Hollywood power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds find themselves at the center of controversy once again, as their 2012 wedding at a former plantation resurfaces in public discourse.
The longstanding criticism, which first gained traction years ago, has now re-emerged amid their ongoing legal dispute with actor and director Justin Baldoni.
The couple tied the knot in a small, private ceremony at Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens in South Carolina, with only 35 close friends and family members in attendance. At the time, the venue was admired for its picturesque charm, featuring grand oak trees, historic architecture, and lush gardens. However, the romantic setting masked a deeply painful history—Boone Hall was once a slave plantation, and its preserved slave cabins and cotton fields stand as haunting reminders of a brutal past.
The Boone Hall Plantation website acknowledges this dark chapter, stating, “This is an important topic that must be discussed openly and honestly whenever plantation life is addressed.” The site further emphasizes its mission to “present the history of slavery in an accurate and educational manner each day in a way that pays honor and respect to that history and the progress of Black Americans.”
At the time of their wedding, Lively and Reynolds faced significant criticism for choosing a location that many saw as a symbol of oppression and suffering. Critics accused them of romanticizing a site where countless enslaved individuals endured unimaginable hardships. The backlash intensified over the years, prompting Ryan Reynolds to publicly acknowledge his regret in 2020, calling the decision a “giant f*ing mistake.”**
Despite the actor’s public apology and commitment to supporting racial justice initiatives, the controversy refuses to fade. With their legal battle against Justin Baldoni now dominating headlines, renewed attention has fallen on the couple, leading to fresh discussions about accountability, privilege, and historical awareness in Hollywood.
As the scrutiny grows, all eyes remain on Lively and Reynolds—not just for their ongoing legal dispute but also for how they will navigate this rekindled controversy and address the historical significance of their wedding venue once again.