An old interview with actress Blake Lively that resurfaced in 2016 went viral, fueling debate about the way celebrities should handle members of the press.
The video, in which Lively has a tense back-and-forth with Norwegian journalist Kjersti Flaa, has reignited the debate about professionalism, sensitivity, and gender dynamics among entertainment interviews.
The interview started on a seemingly lighthearted note when Flaa congratulated Lively on her pregnancy and pointed to a large “baby bump.” Blake Lively was quicker, though, to fire back with a sarcastic, “Congratulations on your little bump,” and the tone of the interview quickly changed.
The exchange, albeit brief, initiated an uncomfortable atmosphere that lasted the duration of the interview. Things took a further turn when Flaa asked about the film’s costumes, a typical question in publicity interviews.
The actress took issue with the assumption, querying whether a male actor would be asked the same. In spite of the interviewer explaining politely that she would be asking men the same questions, Lively seemed scornful and turned her attention entirely to co-star Parker Posey, essentially excluding Flaa from the conversation.
Social media platforms later picked up the clip, and opinions were divided among viewers. Some criticized Lively as being rude and overly hostile during what appeared to be a standard press junket.
As per the response, strolling around, Interviewers, particularly women, are usually unfairly treated by celebrities who sometimes forget that such promotional interactions are not one-way.
Others came to the defense of Lively, speculating that she may have been irritated by incessant or superficial questions, or maybe she was having a bad day. Some commenters also pointed out that celebrities are consistently asked intrusive or gendered questions, which understandably foster resistance over time.
