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Reese Witherspoon’s Resurfaced Jab at Blake Lively Sparks Controversy
Amidst Blake Lively’s ongoing legal battle with It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni, a past remark made by Reese Witherspoon has resurfaced, fueling speculation about a potential feud. The controversy involves a perceived dig at Lively during the 2011 MTV Movie Awards, adding another layer to the current drama surrounding Lively and the Justin Baldoni lawsuit.
The 2011 MTV Movie Awards Incident
A now-viral video clip shows Witherspoon, then 49, seemingly alluding to Lively’s 2011 nude photo controversy while accepting the MTV Generation Award. The awards ceremony took place shortly after alleged nude photos of Lively, 37, surfaced online.
At the time, a representative for Lively firmly stated that the images were “100 percent fake” and that Lively had “never taken nude photos of herself.”
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Witherspoon’s Speech & Public Reaction
During her acceptance speech, Witherspoon touched on the topic of “bad girls” in Hollywood, with many interpreting her words as a veiled critique of Lively.
“I get it, girls, that it’s cool to be a bad girl. But it is possible to make it in Hollywood without doing a reality show,” Witherspoon stated.
She further added, “When I came up in this business, if you made a sex tape, you were embarrassed and you hid it under your bed. And if you took naked pictures of yourself on your cell phone, you hide your face, people.”
Viewers widely believed that Witherspoon was referencing both Lively and Kim Kardashian, whose 2007 sex tape propelled her to fame.
However, a representative for Witherspoon countered these claims, telling Us Weekly that the actress “was absolutely not referencing Blake Lively” in her speech.
Feud Rumors and Taylor Swift Project
Despite never having collaborated professionally, Lively and Witherspoon have been the subject of unsubstantiated rumors of a “feud” in recent years.
- Last year, reports suggested that the two actresses were vying to produce pop star Taylor Swift’s directorial debut, a project confirmed by Searchlight Pictures in 2022.
- A source told Life&Style that “Blake Lively and Reese Witherspoon both want this job and both of them have deep ties to Taylor.”
- While Swift is “close personally to Blake,” Witherspoon is “far more experienced at producing movies” and previously worked with Swift on Where the Crawdads Sing (2022).
Controversy Surrounding Time 100 Inclusion
The resurfaced Witherspoon clip coincides with growing criticism of Lively’s inclusion in the Time 100 list of the Most Influential People of 2025.
- She was categorized in the “Titans” section, alongside figures like Serena Williams, Mark Zuckerberg, and Joe Rogan.
- This recognition occurs amidst Lively’s legal challenges with Baldoni, where she alleges sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us and accuses him of a “smear campaign.”
Baldoni’s Defamation Lawsuit
Baldoni, denying the allegations, has responded by filing a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane.
- He also initiated a $250 million libel lawsuit against the New York Times for its reporting on Lively’s claims.
- All parties involved have refuted the accusations.
Currently, Lively and Reynolds are seeking to dismiss Baldoni’s lawsuit, labeling it “retaliatory.”
Sherrilyn Ifill’s Tribute and Public Backlash
Lively’s tribute in the magazine was penned by civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill, former head of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, to which Lively and Reynolds donated $1 million in 2019.
The donation followed criticism of the couple’s 2012 wedding, which took place on a former slave plantation in South Carolina a matter Reynolds has since apologized for.
News of Lively’s inclusion on the Time list triggered widespread condemnation on social media.
Social Media Reactions
Users expressed outrage and skepticism, questioning the motivations behind the recognition.
- One user wrote “You pretty screwed yourself @TIME adding Blake Lively for something she did in 2019 to save face from having her wedding at a plantation! It is clear to everyone to get on these list you just have to pay a price! @TIME you have NO credibility!”
- Another user stated “The fact that Blake Lively made the Time 100 list is disgusting! She & Ryan Reynolds NEVER supported the black community before. Until it was known that they married on a slave plantation! How much did they pay for that article?”
Other reactions included accusations of pay-to-play and doubts about the list’s integrity. Some suggested Lively should settle her legal issues with Baldoni, while others dismissed the recognition as a PR stunt.
Lively’s Response to the Controversy
Amidst the controversy, Lively acknowledged the Time 100 recognition, stating that it was “an honor.”
She also praised Sherrilyn Ifill, saying “to be written about by the great Sherrilyn Ifill was not something” she takes lightly.
“Her work has shaped our nation… WHO SHE IS – as a human, woman, mother, leader, fighter, healer, empath, risk taker and dream maker – has shaped my heart and also my stamina to never stop believing in a future that’s better and safer for everyone,” Lively said.
Ifill’s Defense of Lively
In her testimonial, Ifill described Lively as a “philanthropist” and “serious person” dedicated to positive change.
- “I don’t know the Blake Lively of the red carpet. Or the Met Gala. I never watched Gossip Girl,” wrote Ifill. “The Blake Lively I know is a philanthropist and a student of our country’s most intractable problems.”
- Ifill added that Lively’s “commitment to filling those gaps—and becoming the most fully informed and prepared citizen – is what I appreciate most about her. Blake is a serious person. She’s a risk taker. And she’s committed to moving this country forward. For her children. And for mine.”
Dailymail.com has reached out to Ifill for further comment on her endorsement of Lively amid the ongoing litigation, which has made headlines throughout 2025.
Lively’s Instagram Post
Lively subsequently expressed her gratitude on Instagram, reflecting on the honor and the importance of having a voice.
“I’m able to see this moment, almost looking back from the future, or looking ahead from childhood,” she said, “and from every time period I can see how profound this is to me. Not just to be included, but to have a voice.”