Now that it’s October, I’m accepting that it’s officially fall. I’m leaning into pumpkin-flavored baked goods, I put out my decor, and I’m rewatching old Disney favorites like Twitches.
But also, this means I have to stress over what costume I’m gonna wear. I actually despise Halloween for the sheer fact that I have to wear a costume. I’m great at dressing up (in designer) not (in costume).
It’s a weeks’ long debate that inevitably ends with me struggling to find a last-minute Halloween costume. I do not wear what everyone else wears, probably because I’m a Leo, so I want my costume to be a little niche.
In the spirit of being less of a procrastinator and more proactive, I’ve committed to choosing what I want to be for Halloween now. Yes, early October, so I can take my time and find what I really want to wear.
However, this isn’t easy. If you go to TikTok, there’s a 50% chance that someone else at the party will be wearing the same thing as you. So, you kind of have to relinquish that dream and embrace it.
If you’re like me and trying to find a good costume a bit early this year…let’s get through this battle together. Whether you need a group costume, something for you and your significant other, or just a solo moment, it’s easy to pick a celeb and copy their style as a costume.
Let’s take a look at some of the best celebrity-inspired Halloween costumes for 2024!
Travis Kelce
For boys, Travis is an easy option for those with a girlfriend who wants them to dress up. I get how it may feel like you have a gun to your head if you aren’t a Chiefs fan, but this is the easier option compared to others.
To be Trav yourself, you just need a pair of jeans, a jersey or Kelce-related shirt. Literally, that’s it. You know what they say: happy wife, happy life! Bonus points if you grow a mustache in time.
Here are my picks for a Travis Kelce Halloween costume:
And for each Travis, there should be a Taylor. For Swift you can go with many different styles — or should I say eras? — depending on your mood. Which is good news for those who hate wearing the same thing as others and bad news for the people who are bad at making decisions.
If you want to go with something matching your Travis, wear a Taylor Swift gameday outfit. But if you want to go with a Classic Taylor, choose one of her tour looks or something fabulous from her music videos.
This is my favorite Taylor Swift Halloween costume:
I’m warning you now: this will be a popular costume this year. Sabrina’s one of the breakout popstars of the year, and as she’s currently still on her Short n’ Sweet Tour, her star is only growing.
To achieve the best Sabrina Carpenter look, all you need are short skirts and corsets…and no costume would be complete without sky-high platform heels.
Capture that me espresso with this Sabrina Carpenter:
And you can’t have a Sabrina without her Barry! Saltburnstar Keoghan — alongside heartthrob Jacob Elordi — stole hearts in Emerald Fennel’s film…but his relationship with Sabrina has been all we can talk about lately!
The Irishman is known for wearing his signature tracksuits, while also being a bit of a fashion icon himself. If you don’t want to go too crazy this Halloween, I’d stick to a track jacket.
Another easy look is Barry in the Please, Please, Please video. You can achieve this look with these items:
Rihanna is iconic. She’s had many memorable fashion moments, including that famous flaming red hair. If you’re in the mood to wear a wig, Rihanna is a terrific option. Plus, it’s a solid way to manifest her next album (I hope).
If you’re pregnant, her Super Bowl halftime performance outfit is a great pick! Even better, if it’s how you’re announcing it! But, if you want to be the Fenty founder for Halloween, here are some easy picks:
You had to have known this was coming. A$AP is Rihanna’s longtime boo and again, another male fashion icon. The duo serve major looks, which shouldn’t surprise you. But that means your A$AP Rocky costume consists of dressing really nice.
Or, controversially, you could be A$AP Rocky in Lana Del Rey’s “National Anthem” music video. If you think that’s the more fun option, here is how you can steal the look:
BRAT Summer to BRAT Fall. While Charli baby rages on tour with Troye Sivan, you can channel your inner BRAT queen this Halloween. Charli’s look is a little similar to Sabrina’s, but also a little less girly, and a little more grunge.
So grab a pleated miniskirt and crop a white tee. The Charli XCX look is actually an extremely comfortable Halloween costume that can be recycled on a later date…because I hate buying a costume and never touching it again.
Here are some BRAT outfits for your BRAT Halloween:
Would it be a celeb-inspired Halloween costume list without queen Hailey herself? New mom Hailey is such a fashion icon and our ultimate influencer. Without Hailey, we probably wouldn’t give a hoot about Kosas Concealer and we definitely wouldn’t have rhode skin.
She has a bunch of stylish outfits you can replicate — and for far less money than Hailey paid. But this is a super simple Hailey Bieber costume:
And to round out the list, we have The Biebs himself. You knew it was coming. And we’ve seen many phases of Justin Bieber, so picking a costume should be a breeze.
Male or female, Justin Bieber is a popular Halloween costume. I’ve seen girls dress up as “Baby” era Bieber and boys dress up as current Justin. Either way, he’s a terrific celebrity to dress up as— especially if you have a Hailey joining you this All Hallows Eve.
As a girl who’s a die-hard football fan, it’s tough out here. I have men who don’t believe that I actually follow the sport and women who complain about having to watch the game in general. Football has been a male-dominated territory for a long time, but Taylor Swift is making groundbreaking changes.
With her regular attendance at Kansas City Chiefs games in support of her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, Swift is basically guaranteeing that women will be there for NFL games now…even if it’s only to catch a glimpse of Miss Swift herself.
And even if you’re not a Swiftie, more and more women are watching football more than ever. Whether it’s because your father, brother, uncle, friend, or boyfriend forced you to watch alongside them…or because you and your gal pals started an all female fantasy football league just for fun.
Where I live, Sundays are great days to go out and socialize. Bars are packed with people watching the games, so even if you’re not a fan it’s a fantastic excuse to get out of your house.
Morning Consult Brand Intelligence reported that, in December 2023, 64% of Gen-Z and millennial women held the NFL in a favorable view. The interest surrounding football goes beyond Swift now, and the NFL must do something to continue to capitalize on that.
Yes, it helps that heartthrobs like Joe Burrow exist simply to keep women interested. But what’s more interesting is that women are starting to care about the game itself.
I’m in an all girls fantasy league, where almost no one cared about football beforehand. However now, everyone is super invested in their teams.
But even more critical is looking good during the football season. For so long, the NFL neglected their women’s merch. Even more egregious, all the team apparel for women was hideous.
However, since football has turned over a new leaf…things have improved significantly. Now, it’s about looking trendy this 2024 football season. And I’m here to make sure you do just that.
Here are my favorite women’s NFL apparel picks for 2024:
Abercrombie genuinely has some of the best NFL apparel for both men and women. It’s all on-trend, vintage in the right way, and a fan favorite. Seriously, every girl I know has one of the NFL sweatshirts from Abercrombie.
My roommate has this sweater and swears it changed her life because it’s so incredibly soft. Plus, the designs for your designated team are actually cute. Whether you like the quarterback because he’s handsome or because he can escape a sack like a magician…these sweaters are a staple this football season.
There was a time where only a few stores carried women’s NFL apparel. Since we’re in better days, plenty of women-focused stores now sell NFL gear that you’d actually wear.
This American Eagle Dolphins crewneck is oversized in the best way. Fine to wear with baggy jeans, leggings, a nice skort, or just biker shorts a la Princess Diana. An oversized crewneck is a staple for your closet…so make it NFL-themed.
Junk Food is the go-to for graphic tees and sweatshirts. So it should be easy to find something for your NFL team on this site, because everything is simply adorable.
This thermal is outstanding for everyday wear during the colder months when you’ll be rooting for your fave team (in this case, the Eagles) while still serving looks. Not a fan of the Birds? Don’t fret, they have every team on this site.
Vintage is very in right now, which is why this Buffalo Bills sweater by Tommy Hilfiger is a must-have. With a double v-neck and the red, white, and blue trim, this sweatshirt gives the perfect dose of nostalgia.
Order one a few sizes bigger than your normal and you have an excellent oversized sweatshirt for the fall!
The perfect NFL baby tee does exist, and it’s sold at New Era. With a simple embroidered cursive font and logo, this baby tee doesn’t have a lot going on. But it works with jeans and a leather jacket for a cute gameday fit.
It’s one of the most popular NFL apparel pieces this season for a reason, so get it while you can!
New mother
Hailey Bieber has been the ultimate influencer for just about everyone on the planet. She’s dictated trends like chrome nails, glazed donut skin (thanks, rhode), and even hair color. And if Hailey Bieber uses Kosas concealer, so do we.
Not only does she make a product look easy to use, she’s also a supermodel who knows trends
before the public does. Listening to Hailey Bieber expound about trends is the smart thing to do.
But one thing I am confident about is the fact that I cannot afford
Hailey Bieber’s entire wardrobe. Yes, she may be the inspiration for our capsule closets and obsession with basics…she’s also a multi-millionaire. And I, sadly, am not.
That’s not going to stop me from aspiring to a supermodel-caliber closet on a regular salary. In fact, since
Hailey celebrates the basics so much, it actually makes her style affordable to recreate. No one can tell if Hailey’s tee is Prada and mine is H&M…
If you’re going to emulate a celebrity’s style, it’s key to invest in pieces where quality makes a visible difference like leather jackets or dresses. But ultimately, we’re looking to shop smarter and save money.
Hailey Bieber has iconic outfits that we all can easily achieve, so let’s look into how to get her look for less!
Hailey’s All White Moment
Hailey is blessed. Even while pregnant with son, Jack Blues Bieber, she can wear regular-sized clothing. But what I especially like about this outfit is that it works for multiple occasions and looks terrific on all body types.
Here are some great options for a similar Hailey-inspired look:
And, of course, there’s the bag. A Birkin knockoff by YSL is awesome, but even then, still too pricey. Luckily enough, the market’s glutted with Birkin dupes that are more affordable.
An Easy Fall Trench Look
Honestly, this is such a fantastic look that’s easily put together with essential items already in your closet: a white tank, trousers, and trench coat. What Hailey does best is make basic look thrilling. And an easily achievable look.
Plus, a trench coat is a necessity when it comes to fall weather. It’s one of the most underrated outerwear pieces for the fashion lover. A trench coat and heels says corporate, it gives off an official vibe that I love.
If you want this ensemble, here are a few close-to-identical pieces:
Now that we’re suddenly transitioning into fall weather, we need to start thinking about cold weather pieces. If there’s one thing that is
very Hailey Bieber, it’s an oversized leather jacket.
She’s constantly photographed with a big leather Balenciaga bomber jacket — upwards of $6,000. So while we can’t afford Hailey’s iconic leather jacket — that she wears with everything — we
can replicate.
These are my favorite leather bombers that are inspired by Hailey:
If you’re partial to the mob wife aesthetic, this one’s for you. When Mrs. Bieber donned this YSL faux fur jacket with a pair of jeans, red pumps, and sunnies, we knew this would be a style inspo pic for many.
Nothing makes you feel sassier than a fur coat. When I wear one, I seriously feel like a runway model hiding secrets in my jacket. Drape it over a dress for added warmth this winter, with leather leggings, or even jeans like HB.
We all love a little black dress. But again, the weather is transitional right now. Great for date night, or dinner with your friends, or just a special occasion in general. I love this dress on Hailey because she lets her accessories do the talking.
Whether you choose to style it with simple jewelry and a chic up-do, or colorful heels and matching bag, with a simple black dress like Hailey’s Bottega Veneta dress you cannot go wrong.
Again, a $2,900 dress isn’t the ideal price tag, I’ve found a few similar looks for far less:
Holiday Season calls for a red dress…I know it, you know it. So let’s get it out of the way early! Have one on deck so you don’t have to stress about it come December.
What amazing about this Hailey look is that she really commits to the all red. Red pumps, red lip, red strawberry earrings, and of course…the red dress.
This Ermanno Scervino Fall 2023 dress is, of course, far beyond our price range. But something like it is certainly achievable. Just look for a structured empire waist and tight bodice on your strapless dress.
Here are a few similar options if you want the Bieber look:
We hail Taylor Swift for many things: her innate musical ability, her consistent chart-topping albums, her drive. And her personal life is something we’ve all been invested in for years, whether it’s her boyfriend Travis Kelce or even her private jet usage, people are obsessed with Swift.
And while the Eras Tour is all the rage right now, selling out in seconds and causing a outright siege on Ticketmaster, I’m not paying attention to surprise songs…or the teasing of the reputation (Taylor’s Version) re-release…I’m fully focused on Taylor Swift’s makeup.
You see, the woman has performed in rain, in the heat of the summer, dancing and charming, and belting out songs for hours upon hours…and her makeup doesn’t move. There’s not a single photo with Taylor’s mascara running down her face, her blush is still intact, it’s actually an anomaly.
Taylor Swift’s makeup routine may be one of the most sought-after recipes in the world. Why can’t we keep our faces in flawless condition, ready for any event or natural disaster that comes our way? It seems unfair.
Well, for one, we don’t have makeup artists and a team of stylists curating the best routine for our faces and skin tones. But, we can take a note from the artists and see what products they use.
Look, I’m not performing for hours on a stage for tens of thousands, but I am going out and sweating my makeup off night after night. And heaven forbid it rains. So, I need to prepare my makeup just like I’m on tour. It’s the only way.
Okay, I’ve done my research and I’m willing to share. If you want Taylor Swift’s makeup routine, here are the go-to Taylor Swift makeup products you need:
The Secret? It’s All Pat McGrath
Pat McGrath is similar to Patrick Ta: both celebrity makeup artists-turned-beauty-brand-gurus who make incredibly viral makeup. There’s a reason they’re two of the most in-demand names in the beauty industry right now.
Tons of celebrities are often seen wearing Pat McGrath thanks to its second skin-like finish and long-lasting wear. Fans have been asking for years for Taylor Swift’s routine, and while it’s never fully been confirmed…we have an idea thanks to some internet sleuths unearthing a number of hints.
Swift collaborated with legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath for the “Bejeweled” music video from her album, Midnights, where McGrath herself even makes a cameo. Not only that, but fans have figured out she’s a regular McGrath fan thanks to the likes of Deuxmoi.
Taylor Swift's makeup routineDeuxmoi via Instagram
So, it’s safe to say that Taylor is exclusively using Pat McGrath makeup products. It makes sense, considering they’re luxurious, premium quality, and highly celebrated by makeup artists.
And while Pat McGrath may be on the pricier end of Sephora products, it’s well worth the money. When shopping for makeup, I use Girl Math. Sure, foundation can sometimes cost upwards of $50…but that’s $50 for six months of wear…or $10 per month! So cheap.
Now that we know the brand and some of the products that Taylor’s rumored to enjoy. Here are a few:
We’re all aware that Taylor opts for a bold red lip, it’s kind of her signature. But don’t be afraid to try the other shades in this collection. While LiquiLUST: Legendary Wear Matte is very Taylor, it’s also great to layer with a gloss.
Pricey, but well worth it. The Sublime Perfection Foundation sets in like a second skin while covering any imperfections or discoloration that you may have. It gives a subtle glow that we all love while remaining full coverage. Plus, it stays on the skin forever.
One of Taylor’s lyrics is literally “dry the cat eye sharp enough to kill a man” so you know when it comes to eyeliner Taylor doesn’t play. Pat McGrath Labs’ PERMA PRECISION liner is silky smooth to use and glides effortlessly over any lid…giving you an easy wing in no time.
What I love about the Skin Fetish Highlighter is that they’re easy to keep in your purse for on-the-go fixes. They pack a major punch when it comes to shine, and you can put it anywhere on your face, including your eyelids for a subtle glimmer look.
While I’m personally not a fan of primer in general, I can’t discount Taylor’s makeup regmen. It endures. It stays on her face through anything, so it’s got to be working. Plus, when you pair the same foundation, setting powder, and primer, it’s going to look cohesive.
I’ve spoken volumes about this palette. While it may be on the more expensive side, it’s definitely worth your money. First of all, consider how often you’re buying eyeshadow. Palettes last a long time, and this highly pigmented one is packed with color.
It’s buildable, blendable, and easy for beginners to use. Plus, the rose shades are amazing.
It’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that the Kardashian family went from reality television stars to a familial empire worth billions of dollars. One of the world’s most hated families, the Kardashian-Jenner Conglomerate is a force to be reckoned with. Led by the passionate matriarch Kris Jenner, the clan is composed of some of the most famous faces in the world.
There’s
Kim Kardashian, the one who started it all. The face of fashion houses like Balenciaga, who has a billion business ventures of her own, never seems to stop working. Her iconic line, “Seems like nobody wants to work these days,” holds true to her ethic.
Then there’s
Kourtney Kardashian-Barker, formerly with Scott Disick in earlier seasons of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. If you caught on to her hyphenated surname, she’s married to Blink-182 drummer, Travis Barker.
To complete the Kardashian side of the family, we have Khloe Kardashian and their under-the-radar brother, Rob. Khloe was previously married to NBA player, Lamar Odom, before having two children with Tristan Thompson (but that’s a whole other scandal.)
But then, there are the two Jenner girls: Kendall and
Kylie. Kendall is a world-renowned fashion model and Kylie, is a makeup guru, potential billionaire, and trendsetter.
The family may be famous (or infamous) for a multitude of reasons, but I know one thing: they’re hard workers. They churn out brand after brand to make more money…and while not every Kardashian-centered enterprise is a success, they keep trying.
Something about me? I love to test the Kardashian brands. I think it’s fun. And since I’ve tried so many, I can tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Here are the best and worst Kar-Jenner brands!
Review: My friends often say I should be a SKIMS representative (and I’m still waiting for the call.) I fell in love with the shapewear-turned-clothing brand years ago, and think there are no more flattering basics than these.
From hot night-out dresses, to slimming shapewear that can be worn on its own, SKIMS is my go-to. And oddly enough, I get the most compliments when I wear SKIMS.
Review: Khloe created Good American to ensure inclusive sizing in denim is available in department stores. While I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend a decent amount of money on a pair of jeans, I had heard great things from my friends…so I purchased a few during Black Friday sales.
Good American denim is high quality, comfortable, and has just the right amount of stretch. They’re among my most flattering jeans — I cannot believe I ever doubted Khloe. All fine denim should be comfy, trendy, and long-lasting, and Good American is all three.
Review: I honestly despise tequila. It will never be my drink of choice…but when it’s the only option, sometimes you cut your losses. When 818 Tequila first started, everyone was drinking it. And somehow, I ended up with a bottle myself.
818 — for someone who absolutely detests most tequila brands — is surprisingly good. It has a light vanilla flavor that cuts the potency of that acrid tequila flavor. I was able to drink it without coughing, spluttering, and wanting to cry — so, good for you, Kendall.
Review: Okay, this one was surprising…because I wasn’t really sold on the idea of one of the Kardashian sisters launching a wellness gummy. But, Lemme has a terrific influencer marketing strategy that has sold me on a few things.
The Lemme Sleep gummy will actually knock you into outer space. If you want to sleep for the next century, try the Lemme Sleep. You’ll get 4-6 business days of rest. I cannot attest to the other Lemme gummies, but these…these work.
@kyliejenner 🤍 skin 🤭 🤍 kylie concealer shade 4.5c 🤍 rhode & kylie blush 🤍 kylie matte eyeshadow palette 🤍 precision pout lip liner shade ‘saturn’ 🤍 supple kiss lip glaze shade ‘rose bloom’ ♬ NIGHTS LIKE THIS - The Kid LAROI
Sister: Kylie
Review: I don’t hate Kylie Cosmetics as much as the next guy…in fact, I think we should give it some grace. While not every product is in my go-to makeup bag, I really love the little blushes.
The formula is smooth, the baby pink was ahead of its time, and you cannot tell me the Lip Kit is not iconic. It may not be the best makeup you’ve ever used, but I wouldn’t toss it in the trash.
Review: Kim, dearest. I cannot afford a $90 Hyaluronic Acid Serum. With the costly price tag of $575 for the Complete Collection of SKKN by Kim, I seriously don’t think I will ever see a SKKN product in real life.
If you’re going to spend this much on skincare, go to the dermatologist and get a clinically curated routine for your skin. I wish I could attest to the life-changing benefits of
SKKN, but I haven’t heard anyone say much about it.
Best Products: Cannot afford to even find out.
WORST: Poosh
Sister: Kourtney
Review:Poosh is your guide to wellness…and Kourtney’s Poosh is filled with product recs, brands that will help you achieve Kourtney’s mindful approach to life, and little guides to wellness.
Of course, there’s the opportunity to shop your heart out after reading. Mostly, Poosh features a plethora of hot products in the home, wellness, beauty, and lifestyle categories. It’s Kourt’s response to Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop! And yes, one of the recs is a $2,000 infrared sauna.
Review:Khy is a drop-based fashion line by Kylie Jenner. Kylie dipped her toe into the fashion world with leather. And while I do enjoy the way some of the pieces look, I haven’t seen many of her leather items look as good in the real world.
However, she’s been switching up the vibe from drop to drop, so I have hope it’s getting better…it’s just, some of the styles are too similar to what SKIMS and Good American sell. So it’s hard to betray those two and go for Khy.
Blake Lively has managed to pull off the impossible. It used to be rare for a television star to make the crossover to movie stardom. From George Clooney to Will Smith, few actors in the 90s pulled off that feat. And while it’s a bit more common now, only a select group have soared from teen drama to A-List status.
In recent years, we can point to stars like
Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Charles Melton as proof that there’s life beyond the soapy high school drama. But let’s be honest: they’d be nothing and nowhere without the original cast of Gossip Girl.
The 2000s drama was ahead of the curve. Shows like
Succession and White Lotus have taken up its mantle by commenting on the lives of the elite from the inside but those prep school kids blazed the trail. And leading the pack, forever changing what we think of Grand Central Station, is Blake Lively.
Decades later, she’s still on top. She’s a beloved A-Lister with an enviable marriage, an even more enviable friend group (Taylor, if you’re looking for more besties look no further), and a thriving career.
But how did she go from preppy headbands to Hollywood royalty? And, even more recently, why does her career feel like it’s always on an insane upward trajectory? Especially when, if we have to admit it, she’s not the
greatest actress around. Likability and beauty can get you far — but Blake’s career is astounding. Is she really all that or is she just... really pretty?
Blake Lively's Rise to Fame
Before she was Blake Lively: Hollywood Icon™, she was still the coolest girl on our screens. Her role in
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was pivotal for millennials everywhere. Alongside America Ferrera (Hey Barbie!), Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, this ultimate girl gang rivaled her current Swift squad. We all wanted to be them. We all wanted to wear her pants.
She retained that mantle of being unattainably cool in her pivotal role:
Gossip Girl.
As Serena van der Woodsen, Lively became the ultimate It Girl. Just like her character, she was the epitome of elite 2000s girlhood. She was like Paris and Nicole with an old-money sophistication. She was all bandage dresses and blowouts both on screen and off. Who didn’t try to recreate at least one of Serena's outfits — and with disastrous results! — in the show’s heyday?
Post
Gossip Girl, Blake faced the stingy choices available to young female stars once their adolescent drama rolled its final credits. For women, the desire to grow up in the public’s eyes leads to a string of sexualized roles. Or, the need to branch out manifests in less-than-successful career pivots — sorry to Leighton Meester’s one song.
While Blake didn’t go any of these routes, she didn’t make the splash she yearned for, either. She did a string of subpar movies that are not worth the watch. She starred as a perpetually beautiful woman who didn’t age in
The Age of Adaline — kind of a reverse Benjamin Button except her biggest problem was staying hot forever. Then she starred in the clunky, Gone Girl-esque thriller A Simple Favor alongside Anna Kendrick. Though critics panned it for its nonsensical plot, confusing characters, and flat acting, it found cult fans on streaming and is even an iconic role for many fans — even recently announcing a sequel (we’ll get to that).
She also had forgettable roles as the hot love interest in films like
The Town, a cult Boston crime film for which she put on an okay Boston accent, and Savages, a movie recently revived by Netflix.
As her most notable works post
Gossip Girl, this isn’t the most robust resume. Yet Blake has retained A-List status. I wouldn’t call her an It-Girl, she’s not out partying or having abrat summer, but every time she steps out, she makes headlines. At this point, she’s known as much for her idyllic marriage with Ryan Reynolds and her friendship with Taylor Swift. Her daughter even has a feature in Taylor Swift’s “Gorgeous” — probably a bigger career credit than anything Blake has appeared in since Gossip Girl.
Meanwhile, many of her
Gossip Girl castmates have found success beyond the series. Penn Badgley stars as the creepy serial killer Joe in Netflix’s You. As one of the streamer’s biggest shows, Penn has been catapulted back into the hearts of audiences everywhere — even if his character isn’t the typical heartthrob. Chace Crawford is subverting his pretty-boy looks in The Boys on Amazon, another smash hit series. His character, The Deep, is disturbed and dumb, and played with a brilliant blend of criticism and compassion by Crawford, who doesn’t merely rely on his looks … though he definitely could.
Not to mention her
Sisterhood co-star America Ferrera starring in Barbie, the hottest movie of last summer, and being nominated for an Academy Award. Not her first award buzz, never forget Ferrera’s Emmy-nominated turn as Betty Suarez in Ugly Betty, one of the most addictive shows of the 2000s.
With everyone else in her orbit going on to transcend their roots and prove their actual talent, why hasn’t Blake done the same? And however has she managed to stay the most relevant? So the question is: Is she actually a solid actress, or are we all just distracted by how outrageously gorgeous she is? It's like when your crush says something and you laugh even though it wasn't funny. Are we all just crushing on Blake Lively?
Blake Lively Is The Queen of the Met Gala: Why did she skip Met 2024?
Testament to her enduring A-List status, Lively is one of the people’s favorites at The Met Gala, which she generally attends with her husband year after year. As one of the biggest and most exclusive annual events on the planet, only a handful of celebrities are invited to the Met steps each and every year. Blake is one of the lucky few.
Usually, the invite list is determined by who was most relevant that year. Whose press tour dominated culture and fashion headlines? What musicians were everywhere? Who were the industry It-Girls? Lively hasn’t fit that bill since the 2010s, yet there she is, smiling on the Met Steps each and every year.
It makes some sense when you consider how viral Lively’s looks go every year. She’s an easy muse — so designers never miss when dressing her. Therefore her absence at the
2024 Met Gala was remarkable. Many were hoping she’d revive the success of her most memorable gown from the Heavenly Bodies exhibit. But alas, nothing. Some speculated a falling out with Anna. Others, another pregnancy. Or was Blake finally just … uninvited?
Turns out, she was just busy being a mom and working on her various projects. I’ll admit, I was skeptical when I heard this. What projects? Lively’s biggest projects are The Met and
Kansas Chief’s games. Sometimes I think she’s as much of a nepo bestie as Travis Kelce is a nepo boyfriend. But I recently ate my words. Blake Lively has a stacked Q2 — proving we too can finish the year strong even if we were lagging in the first half.
Blake's Been Busy: Everything Blake Lively has been up to in 2024
So what are all these projects Lively is so busy with? Surprisingly, a slate of blockbuster films and a brand new business. She’s already embarked upon various press tours, which is why she’s everywhere right now.
Her most prominent, and controversial, venture for the year: starring in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s blockbuster
It Ends With Us. This BookTok favorite is divisive to say the least. While Colleen Hoover’s genre of easy-to-read romantic fiction went viral, the literati aren’t a fan. The main point of contention: the writing is stinko. But to each their own. And on this particular book, Hoover’s critics are accusing of profiting from abuse and trauma because the film romanticizes an abusive relationship.
Yet, the power of BookTok compelled the studios to adapt this novel into a big budget movie starring Lively alongside Justin Baldwin, known for
Jane The Virgin. For a minute, thanks to last year’s succession of strikes, it looked as though the movie might be scrapped. Call it Lively’s luck, but production continued against all odds and here we are: moments away from its big premiere.
Watch the Trailer for It Ends With Us here:
But that’s not the only press tour Blake is on. She joined her husband Ryan Reynolds on the press tour for
Deadpool and Wolverine, even upstaging Reynolds and his co-star Hugh Jackman with her look for the final premiere.
Alongside Gigi Hadid, she appeared on the red carpet at
Lady Deadpool. Little did we know, this was a hint of things to come. In case you forgot (I definitely did) Lively had a brief role as Lady Deadpool in the canonically awful Green Lantern films. She kind of reprised the role as the voice of Lady Deadpool in this new movie — just one of many cameos and Easter eggs in Marvel’s latest bloated action flick.
When not campaigning for wife-of-the-year, bestie of the year, or promoting
It Ends With Us, she’s been filming the much-awaited sequel to A Simple Favor. She and Anna Kendrick have reprised their roles: mysterious Hot Mom (Lively, obviously) and Bored Mommy Blogger (Kendrick in an abundance of floral sundresses and wedges).
This sequel comes so long after the original because, despite the initial bad reviews, it found another life on streaming platforms. So, get ready to comfort-watch or hate-watch when it comes out — I'll be doing both.
But Blake isn’t only trying to pump some much needed life back into her acting career. She’s enetered her Business Mogul Era. She’s already founded the brands Betty Buzz and Betty Booze and now she’s branching into beauty. Known for her scorching flowing locks, why
wouldn’t she make a haircare brand?
The collection is called Blake Brown Beauty after her maiden name — which Reynolds joked he only just found out. Priced at $25 and under, Blake Brown Beauty is launching exclusively in Target to corner the affordable haircare market. The line consists of shampoos, masks and styling product. If there's one thing the world needs more of, it's celebrity beauty brands, right?
Promising to give the world that Blake Lively shine, the brand is a departure form many DTC celebrity beauty ventures, such as Cecred by Beyonce, Rate Beauty by Selena Gomez, or Hailey Bieber’s rhode. Instead, Blake is doing what she does best: going for mass appeal. It’s worked so far, might as well bet the house (or the hair) on it. But let's be real, unless her shampoos come with a personal stylist and a Hollywood paycheck, we might just be setting ourselves up for disappointment.
This approach is similar to another celebrity whose success Blake takes major cues from: Jennifer Aniston. Before there was Serena, there was Rachel. From inspiring trends to becoming the people’s princess, Aniston and Lively have a lot in common. Namely that they’ve built gigantic careers on an average amount of talent. Pretty privilege is really kind to some.
Now, I’m no hater. I love looking at beautiful people as much as the next person. But as we brace ourselves for a Blake resurgence, someone
has to say it: she’s prettier than she is talented.
The truth is, Blake Lively, like Jennifer Aniston, has found her niche. She's good at being likable, at being the girl next door (if the girl next door lived in a mansion and was married to Deadpool). And in Hollywood, that's a skill in itself.
So, is Blake Lively overrated? Maybe. Is she the second coming of Meryl Streep? Probably not. But is she good at what she does? Absolutely.
At the end of the day, Blake Lively is like that really pretty, really nice girl from high school who you want to hate but simply can't. She's not changing the world, but she's not trying to. She's just out here, living her best life, making us all wish we could pull off headbands and making Ryan Reynolds Instagram posts slightly more tolerable.
So here's to you, Blake Lively. You may not be perfect, you may not be revolutionary, but damn it, you're doing your thing. And sometimes, that's enough.
So while I won’t be tuning into her latest slate of films or buying her beauty brand, I’ll be enjoying her press tour simply for the opportunity to decide which of her looks hit, and which of them miss.
Abercrombie
Junk Food
NFL Shop
New Era
Taylor Swift's makeup routineDeuxmoi via Instagram
POPULAR NEWS
