In a candid conversation at the 2022 Forbes Power Women's Summit, actress Blake Lively openly discussed her career-long pursuit of creative control in film projects, months before the controversial production of "It Ends With Us."
The actress, known for her roles in "Gossip Girl" and "A Simple Favor," admitted to initially concealing her desire for broader creative involvement during early project meetings, only to later assert her interest in aspects beyond acting.
"When I was younger in my career, I would shape myself to the version they wanted," Lively explained during the summit. "I knew I was supposed to stand there and look cute and stand on a pink sticker... but that wasn't fulfilling for me."
The 37-year-old actress described how her approach evolved to seeking involvement in writing, costume design, and character development. While some filmmakers welcomed her expanded participation, others expressed resentment, viewing it as overstepping her contracted role as an actor.
"I wouldn't reveal that I needed to have authorship to feel fulfilled," Lively admitted, acknowledging that for some production teams, "it felt like a rug pull."
The interview has gained renewed attention amid recent reports of creative tensions on the set of "It Ends With Us," where Lively reportedly faced conflicts with co-star and director Justin Baldoni over creative control.
This revelation provides context to Lively's professional approach, highlighting a pattern of seeking greater creative influence throughout her career in Hollywood.