Ryan Reynolds has recently ignited a wave of controversy with remarks that have raised more than a few eyebrows, particularly in how he and his wife, Blake Lively, described their childhoods. In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 48-year-old Deadpool star reflected on how he and Lively are raising their four children, noting that both of them grew up "very working class." While his comments might have seemed genuine at the moment, they quickly turned into a talking point across social media and beyond. Reynolds’ claim has drawn attention, with many taking issue with the definition of “working class” he used, particularly when it comes to Blake Lively’s background.
“I remember when they were very young, I used to say or think, like, 'Oh God, I would never have had a gift like this when I was a kid,' or, 'I never would've had this luxury of getting takeout,'" Reynolds shared during the interview. His words seemed to reflect the disparity between his upbringing and the privileged lifestyle his family now enjoys, but what really struck a nerve with audiences was the suggestion that both he and Lively came from working-class roots.
Blake Lively’s background, in particular, has sparked a lot of backlash. The 37-year-old actress, known for roles in Gossip Girl and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, did not exactly grow up in a “working-class” household, as some critics have pointed out. In fact, Lively's childhood was steeped in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. She is the daughter of Ernie and Elaine Lively, both of whom had significant careers in the entertainment industry. While Reynolds' father worked as a police officer and later as a food broker in Vancouver, Lively's parents were both deeply embedded in the world of film and television.
Blake’s father, Ernie Lively, had a long and accomplished acting career that spanned over 50 years and included memorable roles in Turner & Hooch and American Pie 2. Her mother, Elaine, worked as a talent manager. Growing up in such an environment, Blake Lively had an entirely different upbringing than the "working-class" narrative that Reynolds shared. She herself has discussed how she “grew up on sets,” thanks to her mother’s work and her family’s strong ties to the industry. It’s also noteworthy that Blake’s breakout role in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants happened when she was a teenager, and her real-life father even played her on-screen dad.
Social media users wasted no time pointing out the glaring discrepancy between Reynolds’ characterization of their pasts and the reality of Lively’s privileged background. One user sarcastically remarked, “You keep using that word, 'working class.' I do not think it means what you think it means,” highlighting the misunderstanding of the term. Another social media critic pointed out that Lively grew up in Tarzana, California, and later attended Burbank High School—hardly the hallmarks of a working-class upbringing. “Her whole family was in the entertainment business. She was cast in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants while she was a teen. It's giving at least middle class,” one critic quipped.
Others, clearly frustrated by Reynolds’ attempt to present Lively as relatable, chimed in with similar criticisms. "Stop trying to make Relatable Blake happen, it's NOT going to happen," said one user, while another sarcastically added, “Just because her parents worked doesn't make them working class. So tone deaf honestly!”
Although Reynolds himself comes from a more modest background, where his father held a steady job in law enforcement and later worked in food brokering, it seems that Lively's childhood was worlds apart from his own. Her family had access to all the advantages that Hollywood’s entertainment industry could offer. With a career spanning multiple decades and an established network in show business, it’s safe to say that Blake Lively’s upbringing was anything but working-class.
As for their current lifestyle, it’s clear that neither Reynolds nor Lively are anywhere near the working class today. In fact, their combined net worth is a staggering £380 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Both actors have established highly successful ventures outside of Hollywood, particularly in the beverage industry. Reynolds co-founded the gin company Aviation American Gin, which was sold to Diageo for a hefty sum in 2020, while Lively’s brand of non-alcoholic mixers, Betty Buzz, has also earned considerable attention.
In a 2020 interview with Marie Claire, Lively herself touched on their desire to offer their children a "normal life." She noted that Reynolds had a “nice, normal upbringing” and that they both wanted their children to experience something similar, despite the obvious contrast to the lifestyle the couple enjoys now. “Ryan had a nice, normal upbringing, and we want our kids to have the same normal life that we had,” she said. But normal in this context is a far cry from what most people would consider working-class.
The debate over what constitutes a "working-class" background isn’t just an academic one. In a world where celebrities often face accusations of being out of touch with everyday people, comments like these from Reynolds have a way of shining a light on the disconnect between the image they project and the reality of their lives. Of course, people grow and change, and one’s perspective on wealth and privilege can evolve over time. Still, it’s hard to ignore the irony of calling one’s upbringing working-class when a net worth in the hundreds of millions tells a very different story.
So, where does that leave us? Is Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal of his and Lively’s upbringing a simple case of nostalgia, or is it an unfortunate slip of the tongue that reveals how far removed the couple has become from the “normal” lives they once had? Either way, it’s a reminder of the complexities of fame and fortune, and how even the most well-intentioned comments can spark heated debates about class, privilege, and the lives of the rich and famous.
While many will continue to criticize Reynolds for his characterization of their childhoods, there’s a broader conversation about how celebrities navigate their public personas and attempt to connect with their audiences. For those in Hollywood, staying grounded and relatable is a balancing act, especially when your life is anything but ordinary. As for Blake and Ryan, their journey from humble beginnings to multimillion-dollar ventures is a story that, for many, is far from relatable—but it’s certainly one that keeps people talking.
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