Blake Lively's Betty Booze Blunder
Nothing like using DV to promote your alcohol brand.
Whoa.
I’m finally coming up for air after my super deep dive of the Blake Lively-Colleen Hoover-Justin Baldoni-It Ends with Us drama, and I need to talk about it.
First, let me start by sharing that I haven’t read a word of It Ends with Us, and I haven’t seen the movie based on the book. Actually, I haven’t read any of Colleen Hoover’s books. My time is precious (as evidenced by the 1.5 hours I spent on the drama deep dive this morning), and her books just aren’t my jam. I’m not hating on her books, but….well, yeah. I’m not going to read them.
There was already pushback on Hoover’s novel prior to the current movie brouhaha. Some readers claim that Hoover romanticizes domestic violence. I can’t comment on that, because, well, you know.
I’ve taken a lukewarm interest in the publicity storm surrounding the film’s premiere and subsequent press tour. My love for all things pop culture runs deep and I always have my finger, if not on the pulse of pop culture, then right next to it.
OK, another thing I need to tell you: I’ve never been a huge Blake Lively fan. I’ve never watched one episode of Gossip Girl, and I actually walked out of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. (Fun-ish Fact: I’ve walked out of two movies: TSOTTP and Powder.) She’s always given me the mean-girl, head cheerleader vibe and I try to keep far away from those girls.
A Celebrity Sucks? GASP.
I’m not surprised AT ALL when an A-list celebrity sucks. I’m pretty certain they almost all suck. (Oh, and all the men are about 6 inches shorter than you want them to be.)
It’s close to impossible to have that much attention and remain likeable and grounded, no matter how hard their PR team has worked overtime into fooling you into believing they are.
If something or someone seems too good to be true…yeah. Yep.
If one thing has been made clear over the past 5 days, it’s that Blake Lively sucks. And when she’s left to her own devices to answer questions and engage in conversation with a normal, non-Taylor Swift person, she can no longer hide that fact.
It’s also clear this whole thing is a battle of PR companies, and so far Justin’s team is winning.
Blake hasn’t made it hard, though.
She’s been completely tone deaf this entire press tour - from her “Grab your girls, wear your florals” vibe to completely sidestepping questions about the film’s portrayal of domestic violence. Not to mention, her flippant, sarcastic response to an interviewer when asked how fans should approach her if they’ve been touched by the film. Gross.
Meanwhile, Justin Baldoni, who directs and acts opposite Blake in the film, has continually taken the opportunity to shine a light on DV victims and share resources to help women break free.
And I thought it couldn’t get worse. Silly me.
Photo: Courtesy of Betty Booze
My interest turned red hot after I watched this TikTok breakdown this morning. (It’s worth watching the entire thing.)
There’s a lot to unpack, and I’m not going to tackle it all here. What really grinds my gears, though? (I apologize for using such strong language.) Blake Never-Not-Promoting Lively chose to use the film’s after party as the perfect time to promote her alcohol line, Betty Booze and her mixers, Betty Buzz.
Not only that, she created special cocktails for the special occasion. One is called Ryle You Wait, named after the film’s abuser:
Ryle You Wait - Bourbon, Betty Buzz Ginger Beer, Apple Cider, Cardomom Bitters, Cinnamon, Apple Florette Garnish.
Exactly how insane, dangerous and tone deaf is Blake’s latest promotional cash grab?
Let’s talk about alcohol and domestic violence.
According to a study published in the online journal PLOS-Medicine, men dependent on alcohol or drugs are 6 or 7 times more likely to be involved in domestic abuse against women than others. (BBC)
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that roughly 55% of domestic abuse perpetrators were drinking alcohol prior to assault.
Women who have been abused are 15 times more likely to abuse alcohol and 9 times more likely to abuse drugs than those without a history of abuse.
Oh!
And don’t forget she has long since been touted as one of our beloved sober celebrities.
At this point, I trust Blake Lively as far as Justin Baldoni can throw her (with his bad back).
Your pop culture deep dives give me life!! 👏🏼🙌🏼 thanks for this - I knew I wasn’t understanding the full picture! I can’t figure out if a few of these “sober” celebrities will ever look at the full picture of what they promote or just the bottom line? So inauthentic.
I always thiught it was weird she introduced Betty Booze, Blake doesn't drink but she is happy to make money on alcohol. The add about naming one of the drinks after the abuser is mind blowing.