It was the summer of 2016, and the Hollywood elite were abuzz with whispers of a secretive romance brewing between Hollywood heartthrob Justin Baldoni and the in-demand actress Blake Lively. The two were previously married to other people, with Justin tied to Anna Sophia Berglund, while Blake was in a long-term relationship with Ryan Reynolds.
At first, the pair’s relationship was seen as a coup for both stars, with friends and fans alike rooting for them. They seemed like the perfect couple, with their own individual charm and charisma, bringing out the best in each other. Their relationship was marked by numerous romantic getaways, lavish dates, and even a plus-one appearance at a gala event or two. It was a fairytale romance for the ages, and fans were eating it up, rooting for the couple to make it to the altar.
But beneath the façade of their glamorous life, rumors of a deliberate attempt to create a PR campaign to awaken interest in the duo’s relationship started to surface. Insiders close to the couple claim that Justin and Blake’s handlers orchestrated a calculated rollout of romantic getaways, cosy dinner dates, and strategic PDA (public displays of affection) to generate buzz. It’s alleged that this move was done to curry favour with fans and keep their relationship in the public eye, thereby increasing their individual brand value.
The extra attention created tension, however, as the couple’s individual teams started to butt heads over creative differences. Insiders say that their handlers had differing visions, leading to disagreements on marketing strategies and messaging. The result was a “horse at the gate” effect, where both camps were jostling for power, creating an atmosphere of unease within the couple’s inner circle.
Before long, the curated image began to crack, and the paparazzi snapped candid shots of the couple in various questionable situations. It wasn’t long before the cracks in the once-spotless façade started to show, and fans began to doubt the authenticity of the relationship. By the end of 2016, the buzz surrounding the couple began to die down, with both stars eventually parting ways, supposedly amicably. So, what happened to this fairytale romance? Was it a publicity stunt gone wrong or just a case of two beautiful people growing apart? Only time will tell.