What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Meghan McCain’s objection was that Blake Lively’s floral, girls’ outing framing made It Ends With Us sound like a light social event even though the story involves domestic violence. McCain made the remarks on her Citizen McCain podcast; Hollywood Life reported them on August 21, 2024.
What did McCain say about the press tour?
McCain focused on the contrast between the film’s subject and the promotional language inviting audiences to wear florals and attend with friends. Hollywood Life quoted her saying: “If you’re taking on the responsibility of telling the story about a woman in a domestic violence situation, you have to be respectful that you’re representing millions and millions of women and men who are victims of domestic violence.”
She also objected to what she saw as the campaign’s tone: “I think the tone she’s setting in a lot of the press with this, saying, ‘Put on your florals and come together, girls.’” McCain added: “I don’t want to put florals on and go with my girlfriends to watch a fun girl movie about domestic violence.” These quotations are as Hollywood Life reported McCain’s podcast remarks; they should not be treated as an independently verified transcript of the original audio. Hollywood Life’s August 21, 2024 report.
Why did the floral promotion draw criticism?
It Ends With Us, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, follows a relationship involving domestic violence. McCain’s criticism was not simply that the film used flowers in its promotion; it was that the upbeat, social framing seemed out of step with the serious subject. TheWrap described the film’s premise and reported the marketing response in its August 14, 2024 coverage. TheWrap’s report on the film and its opening weekend.
#1 Best Overall
That distinction matters: McCain was criticizing how the campaign presented the film, not claiming that the subject should not be adapted or promoted. Her central argument was that marketing should acknowledge the weight of a story about abuse rather than make it sound like a carefree girls’ outing.
McCain’s personal remarks about Lively
In the same podcast commentary, McCain also made personal remarks about Lively, including saying she did not like her. Those remarks were separate from her argument about the promotional tone. Keeping them distinct makes clear that the criticism included both a personal opinion and a substantive objection to the campaign; one does not establish the other.
Rank #2
- The Colleen Hoover Bestselling 2 Book Collection It Ends with Us and It Starts with Us
- ABIS BOOK
- Language: English
How the criticism fit into the wider reaction
McCain was not the only person reported to have criticized the marketing’s light tone. TIME described broader criticism of the campaign, but that does not mean all viewers shared the same view. TIME also noted that rumors about behind-the-scenes drama being orchestrated as a marketing strategy were not supported by proof. Such speculation should not be confused with established facts about the cast or the film’s promotion. TIME’s account of the marketing controversy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The later legal case is a separate story
The Lively–Baldoni legal dispute arose after the 2024 press tour and is separate from McCain’s criticism of the campaign. The Associated Press reported in May 2026 that the case ended in a settlement, with terms undisclosed. The settlement does not establish whether McCain’s earlier opinion about the marketing was right or wrong. Associated Press report on the settlement.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
