Blake Lively faces backlash after director Paul Feig's wife accused of posing as a fan at 'Another Simple Favor' SXSW premiere

Critics accuse 'Another Simple Favor' team of staging crowd support amid ongoing legal drama.

Blake Lively came under scrutiny during the SXSW premiere of her new film Another Simple Favor after a selfie with Laurie Feig, the wife of director Paul Feig, sparked rumors that the actress staged parts of her crowd interaction.

Critics accused Laurie of “pretending to be a fan” after a photo showed her behind a railing near Lively, prompting one YouTuber to post, “Why is the director of Another Simple Favor’s wife pretending to be a fan in the crowd waiting for Blake on the red carpet to take a selfie?”

Why is the director of Another Simple Favor’s wife pretending to be a fan in the crowd waiting for Blake on the red carpet to take a selfie? Watch how many PR bots reply that “this is normal”, “internalized misogyny”, and “why do you care”? 👇😂 pic.twitter.com/U0a3Bft8Rp

— Melanie King (@realmelanieking) March 9, 2025

Why is the director of Another Simple Favor’s wife pretending to be a fan in the crowd waiting for Blake on the red carpet to take a selfie? Watch how many PR bots reply that “this is normal”, “internalized misogyny”, and “why do you care”? 👇😂 pic.twitter.com/U0a3Bft8Rp

— Melanie King (@realmelanieking) March 9, 2025

However, further photos clarified that Feig was not in the fan section, but on the same side of the venue as the red carpet, while Lively had crossed over to greet fans. The man who took the viral photo was a festival attendee, not associated with either woman.

The backlash follows a string of controversies for Lively, including a legal feud with It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni, who is suing her for defamation after she filed a sexual harassment complaint.

Lively’s legal team recently amended her complaint, claiming “other women confided in Blake about their discomfort” with Baldoni. His attorney responded, slamming the “unsubstantiated hearsay” and promising revealing depositions.

Despite the drama, Lively appeared at the SXSW premiere and mingled with fans, even as protestors held signs reading “Justice for Justin Baldoni. Blake lied.”