Blake Lively finds herself in the midst of controversy, issuing apologies for recent remarks that appeared to target Princess Catherine.
This has sparked a rift between Meghan Markle and the WME agency. Lively, who has been represented by WME since 2013, faced backlash from fans after endorsing a drinks range on March 13th. In a photo shared on social media, she appeared to mock the photo editing controversy surrounding a family picture of Princess Catherine.
Last week, the Gossip Girl alum promoted Betty Buzz, her sparkling mixer company, seemingly poking fun at the editing debacle surrounding Catherine's Mother's Day photo, which the Royal acknowledged altering.
The situation intensified when Catherine announced her cancer diagnosis and began chemotherapy treatment. Public figures, including Lively, responded to the news. The 36-year-old actress took to her Instagram stories to express regret, acknowledging her earlier post's insensitivity.
Amidst criticism, fans pointed out perceived hypocrisy, citing Lively's prior secrecy regarding her children's names and genders while seemingly criticizing Catherine's desire for privacy. However, sources suggest that Lively's actions were influenced by WME, who are entangled in a PR battle with Meghan Markle. Allegedly, WME, driven by financial ties to Markle, urged Lively to apologize, causing tension between the agency and the Duchess.
Lively was not alone in making light of Catherine's situation. Several celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Andy Cohen, and John Oliver, made jests about Catherine's absence from the public eye. Kardashian, in a post beside a sports car, alluded to speculations about Catherine's whereabouts, igniting fury among followers. Criticism intensified when it was revealed that Catherine was undergoing cancer treatment, prompting calls for Kardashian to retract her post and issue an apology. However, Kardashian, reportedly aligned with Meghan Markle, refrained from removing the post, fearing backlash from Markle.
Despite the backlash, Kardashian's post remains live, unedited, and criticized for insensitivity. Prior to Catherine's cancer diagnosis, Kardashian had faced criticism for fueling speculation about Catherine's activities following abdominal surgery. However, her allegiance to Meghan Markle has seemingly influenced her decision not to apologize or retract the post, avoiding potential conflict with Markle.
