Blake Lively has faced criticism from fans after her husband, Ryan Reynolds, referred to her as coming from a “working-class” background in a recent interview. Lively, 37, who comes from a family of actors and has been labeled a “nepo baby” by some, was mentioned by Reynolds, 48, during a discussion about their approach to parenting their four children.
In the interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Reynolds shared how he and Lively strive to give their children—James, 10, Inez, eight, Betty, five, and Olin, one—a “regular” upbringing, despite their high-profile careers. However, the comment about Lively’s background raised eyebrows, as many felt it didn’t align with her family’s Hollywood roots and her own successful career in the industry.
Ryan Reynolds’ comment about growing up “working class” alongside his wife Blake Lively has sparked backlash from fans, who called the statement “ignorant.” During an interview, Reynolds explained that he and Lively strive to give their children a “normal” upbringing despite their fame. He also recalled reflecting on the luxuries his kids have, saying, “I would never have had a gift like this when I was a kid” and “I never would’ve had this luxury of getting takeout.”
However, fans quickly took issue with the claim, pointing out that Lively comes from a family of Hollywood veterans—her father is actor Ernie Lively—and was raised in the affluent Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles. Many felt the comment overlooked Lively’s privileged background and her own rise to fame in the entertainment industry, with some calling it out as tone-deaf or out of touch.
Blake Lively’s background has come under scrutiny after Ryan Reynolds’ comment about their “working class” upbringing. Lively, the daughter of actor and director Ernie Lively and actress/talent manager Elaine Lively, was raised in the affluent Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles. She made her acting debut at age 10, starring in her father’s 1998 film Sandman, and grew up on film sets. She attended Burbank High School, where she was involved in cheerleading, choir, and student government, and her family is well established in the entertainment industry.
Lively’s rise to fame began with her role in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants at age 16, after being introduced to acting through her older brother, who worked as a talent agent. Fans quickly reacted to Reynolds’ “working class” claim after The Cut reposted his interview, pointing out the discrepancy between Lively’s background and his statement. One critic wrote, “Quick search: She grew up in Tarzana and then went to Burbank High. Her whole family was in the entertainment business.” Another user quipped, “You keep using that word, ‘working class.’ I do not think it means what you think it means.”
The backlash against Ryan Reynolds’ comment about Blake Lively’s “working class” background continued, with many fans pointing out the disparity between their claims and their actual affluent upbringings. One user referenced their 2012 wedding at Boone Hall Plantation, sarcastically adding, “Working class people don’t get married on plantaaaaations.” Others argued that just because her parents worked in the entertainment industry, it didn’t make her “working class.”
The controversy also sparked comparisons to Victoria Beckham’s similar claim in the 2023 Beckham documentary, where she described her background as “working class,” only for her husband, David Beckham, to humorously challenge her by saying, “Be honest.” Fans pointed out that Beckham’s father owned a Rolls-Royce, and many felt that both Blake and Victoria’s portrayals of humble beginnings were inaccurate.
One fan summed it up by quoting Sex and the City, saying, “Charlotte, we don’t say things like working class anymore.” Another added, “More and more I’m learning that rich people say ‘working class’ when they mean ‘had a salary.'” The situation has left fans frustrated, with many declaring, “Stop trying to make Relatable Blake happen, it’s NOT going to happen.”
