Blake Lively is yet to apologize to interviewer for rude comments despite backlash over viral chat
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kjersti Flaa, the journalist behind a controversial 2016 interview with Blake Lively, now wants an apology from the actress following the interview's resurgence online, as reported by Page Six.
The clip, which has garnered over 2.3 million views on YouTube, showcases a tense interaction between Flaa and Lively, who was then pregnant and sarcastically responded to Flaa's comment about her "little bump".
Kjersti Flaa wants apology from Blake Lively for harsh comment during interview
Kjersti Flaa, now 51, told TMZ that while she would welcome an apology from Lively, she doubts it will happen.
“If she wants to apologize, that would be amazing,” she said. “I think if you behave badly, if you own up to that and own it and say, ‘I had a terrible day, I’m so sorry.’ Maybe she will learn something from that and not behave like that again. Of course, that would be very welcomed.”
“I don’t think that will happen though,” she added. “I don’t.”
Flaa, who initially hesitated to release the interview footage due to embarrassment, clarified that the timing of the video’s upload was a coincidence and not intended to coincide with the current controversy surrounding Lively’s film, 'It Ends With Us'.
The film deals with sensitive issues like domestic violence. Lively has faced criticism for her perceived insensitivity during the movie's promotional activities, including tie-ins with her haircare line. Critics have argued that the actress's promotional strategies, including a themed cocktail named after an abusive character from the film, have been tone-deaf in light of the film’s serious subject matter.
Rumors also swirl about her creative differences with her co-star Justin Baldoni, who is also the director of the movie.
Flaa explained that she decided to post the video, filmed eight years earlier, after meeting another journalist who had faced a comparable situation with a different celebrity, where the interview footage was later seized.
“No, I’ve never had my tape confiscated, but, of course, I’ve had very unpleasant experiences,” she said.
“I felt a little ashamed at first,” she explained, noting that she was uncertain about what she might have said or done to provoke the reactions from Lively and her 'Cafe Society' co-star Parker Posey, who was also part of the interview.
The reporter explained her decision to share the clip now by saying, “I think it’s important to let people know that these things go on sometime.”
The interview appeared to begin on a sour note when Flaa praised the actress for her pregnancy and her “little bump". In response, Lively remarked with sarcasm, “Congrats on your little bump.”
Before the interview, which likely occurred around the film’s release in July, the then 28-year-old actress had revealed in May that she was expecting her second child with husband Ryan Reynolds.
In a conversation with TMZ, Flaa expressed her confusion over why Lively was upset by her comment.
“I find it offensive that she said it back to me to be honest,” she said. “I was like, do I have a bump? It was strange behaviour to me.”
In an earlier interview with The Daily Mail, Flaa revealed that Lively's comments were particularly painful for her due to her own struggles with infertility.
“To be honest, it hurts because I obviously wasn’t pregnant and I could never get pregnant,” she said. “So to me, that comment was like a bullet.”
Blake Lively’s ‘little bump’ comment draws criticism online
Blake Lively continues to face criticism for her sarcastic remark to Kjersti Flaa during the 2016 interview.
Social media users are defending Flaa, expressing sympathy for her situation. One user remarked, “Interviewer can't have kids ... I think Blake was cruel.”
Another added, “The silence from Posey and Lively is pretty deafening at this point. They owe her an apology.”
Critics have also taken aim at Lively's professionalism, “Shameless BL has a hard head it seems,” a user commented.
“She can’t put the Genie back in the bottle. BL is proving that she lacks professionalism, respect for others, class, dignity & common decency," said another.
"The interviewer is 100 percent correct. And she is still being 100 percent classy and respectful. The silence from Posey and Lively is pretty deafening at this point. They made a public showing of their behavior for a reason. They know how this all works. An apology should have been made by now and it is not going to kill them. I don't agree with cancel culture, but I totally stand behind these self obsessed celebs being put in their place," a user wrote.
"I hate the mean girl attitude. Several people have mentioned this lately, and I don't believe in conspiracies," another user commented.
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