Anne Hathaway is facing a wave of backlash online after being photographed snuggling with Blake Lively at the 2026 Met Gala.
The controversy broke out after a photo, published by Variety On Tuesday morning, it showed Lively hugging a smiling Hathaway inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The fans were quick to scold the The devil wears Prada association star, particularly since Lively’s explosive appearance came just hours after she settled a highly divisive and explosive legal battle with her Finish with us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni.
The reaction on social media has been swift and brutal, with many fans expressing deep disappointment in Hathaway.
One X user urged the actress to distance herself from Lively before she was sued, while others questioned why Hathaway would risk her hard-earned public popularity by posing with someone many have called a “thug.”
The anger has even extended to calls to boycott Hathaway’s latest film, The Devil Wears Prada 2and some disgruntled viewers claimed she ruined the film’s premiere by associating with Lively.
Lively’s presence at the star-studded event was a big surprise for those following the Fashion live broadcast, as it marked his first public outing since the conclusion of his lawsuit.
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 most of their claims, including all sexual harassment allegations, leaving the two sides to resolve the remaining charges of breach of contract and retaliation out of court on Monday.
Despite the heavy atmosphere surrounding her legal troubles, Lively seemed completely at ease that night, wearing a colorful archival Atelier Versace dress from 2006.
The settlement between Lively and Baldoni was floated by their legal teams as a way to find closure and move forward peacefully, however, the public’s reaction to the Met Gala snapshot suggests that a “respectful online environment” is still a long way off.
While the movie Finish with us was a box office hit in 2024, the off-screen friction clearly continues to cast a shadow over those involved.
For Hathaway, what was probably intended to be a simple social moment has turned into a major public relations headache, as fans continue to criticize the actress for her choice of company on fashion’s biggest night.
