Blake Lively, the Hollywood actress often associated with her polished image and seemingly perfect life, is once again making headlines—but not for the right reasons. In what appears to be a desperate attempt to shift the media narrative, Lively recently took up a shift at a Connecticut donut shop. However, rather than receiving praise for her supposed “relatable” moment, she is facing intense scrutiny from the public, with many calling the stunt a transparent and failed PR move.

The PR Machine at Work

If you search Blake Lively’s name online right now, you’ll see a flood of nearly identical headlines proclaiming, “Blake Lively Surprises Fans by Working at a Donut Shop.” The media is clearly pushing this narrative hard, hoping to replace the controversy surrounding Lively with an image of her as a down-to-earth, hardworking woman of the people. But fans (or lack thereof) aren’t buying it.

The timing of this “spontaneous” act of generosity is suspicious, as it coincides with the ongoing lawsuit involving actor Justin Baldoni. Lively has been accused of launching an “undetectable smear campaign” against Baldoni and others, a claim that her PR team is desperately trying to downplay. Now, instead of addressing the serious allegations against her, Lively has chosen to serve donuts—a move many see as a blatant attempt at damage control.

Where Are These So-Called Fans?

The question many are asking is, who exactly are these fans being “surprised” by Lively’s donut shop stunt? Reports claim she was in a “really happy mood” while behind the counter, but was this happiness genuine, or just another performance for the cameras?

A particularly telling moment was when a child in the donut shop reportedly didn’t even recognize her. His father had to explain that she is “Deadpool’s wife” (referring to Ryan Reynolds), which only further highlights how unrelatable and disconnected Lively is from the everyday public. If the stunt was supposed to endear her to the masses, it seems to have done the opposite.

A PR Stunt Gone Wrong

What makes this PR move even more laughable is Lively’s apparent disregard for basic hygiene while handling food. In photos from the event, her hair is seen hanging over the food prep area, and she appears to be working without any proper safety measures. Rather than looking like a charming act of kindness, her presence in the bakery comes across as unsanitary and forced.

Additionally, social media users have pointed out a pattern among celebrities who attempt to “cook and bake” as a means of softening their public image following controversy. From Amber Heard to other high-profile women accused of wrongdoing, there seems to be an unspoken rule that when the media turns against you, just post a picture of yourself baking and hope the internet forgets. Unfortunately for Lively, people aren’t so easily fooled.

The Bigger Picture

It’s clear that Lively’s PR team is trying to drown out the more serious accusations against her by flooding the media with fluff pieces. This SEO-driven attempt at distraction is painfully obvious to those following the situation closely. Rather than addressing the lawsuit and the disturbing allegations attached to it, Lively’s team is hoping people will associate her with smiling behind a counter instead.

But in today’s world, where audiences are more critical and socially aware than ever, these tactics rarely work. If anything, this poorly executed PR stunt has only added fuel to the fire, making Lively look even more desperate to salvage her crumbling public image.

As the controversy unfolds, one thing remains clear: no amount of donuts can cover up the truth.