Entertainment reporter Kjersti Flaa has come forward with shocking allegations against Blake Lively, claiming a 2016 interview with the actress left her “traumatised”.
speaks to Page six on Monday, Flaa recalled the now-viral sit-down for the film Café Societywhere she says Gossip Girl star clapped back at her after being congratulated on her pregnancy.
According to Flaa, when she mentioned Lively’s “little bump,” the actress awkwardly replied, “Congratulations on your little bump,” despite the reporter not being pregnant.
The situation reportedly went from bad to worse when Flaa tried to shift the conversation towards the film’s period costumes.
Lively apparently took issue with the question, asking if male actors would be grilled about their clothes before turning to co-star Parker Posey to start a private conversation.
Flaa says she was left sitting in silence while the two actresses effectively ignored her, an experience she described as feeling like they were having a go at her.
“I was just in shock,” Flaa admitted, explaining that she felt unable to speak back or leave the room for fear of being blacklisted by powerful Hollywood publicists.
She pointed out the intense “power dynamics” at play during A-lister junkets, noting that journalists often have to accept poor treatment just to protect their future career prospects.
For Flaa, the frustration was heightened by being expected to take the high road while being treated with what she felt was open hostility.
The resumption of this interview comes amid a turbulent period for Lively, who recently settled a high-profile legal battle with her It ends with us co-star Justin Baldoni.
Flaa was actually subpoenaed as part of the case in which Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment, and he responded with a $400 million defamation countersuit.
Although the case was settled on Monday with no money changing hands, Flaa noted that she had been “looking forward to just poking holes in everything” if she had been called to testify.
In the end, the reporter feels that a simple apology from Lively over the years could have changed everything.
