Being in the spotlight has its ups and downs, as Blake Lively knows all too well. Usually known for her playful social media banter with husband Ryan Reynolds and fun times with bestie Taylor Swift, the Gossip Girl star is now dealing with some major PR pitfalls while promoting her film It Ends With Us. This movie, which tackles the sensitive topic of domestic violence, was supposed to be a big career moment for her. Instead, it’s turned into a bit of a mess.

Lively’s efforts to connect with audiences during the press tour have been overshadowed by a series of missteps and resurfaced interviews that make her look like anything but a girl’s girl. From trivializing serious questions about domestic violence to making a controversial joke to a reporter with fertility issues, her recent public appearances have sparked backlash. The situation was further complicated by tensions with co-star Justin Baldoni, with insiders alleging that creative disagreements led to a strained atmosphere on set.

Adding fuel to the fire, revelations emerged that Reynolds reportedly rewrote a crucial scene in It Ends With Us. This unexpected twist came to light during a red carpet interview, to the surprise of the screenwriter and other members of the film’s crew. Reynolds’ involvement, initially intended as a supportive gesture for Lively, inadvertently intensified the scrutiny surrounding her. The move also has people wondering if his rewrite, which happened during the writer’s strike, makes Reynolds a scab.

Moreover, this isn’t the first time the couple has faced public backlash. Back in 2020, Ryan Reynolds expressed deep regret over their choice of wedding venue— a plantation — saying, “It’s something we’ll always be deeply and unreservedly sorry for. It’s impossible to reconcile. What we saw at the time was a wedding venue on Pinterest. What we saw after was a place built upon devastating tragedy.” While fans seemed to (mostly) accept the apology, others saw it as one of the many red flags for this couple, who is reportedly ready to do whatever it takes to accomplish their goals in Hollywood.

Still, among this PR storm, Reynolds is reportedly stepping up to help his wife navigate these choppy waters. Known for his successful business ventures and branding savvy — like reviving the Welsh football club Wrexham AFC, holding a significant stake in Mint Mobile, and starring in the summer blockbuster “Deadpool versus Wolverine” — Reynolds has a knack for turning challenges into opportunities. “Ryan is deeply invested in helping Blake navigate this situation,” a source close to the couple told Life & Style.

Reynolds’ branding prowess is a potential lifeline for Lively as she seeks to reframe her public image. “With his keen eye for branding and his ability to turn any situation into a winning moment, Ryan is working closely with Blake’s team to reframe her public image in light of these troubling allegations!” the source adds. Lively is aware of the urgency, with comparisons to Ellen DeGeneres’ fall from grace already circulating. DeGeneres faced a massive scandal in 2022 over workplace toxicity, leading to a break from her talk show.

“Blake is aware she needs to act fast,” the insider added. The stakes are high, and for Lively, having Reynolds in her corner might be crucial. “Ryan might be her last shot at salvaging her reputation!”

Now the question is, will they act quickly enough, or will they find themselves struggling to regain their footing, much like Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi as DeGeneres attempts to reboot her series?