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Megyn Kelly, a former Fox News host and sexual harassment survivor, refuses to accept Blake Lively‘s latest achievement. The latter made TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025 despite her legal drama with Justin Baldoni. However, the honor did not sit right with Kelly, who emphasized the negative impacts of Lively’s inclusion in the list.
Kelly expressed her displeasure during a red-carpet interview at the TIME100 all-star gala. The event happened Thursday night in New York City, with the media personality calling out Lively’s participation. She argued the actress had no place there, claiming she had “bastardized” the Me Too movement with her Baldoni witch hunt.
“It’s a ridiculous joke. She shouldn’t be here. I think [Blake has] launched a fake Me Too allegation against [Justin], and she’s lived to regret doing it because virtually every allegation she has made has fallen apart,” Kelly told The Daily Mail. “So for her to be honored for doing that, to try to ruin a man over absolutely nothing, is a scandal,” she added.
Megyn Kelly Slams TIME Magazine for Allegedly Using Blake Lively for Clout
Kelly’s criticisms extended to TIME Magazine for including Lively in their annual list. She believed they only nominated the It Ends With Us actress for publicity and slammed their actions as “very wrong.” She also echoed similar sentiments to critics, who suspected Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds’ power influenced the nomination.
According to Kelly, the controversial couple has “very powerful PR people and lawyers.” She noted that it was important for the public to be “clear-eyed” in these situations and implored them to “call out” false claims. “Otherwise, no one who has actually experienced these things is going to be believed,” the journalist stressed.
The former Fox News host’s dislike for Lively may stem from her past sexual harassment drama. She was among the high-profile female anchors who accused media giant Roger Ailes of inappropriate behavior. Their accusations sparked a highly-publicized scandal that led to the then-CEO’s retirement before his 2017 death. Kelly’s brave actions and the traumatic experiences of other women were detailed in the hit movie Bombshell.
Blake Lively’s TIME’s Honor Sparks Bribe Theories
Lively’s inclusion in TIME Magazine’s annual list sparked online backlash, with many believing she bought her way in. We covered the drama, reporting bribe theories flooded the X platform. “How much did Blake Lively’s team pay TIME to get her on the ‘Titan’ list?” someone wondered. Another echoed similar sentiments, writing:
“You have to wonder how much Blake’s baby daddy influenced this fluff piece?”
A third referenced Lively’s legal drama, noting that ruining a man’s life could get them on TIME’s list. The criticisms continued, with an X user comparing the A Simple Favor actress’ situation to Amber Heard. The latter’s infamous court battle with Johnny Depp sparked media outrage after her abuse allegations didn’t hold weight in court.
TIME seemingly defended their choice with a praise-filled piece written by Sherrilyn Ifill, a renowned civil rights attorney. Ifill hailed Lively as “a philanthropist and a student of our country’s most intractable problems.” She claimed the latter was committed to making America a fairer place for all people, regardless of skin color or ethnicity.
Despite this beautiful declaration of Blake Lively’s character, many, like Megyn Kelly, believe she is undeserving of the honor.
