Blake Lively’s reputation has become a hot topic recently, with director Paul Feig and Amber Heard’s lawyer, Elaine Bredehoft, stepping into the conversation on her behalf. However, rather than offering full support, both figures have stirred up controversy, especially Bredehoft, known for defending Heard during the infamous Depp-Heard trial.

Feig, a director best known for Ghostbusters (2016), has praised Lively as a “dream to work with,” calling her an amazing collaborator. The director’s comments come ahead of the release of A Simple Favor 2, which is expected to debut at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025. Despite their strong working relationship, many suspect Feig’s defense of Lively is tied to his vested interest in the success of his upcoming film. After all, promoting Lively as an ideal collaborator can only help his movie’s image. Feig responded to questions on social media, assuring fans that he holds “the only cut” of the film, reinforcing Lively’s professionalism.

However, the situation took a turn when Bredehoft, who garnered attention for her controversial defense of Amber Heard, began defending Lively as well. Her involvement has left many scratching their heads, considering her high-profile history with Heard. Bredehoft, in her usual fashion, attempted to draw parallels between Lively’s situation and Heard’s, claiming that public relations firms were behind spreading false stories to harm Lively’s image. She even suggested that retaliation from Lively’s team was responsible for the harm done to the actress’s reputation.

The statements from Bredehoft have been widely criticized, with many pointing out her flawed reasoning and factual inaccuracies. Critics, including legal experts, have refuted her claims about anti-SLAPP litigation, clarifying that Bredehoft’s argument about the federal court and the New York court was incorrect.

In the face of these controversies, many social media users have ridiculed the idea of comparing Lively to Heard. It’s clear that Lively, who has largely remained private regarding her personal life, does not want to be linked to the toxic drama surrounding Heard. Her fans have expressed dismay at the idea of associating her name with such negativity.

Despite this, Feig’s defense of Lively has been more well-received, even if it’s suspected that he’s motivated by the need for a successful film. As for Bredehoft, her defense has backfired, making many question her motives and her role in the situation.

While Lively has yet to publicly comment on these defenders, it seems the backlash from Bredehoft’s involvement may only serve to make matters worse for the actress. With the movie industry’s eyes on her upcoming projects, Blake Lively’s next steps remain to be seen—though many hope that her personal and professional reputation can be separated from these controversial figures moving forward.

In the meantime, fans and media alike will continue to scrutinize the complicated web of celebrity defenses, all while Lively’s career hangs in the balance.