Blake Lively's Shadiest Moments

Page Six reports that Lively fumed at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival when master of ceremonies Laurent Lafitte told director Woody Allen onstage, "It's very nice that you've been shooting so many movies in Europe, even if you are not being convicted for rape in the US." It's widely assumed Lafitte was referring to accusations from Allen's adopted daughter that he sexually abused her at age 7, and also referencing director Roman Polanski, who exclusively films across the pond to avoid jail time in the States for sexual relations with a minor.

When asked about Lafitte's dialogue, Lively told Variety, "I think any jokes about rape, homophobia or Hitler is not a joke. I think that was a hard thing to swallow in 30 seconds. Film festivals are such a beautiful, respectful festivals of film and artists and to have that, it felt like it wouldn't have happened if it was in the 1940s. I can't imagine Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby going out and doing that. It was more disappointing for the artists in the room that someone was going up there making jokes about something that wasn't funny."

Of course, the significance of Fred Astaire performing in blackface and Bing Crosby allegedly abusing his family seems lost on Lively. As for Lively's assessment of Allen, she told the Los Angeles Times in May 2016, "It's amazing what Woody has written for women." Lively stars in Allen's Café Society (2016). She said the director's personal controversy did not affect her ability to work with him. "It's very dangerous to factor in things you don't know anything about. I could [only] know my experience. And my experience with Woody is he's empowering to women," she told the L.A. Times.

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