Kjersti Flaa, a journalist whose previous interview with Blake Lively went viral due to its perceived awkwardness, has vehemently denied any involvement in an alleged smear campaign against the actress orchestrated by Justin Baldoni, Lively’s co-star and director in the film “It Ends With Us.” Flaa’s denial comes in response to a lawsuit filed by Lively accusing Baldoni of orchestrating a campaign to damage her reputation. Flaa’s earlier video, titled “The Blake Lively interview that made me want to quit my job,” resurfaced amidst the controversy, leading to speculation about her potential connection to the alleged smear campaign. Flaa insists her video, which highlighted a tense exchange between her and Lively during a press junket for the 2016 film “Café Society,” was unrelated to Baldoni’s actions and was posted solely based on her personal negative experience with Lively.
Flaa took to social media platforms, including Instagram and YouTube, to address the swirling rumors and accusations. She expressed shock and disgust at the alleged actions of Baldoni’s PR team, as detailed in Lively’s lawsuit, emphasizing her refusal to participate in such unethical practices. Flaa vehemently denied accepting any payment or collaborating with Baldoni’s team to contribute to the smear campaign, calling such accusations an insult to her professional integrity. She reiterated her unfamiliarity with Baldoni prior to the “It Ends With Us” film and emphasized her lack of sympathy for any of the individuals involved in the controversy.
Central to the controversy is Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni, which alleges a concerted effort to manipulate social media and public perception to damage her reputation. The lawsuit cites text message exchanges between Baldoni’s PR team, allegedly discussing strategies to portray Lively negatively. The timing of Flaa’s video re-emergence, coinciding with the lawsuit’s revelations, fueled speculation about a potential link between Flaa and Baldoni’s team. However, Flaa maintains that her decision to repost the video was based solely on her personal experience with Lively and was unrelated to the ongoing legal battle.
Flaa’s original interview with Lively, which took place during the “Café Society” press tour, centered on what Flaa considered a sensitive question about Lively’s pregnancy and period costumes in the film. Lively’s perceived reaction to the question led to an awkward exchange, which Flaa later highlighted in her video. Flaa asserts that the video, while critical of Lively’s demeanor during the interview, was not intended to be malicious and merely reflected her own perspective as a journalist. She maintains that the video’s resurfacing amidst the Lively-Baldoni lawsuit was purely coincidental.
Flaa’s emphatic denials underscore the complexity of the situation and the potential for misinterpretation in the digital age. The confluence of her critical video, Lively’s lawsuit, and the alleged machinations of Baldoni’s PR team created a breeding ground for conspiracy theories. Flaa’s public statements aim to clarify her position and distance herself from the controversy, emphasizing her commitment to journalistic integrity and her refusal to engage in unethical practices. She argues that her criticism of Lively, while potentially contributing to the overall negative narrative surrounding the actress, stemmed from a genuine professional experience and was not part of a coordinated smear campaign.
The ongoing legal battle between Lively and Baldoni promises to shed more light on the alleged smear campaign and the extent of Baldoni’s team’s involvement. Flaa, while caught in the crossfire, maintains her innocence and distances herself from the controversy, emphasizing her commitment to ethical journalism and her refusal to be used as a pawn in a personal dispute between Hollywood figures. Her public statements serve as a reminder of the potential for misinterpretation and the importance of verifying information before drawing conclusions in the fast-paced world of online discourse.
