Anne Hathaway is facing a wave of backlash online after being photographed with Blake Lively at the 2026 Met Gala.
The controversy broke out after a photo, posted by Variety Tuesday morning showed Lively with her arm around a smiling Hathaway inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Fans were quick to berate the The devil wears Prada star of the association, especially since Lively’s explosive appearance came just hours after she settled a highly controversial and explosive legal battle with her. It ends with us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni.
The reaction on social media was swift and brutal, with many fans expressing their deep disappointment in Hathaway.
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The anger even resulted in calls for a boycott of Hathaway’s latest film, The devil wears Prada 2with some disgruntled viewers claiming she ruined the film’s release by associating with Lively.
Lively’s presence at this prestigious event was a major surprise for those who followed the event. Vogue live, as it was his first public outing since the conclusion of his trial.
The legal drama, which began in December 2024, saw Lively accuse Baldoni and his production company of sexual harassment and retaliation.
However, a judge recently dismissed the majority of his claims, including all sexual harassment allegations, leaving the two sides to settle the remaining breach of contract and retaliation charges out of court on Monday.
Despite the fraught atmosphere surrounding her legal woes, Lively seemed completely unfazed that night, wearing a colorful archive Atelier Versace dress from 2006.
The settlement between Lively and Baldoni was designed by their legal teams as a way to bring closure and move forward in peace, but public reaction to the Met Gala photo suggests that a “respectful online environment” is still a long way off.
While the film It ends with us was a box office success in 2024, off-screen friction clearly continues to cloud those involved.
For Hathaway, what was likely meant to be a simple social moment has turned into a major PR problem, as fans continue to criticize the actress for her choice of company at fashion’s biggest night.
