Anna Kendrick Responds to Inappropriate Blake Lively Question on ‘Another Simple Favor’ SXSW Red Carpet

At the recent SXSW festival, the premiere of Another Simple Favor captured much attention. However, not all inquiries posed to the cast, particularly Anna Kendrick, adhered to the film’s promotional context, leading to discomfort on the red carpet.

Paul Feig, Kendrick, and co-star Blake Lively attended the event, which was overshadowed by Lively’s ongoing legal disputes. The atmosphere clearly leaned towards maintaining a film-centric dialogue, making it critical for reporters to respect this boundary in their questioning. As a professional who frequently conducts celebrity interviews, it’s vital to understand what constitutes appropriate inquiries during such public engagements.

Interestingly, access to the red carpet appeared restricted primarily to larger media outlets and trade publications, likely as a strategy to mitigate inquiries unrelated to the film. Lively currently finds herself embroiled in a contentious legal matter with her colleague, Justin Baldoni, from It Ends With Us. This ongoing dispute, marred by public exchanges, has kept it at the forefront of media discussions.

In these sensitive situations, media personnel often face restrictions on what they can ask talent. While some adhere strictly to these guidelines—like myself—others may not, leading to uncomfortable moments, as was evident during the promotion of Another Simple Favor.

During an interview with Variety, Kendrick, an Oscar-nominated actress with extensive industry experience and a recent directing credit, was asked how current global events might influence the film. Immediately, Kendrick dismissed the question with wit, quipping, “Why, what happened? I did ayahuasca and the last year of my life is just gone.”

How is the release of “Another Simple Favor”being affected by everything going on in the world? Anna Kendrick: “Why, what happened? I did ayahuasca and the last year of my life is just gone.”pic.twitter.com/NZlB0gcp8l

— Variety (@Variety) March 7, 2025

This Type of Questioning Must Come to an End

While the allure of sensational news is undeniable, particularly regarding what might garner clicks or social media engagement, we must recognize that there are limits, especially when dealing with ongoing legal matters. Even if Lively or her colleagues wished to comment, their ability to do so is stifled by legal constraints.

Questioning Kendrick in this manner not only wasted valuable interview time but also potentially led to truncated discussions. When larger media entities engage in such line of questioning, they may escape consequences, yet the ramifications can ripple throughout the industry. If talent feels that interviews only lead to unwanted or invasive inquiries, they may become reluctant to engage with the press altogether.

It’s regrettable that such breaches of decorum occur, especially in cases where explicit boundaries have been set. While Kendrick navigated the inquiry adeptly, we must collectively strive to refrain from unnecessary provocations and respect the privacy of individuals amid their pressing professional obligations.

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