A short video clip from New York Fashion Week 2023 has suddenly found its way back into the spotlight, with social media users debating whether Blake Lively appeared to be left out by fellow celebrities at a star-studded runway show.
The resurfaced footage shows Lively sitting in the front row at the Michael Kors show with a smile on her face. Nearby, the group of Ellen Pompeo, her husband Chris Ivery, Rita Ora, and Jesse Williams can be seen chatting and laughing together. Although they were seated close to Lively, the group appeared focused on their own conversation at that particular moment.
The clip quickly gained attention because of the caption, which read: 'Other celebrities in attendance avoiding Blake Lively.' Some viewers took the moment as proof that Hollywood stars were purposely keeping their distance, while others questioned whether a few seconds of footage could really tell the full story.
Internet Shares Blunt Reactions to the Viral Clip
The video sparked a wave of reactions on Reddit, where users shared jokes, criticism and debate over what the interaction actually meant.
Some commenters focused on Ellen Pompeo's expression in the clip, with one writing: 'She glances over then she's like "Nope."'
Others connected the video to past controversies involving Lively, including criticism she has faced over previous public moments. One Reddit user commented: 'Ellen Pompeo is SO not someone who would have a second of patience for Blake's BS antics... especially the plantation wedding. This is hilarious.'
Not everyone immediately celebrated the awkward-looking moment. Some admitted they initially felt uncomfortable seeing Lively sitting alone before remembering previous online discussions surrounding the actress.
'Brooo don't post videos like this. Got my empathetic ass almost contemplating feeling sorry for her. Almost,' one user wrote.
Another added: 'I was almost uncomfortable for Blake! Then I remembered the plantation wedding, Justin in the basement, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, the reporter she put down... crew she treated bad and then it quickly went away.'
Some commenters even claimed the video showed a wider Hollywood reaction, writing: 'The industry always knew. You cannot convince me otherwise. Industry people avoided her like the plague.'
Was Blake Lively Really Being Ignored?
While the viral clip created the impression that Lively was being excluded, photos from the same event suggest a different picture.
Images from the Michael Kors show capture Pompeo interacting with Lively during the event. Although it is unclear how long their conversation lasted, the photos indicate that the two stars did have an exchange at the fashion show.
The seating arrangement also placed several celebrities close together, making it normal for guests to turn towards different conversations throughout the event. A short clip showing one group chatting does not necessarily reflect the full atmosphere of the evening.
i didn’t know how much i needed to see ellen pompeo and blake lively together until i saw them together 🤍 pic.twitter.com/QEov4JNlRo
— luiza (@greyspostit) September 11, 2023
Inside Her Glamorous 2023 NYFW Fashion Moment
Before the resurfaced video became a talking point online, Lively's appearance at the September 2023 event was mostly praised for her fashion choice.
The actress attended the Michael Kors Spring/Summer 2024 runway show wearing a glamorous gold belted jumpsuit from the designer's Fall 2023 Ready-to-Wear collection. The '70s-inspired outfit was paired with voluminous wavy hair and a polished makeup look.
Lively also posed for photos with Michael Kors during the event, highlighting her long-standing reputation as one of Hollywood's most stylish stars.
