Chicago reporter Jake Hamilton responds to the viral backlash over Blake Lively’s comments during a domestic violence-related interview for It Ends With Us. Lively later shared resources for survivors.
Bollywood Fever: Chicago-based reporter Jake Hamilton has responded to the viral clip from his interview with Blake Lively, addressing the backlash over her sarcastic reply to a question about domestic violence in her new film It Ends With Us.
The clip, which has gained widespread attention on TikTok, shows Hamilton asking Lively how she would advise fans who related to the film’s themes of domestic violence to approach her in public.
Lively, 36, who stars in the film, responded with a sarcastic quip about fans asking for her address or phone number.
Her answer has drawn criticism online, with many fans questioning her response to such a serious topic.
During a local Chicago news broadcast on Wednesday, August 14, Hamilton clarified that Lively did eventually answer the question more thoughtfully but noted that part of the interview had not gone viral.
“After she made those comments about my initial question, she did go on to answer the question,” Hamilton explained. “That part isn’t necessarily ending up in anyone’s viral TikTok videos, but it does just yield a bigger conversation of an actor who does press for a movie about such a serious topic. You gotta talk about it.”
Hamilton emphasized the importance of aligning the tone of interviews with the themes of the movie, saying,
“If you’re doing an interview for a movie about domestic violence, you shouldn’t be looking for that fun, funny viral moment. You gotta have a real honest conversation because it is something that affects people every single day.”
In the interview, which also included Lively’s costar Brandon Sklenar, Hamilton posed the question, asking how someone who relates to the film’s themes could approach Lively in public.
Lively responded by sarcastically suggesting fans could ask for her personal details or use location sharing, leaving Sklenar visibly puzzled.
Despite the backlash, Lively went on to speak more seriously about the themes of It Ends With Us, describing how the film offers empathy and inspiration to both survivors and those who haven’t experienced domestic violence.
She later addressed the controversy by sharing domestic violence resources on her Instagram Stories.
Lively posted, “Thank you to everyone who came out to show that people WANT to see films about women, and the multitudes we hold,” adding that It Ends With Us is a story of the “female experience” and its “highest highs and lowest lows.”
The It Ends With Us star’s follow-up highlights the significance of raising awareness about intimate partner violence and offering support to those in need.
If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
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