Baldoni stuff is bad, I guarantee you'd be horrified by that too.

So why are the PR people acting shocked and horrified? Eh, it was just business!

So you think the public reaction of PR professionals to this scandal is how they really feel and what they really believe? Hmmm.

If you feel manipulated by the PR campaign against Lively this summer, then imagine how you're going to feel when you realize that you are now falling prey to ANOTHER PR campaign, but this one intended to rehabilitate Lively's public image?

If the allegations against Baldoni are true regarding on-set behavior (and it seems like they likely are at this point, though I'm willing to wait until the full context is revealed in case there is something missing) then I hope he has to pay out and that he is never put in a position to do that to another actor.

But the response to learning that PR professionals are constantly crafting the narratives you encounter about public people, and that much of what you think you know or feel about those people is manufactured, should not be "oh well THIS time the PR people must be telling the truth." Time to learn some lessons here -- you cannot believe anything you hear in the media about celebrities (or most politicians). Judge people by their work and the behavior you can actually witness. These aren't your friends and you do not have the kind of relationship with them that would enable you to make moral judgments about any of them. Learn to detach.