Blake Lively has recently found herself at the center of a heated controversy after a 2017 advertisement resurfaced, in which she claimed Cherokee heritage. 

The 37-year-old actress, currently embroiled in a high-profile legal dispute with her *It Ends With Us* co-star Justin Baldoni, 

is facing backlash following the reappearance of an old L’Oreal Paris commercial in which she casually discussed her ancestry. 

In the ad, Lively, who is best known for her role as Serena van der Woodsen on *Gossip Girl*, reveals, 

“I’m English, Irish, German, and Cherokee,” before commenting on the diversity of the United States.

The video, which had already been viewed millions of times on TikTok, has sparked intense discussions online, particularly from Native American individuals and activists who accuse Lively of cultural appropriation. 

Cultural appropriation is defined as the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of another culture, particularly when the culture being appropriated is marginalized or exploited.

One TikTok user, Stephanie Tleiji, shared the clip, expressing her shock upon learning about Lively’s self-claimed Cherokee roots, while others took to social media to criticize the actress for using her partial ancestry to claim a connection to Native American heritage. Some commenters sarcastically remarked about the dubious nature of her claim, with one writing, “Her great-great-great-grandmother twice removed must be a Cherokee princess,” highlighting skepticism surrounding her ancestry.

Blake Lively’s comments in the advertisement have been interpreted by many as an instance of cultural appropriation, a term that refers to the inappropriate or unacknowledged use of elements from one culture by individuals who do not belong to that culture. These types of accusations often arise when someone from a dominant culture adopts cultural markers or symbols, like clothing, hairstyles, or heritage, from a minority culture without understanding or respecting the significance behind them.

The resurfaced video is not the first time Blake Lively has faced accusations of cultural insensitivity. In 2016, she sparked outrage when she posted an Instagram caption referencing the phrase “L.A. face with an Oakland booty,” a line from Sir Mix-a-Lot’s song “Baby Got Back.” Critics took issue with her use of Black culture and stereotypes, pointing out her privilege as a white woman using Black women’s bodies as a punchline.

In addition, Lively stirred controversy during an old MTV interview, in which she admitted to using bronzer and wearing a “Scary Spice” wig to trick boys into thinking she was a Black girl, a comment that was quickly labeled as racially insensitive by many viewers. The actress’ attempt to playfully recount her teenage experiences has been criticized as an example of blackface, a form of racial mockery that perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Black people.

Beyond these accusations, Lively has also faced scrutiny for her marriage to actor Ryan Reynolds, particularly regarding the venue of their 2012 wedding. The couple chose to marry at the Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens in South Carolina, a location with a painful history tied to slavery. Despite efforts to address the controversy, including the couple’s apology and public donations to organizations like the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the wedding site’s history remains a point of contention for many.

The combination of these incidents has led to ongoing debates about Lively’s public persona and her responsibility in navigating cultural issues. Critics argue that her past actions have shown a lack of understanding about the historical and social significance of the cultures she has referenced or appropriated, while others defend her, pointing to her charitable contributions and advocacy for causes like Black Lives Matter.

Lively’s handling of the backlash surrounding the resurfaced advertisement will likely continue to be scrutinized as it is amplified by social media. Many are calling for a more thoughtful and respectful approach to cultural differences, particularly for public figures who have the platform to influence widespread cultural perceptions. As the conversation around cultural appropriation grows, it remains to be seen whether Lively will publicly address these concerns or modify her approach to discussions of heritage in the future.

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