From Unknown to Unstoppable: Felisha Cooper’s Entire Career Launched by Blake Lively’s Mother—Hollywood’s Best-Kept Secret Finally Revealed!

She wasn’t discovered in an audition room or cast by an agent—Felisha Cooper owes her rise to Blake Lively’s mother! Why did she keep it quiet? And what’s the real story behind this secret Hollywood connection that’s rocked the industry?

Elaine Lively, Ernie Lively, and the Making of a Hollywood Legacy – Through Felicia Cooper’s Eyes

“Elaine Lively, Ernie Lively… got everybody. Wow. Should we call her mom?” That quip, half awe and half sarcasm, was made during a revealing interview on Flossom Talk, a podcast that prides itself on peeling back Hollywood’s glittery facade to reveal the complicated human stories underneath. Hosted by Shash Flo, the show recently featured actress Felicia Cooper, whose encounter with the Lively family became an unlikely launchpad for her acting career. What followed was not just an entertaining conversation—it was a full-on Hollywood exposé, complete with serendipitous discovery, backstage tensions, and powerful truths.

From Cheesecake Factory to Casting Calls: The Lively Discovery

Felicia Cooper’s story begins humbly, waiting tables at the Cheesecake Factory in Glendale. It was her third day on the job when Elaine Lively—mother of actress Blake Lively—and her husband Ernie Lively, walked in and changed her life. Elaine saw something in Felicia that others might’ve missed: “There is a magic in your eyes,” she said before handing over a business card. That chance encounter sparked a mentorship and working relationship that introduced Felicia into the Lively inner circle.

Elaine, once a talent manager, became Felicia’s first manager, even helping her land her first agent. The Lively family opened doors for her—Blake’s sisters Robin and Lori coached her in acting, and the actress was soon navigating real roles in TV and film. For Felicia, this mentorship meant everything. Elaine was never harsh, never rude, always a nurturing, supportive figure—even if, as Felicia recounts, sometimes a little too enthusiastic in molding her protégée’s image after her famous daughter.

The Golden Aura Cracks: Meeting Blake Lively

The fairytale shimmered—until Blake Lively entered the picture.

Felicia’s account of meeting Blake is sobering. On a busy Thursday night at the Cheesecake Factory, Blake brushed past her with a dismissive gesture, refusing eye contact and leaving her mother visibly embarrassed. This moment revealed a deeper contrast between the kindness of Elaine and the aloof, allegedly arrogant demeanor of her daughter.

According to Felicia, the tension extended beyond that night. Blake’s erratic behavior often disrupted the flow of Felicia’s coaching sessions with Robin, even leading to a botched audition for a lead role. “She was crying about something ridiculous like shoes,” Felicia recalls, illustrating how trivial distractions from Blake had professional consequences for others.

A Family Fractured: Inside the Lively Clan

Through her years of association, Felicia gained a rare insider view of the Lively family. She describes Elaine as a survivor, having fled an abusive first marriage—an ordeal that inspired her to change her last name to “Lively” and begin anew with Ernie. The couple’s love seemed to embody a second chance, and their openness in mentoring talents like Felicia reflected that resilience.

Interestingly, Felicia’s connection wasn’t just limited to the matriarch. She also trained under Blake’s lesser-known sister Lori, who she calls “the realest of the bunch.” In contrast to Blake’s Hollywood polish, Lori was down-to-earth and no-nonsense.

Despite being surrounded by grounded, supportive relatives, Felicia—and many others—found Blake to be an anomaly. Her disdain wasn’t isolated to just Felicia. “She just treats people that way,” Felicia says bluntly. And this behavior, as others corroborated, seemed habitual—not situational.

The Wider Problem: Hollywood Hypocrisy

The interview doesn’t stop with the Lively family. Felicia goes on to name other encounters in Hollywood that exposed the industry’s double standards and abuses. One particularly harrowing story involves actor Isaiah Washington, who she alleges physically assaulted her in a hotel lobby during filming in Atlanta. Even more disturbing, she claims the incident was reported but ultimately brushed aside. “I had a handprint on my thigh and my ass from where he struck me,” she revealed, pointing to a deeply rooted problem: selective accountability.

Elizabeth Banks is another name she mentions, not for violence, but for cruelty. Despite Felicia’s admiration after seeing her in Catching Fire, Elizabeth allegedly dismissed her with cold arrogance during a catered party. These experiences echo a larger pattern: Hollywood’s power structures too often excuse the mistreatment of those seen as “lesser.”

Glimmers of Good: Zendaya, Peter Stormare, and Hope

Yet, not all in Hollywood are lost causes. Felicia’s memories include warmth too—like working on Swedish Dicks, her favorite role to date, where she formed a lasting friendship with Peter Stormare, who still calls her “daughter.” Her recollection of Zendaya’s kindness during a restaurant visit with her family also stands out. Zendaya not only stood to greet Felicia but treated everyone in her party with warmth and respect. It was a reminder that humility and fame can coexist.

Hollywood Needs More Felicias

In a world where so many walk on eggshells, Felicia Cooper is a rare breed. Her interview wasn’t just a gossip-laden tell-all—it was a courageous act of truth-telling from someone who has seen Hollywood from both the outside and the inside. She balances brutal honesty with grace, and she never paints herself as a victim, only a witness with a voice.

Felicia’s story is an invitation to reevaluate the way we idolize stars and overlook those who keep the industry running—waitresses, assistants, barbacks, and background actors. It’s also a reminder that talent can come from anywhere, even a Cheesecake Factory floor, and that kindness isn’t a commodity that only the powerful deserve to show.

Final Thoughts

The Lively name might conjure images of Gossip Girl glitz and glamorous red carpets, but Felicia Cooper’s experience reminds us there’s more beneath the surface. Elaine Lively may have lived up to her luminous surname, but Blake, dubbed “Fake Lively” by some, appears to represent a cautionary tale about unchecked ego and fame.

Felicia Cooper, on the other hand, is writing a different Hollywood story—one of resilience, honesty, and hope. And maybe, just maybe, she’s helping Hollywood remember how to be human again.

To follow Felicia Cooper and support her journey, find her on Instagram: @FelishaCooper.
Listen to the full Flossom Talk podcast with Shash Flo on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts.

Blake Lively may have the spotlight, but it’s clear Felicia Cooper has the heart—and the last word.