Gossip Girl star Blake Lively has made it to TIME magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People of 2025 as a “Titan.” The actress’ philanthropic efforts are a major highlight of the story. However, social media reactions to her inclusion in the list and her Titan title are mixed, with some calling it a “PR stunt” and some praising her for “standing up for what is right.”
Blake Lively gets mixed reaction from fans for Time 100 list ranking
Amid the Justin Baldoni lawsuit saga, Blake Lively has been named one of TIME‘s 100 Most Influential People of the Year. Civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill wrote a tribute piece for the The Age of Adaline star. Ifill hailed her for the commitment to “moving this country forward.”
Ifill wrote, “I don’t know the Blake Lively of the red carpet. Or the Met Gala. I never watched Gossip Girl. The Blake Lively I know is a philanthropist and a student of our country’s most intractable problems.”
The article also recalls Lively and her husband’s major contribution to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in 2019. Lively’s curiosity and the commitment to becoming a “fully informed and prepared citizen” find special mention in Ifill’s article. Speaking of Lively, the lawyer concludes, “She’s a risk taker. And she’s committed to moving this country forward. For her children. And for mine.”
The Shallows star took to Instagram to share the TIME100 article with her followers. The 37-year-old actress called it an “honor,” saying it is “one of the most surreal and meaningful moments” of her life.
However, it seems Blake Lively’s TIME100 rank has angered some social media users. An X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “This is the most egregious PR stunt Blake Lively has ever done. It’s so offensive I thought it was satire.”
But Lively also found some support online. A fan celebrated that Lively’s actions are finding their due acknowledgement. The X user posted, “She is being honored for her philanthropy.” Additionally, they lauded Lively for “gracefully…keeping her head up despite being targeted online for speaking out against sexual harassment on set.”
Another user commented on Lively’s Instagram post, gushing, “Incredible! I have always admired you standing up for what is right and her words highlight that perfectly.” Further, they congratulated Lively on the achievement.
