Why is this 2009 Saturday Night Live (SNL) skit featuring Blake Lively controversial? HOLR breaks down the claims.

Blake Lively SNL Skit

A 2009 Saturday Night Live (SNL) skit featuring Blake Lively is resurfacing on social media, reigniting controversy just as the actress faces a legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

The skit, titled Virginiaca Shops for a Beaded Skirt, sees Lively playing a character shopping in a store with her mother. In the sketch, Lively awkwardly interacts with a store employee, engaging in a series of cringe-worthy moments as she navigates the shopping experience with her mother.

This is the viral sketch, found on YouTube.

Blake Lively SNL Potato Chip

The sketch has been labeled controversial due to its portrayal of Lively’s socially awkward behavior, which some viewers have interpreted as reinforcing stereotypes about women in consumer spaces. As the skit unfolds, the character’s interactions with the store staff, combined with her over-the-top mannerisms, have been criticized for being exaggerated to an uncomfortable degree.

The timing of the skit’s resurgence has drawn additional attention amid Lively’s ongoing legal issues with Baldoni. While there is no direct connection between the two events, the resurfaced sketch has sparked online discussions about Lively’s public image. Critics are questioning whether the content of the sketch, which some consider tone-deaf and outdated, reflects an underlying problematic approach to humor that may have contributed to a certain perception of the actress.

Social media users are divided, with some defending the skit as harmless humor typical of SNL, while others argue that its portrayal of women and exaggerated character traits are inappropriate by today’s standards. The controversy surrounding the sketch highlights how content from the past can be reexamined in the present, prompting broader conversations about cultural sensitivity and the evolution of comedic norms. As Lively navigates her legal battle, this resurfaced moment serves as a reminder of how public figures’ past work can impact their current reputation.

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Published by HOLR Magazine

Image Credit: Saturday Night Live YouTube