The reporter who is at the center of a media storm over her resurfaced interview with Blake Lively has spoken to Newsweek about her ordeal.
Norwegian-born journalist Kjersti Flaa fears being “blacklisted” by some in Hollywood after sharing a 2016 interview she conducted with Lively that has since gone viral. Flaa posted the interview to YouTube on August 10, as the actress faced backlash during her promotional campaign for her latest film. It ends with us.
In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, Flaa talked about the reactions to her video and her fears for her career.
“It’s actually been pretty overwhelming. I’ve received so much support from people (and) also from people in the industry who have told me about similar experiences they’ve had working with celebrities,” Flaa said. “I’ve been surprised by the kindness that people have shown me. I never expected anything like this.”
Newsweek has emailed Lively representatives for comment.
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images, Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Lively has come under criticism for her promotion of the film. It ends with uswhich is based on the novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover. The story is about a married woman who experiences domestic violence in her relationship.
The actress has faced criticism from people who say she marketed the film as a “girls’ night flick” from the start rather than reflecting its serious subject matter. The star has been criticized for using the film’s marketing campaign to promote her various businesses, including her new hair care line Blake Brown and her liquor brand Betty Booze.
Flaa’s interaction with Lively in 2016 took place when the actor was promoting the Woody Allen film Café Society with co-star Parker Posey. Lively recently announced that she is expecting her second child with her husband Ryan Reynolds.
The veteran entertainment reporter, who has interviewed a number of Hollywood stars, congratulated Lively on her “little belly.” The actress responded by congratulating Flaa on her “little belly,” even though Flaa was not pregnant. Posey then shared her thoughts by referring to her own butt and breasts as “bumps,” as Lively looked on in amusement.
Lively mocked Flaa for asking her questions about the period costumes she wore in the 1930s-set film and asked if she would ask her male co-stars the same question, to which the reporter replied, “I would.”
Flaa recently shared her interview with Lively on social media, where it quickly went viral and made headlines around the world. Despite the attention it garnered, however, Flaa said she hasn’t heard from the actress or her team. “I don’t think they’re going to hear anything,” she said.
Although the reporter does not regret publishing the video, at least “not yet,” she stands by her decision.
“I was nervous about making it public, but I’m glad I did. I think it’s important to call out bad behavior. Maybe it can prevent it from happening again. That would be great,” she said. Newsweekbut said she feared for her career.
“I think some people in the industry are going to blacklist me. That’s for sure,” Flaa said, admitting that her experience with Lively changed her attitude toward working with celebrities.
“It was like that for a while because it made me so nervous, but now a few years have passed and I’ve regained my confidence.”
