Many online users accuse the former 'Gossip Girl' star of 'money grab' after she launched her alcohol brand called Betty Booze while she is not a drinker herself.
- Jun 29, 2023
AceShowbiz - Blake Lively's new business venture didn't get a warm welcome from online users. The "Gossip Girl" alum was launching her own booze brand, but instead of making fans excited, she was accused of "milking alcoholism."
The 35-year-old promoted Betty Booze via Instagram. Sharing photos of herself serving cans of her sparkling cocktail brand, she wrote, "Drinking isn't my thing. But for f* sake, flavor is. Homemade recipes. Real fruit. Real ingredients. Quality booze. No crap. Also a real time saver. Which is why I really did it. @bettybooze."
The post has since been flooded with criticism. "Really tired of the celebs milking alcoholism when they know it's toxic and dangerous and don't drink themselves. Money grab from the Celebs," one person commented, with another echoing, "If drinking really isn't your thing (which you're very vocal about) how about some NA options? Otherwise you're just in it for the money."
A third asked, "How can you market/create a product you don't openly consume yourself? come the f on now." A different individual penned, "What a confusing way to promote your alcohol, by saying drinking isn't your thing." Someone else chimed in, "So she's smart enough not to drink alcohol but wants people to spend their $ on alcohol so she can get richer?"
Despite the negative remarks, some people came to Blake's defense. One in particular was her model pal Gigi Hadid, who replied, "Drinking ain't your thing but when u make a drink for someone else, best bet they're having a good time (me, I'm someone else)."
Back in September 2021, Blake launched the sparkling mixer Betty Buzz. In a press release, she disclosed how she honors her father Ernie Lively, who died of cardiac complications, with her business venture. "My dad's name was Ernest Brown Jr. but he was known as Ernie Lively," she first explained.
"He gave up his last name when he married my mom, [Elaine Lively], and any success he, or I, have experienced has been in a name that isn't his. So when I was working hard to build this company, I wanted any success to be in a name that was meaningful to him," she continued. "Betty was his mom and his sister's name. Also, Ernie would not be the best name for a mixer."
