What started as a casual PR moment with Blake Lively baking doughnuts turned into a bizarre and unexpected twist in her legal feud with co-star Justin Baldoni.
A small doughnut shop in Wilton, Connecticut — Rise Doughnuts — suddenly found itself at the center of online backlash, health code scrutiny, and fan-fueled controversy.
A Hairnet Controversy Sparks a Health Department Probe
It all began when Blake Lively paid a visit to Rise Doughnuts and jumped behind the counter to bake — without wearing a hairnet.
While the moment was meant to be light-hearted and promotional, fans weren’t so amused.
Social media erupted with criticism, labeling the act “unsanitary” and “gross.”
The Wilton Health Department received anonymous complaints, many of which mirrored negative Yelp reviews.
These complaints led to a formal investigation into the shop’s sanitary practices.
Health Officials Say There’s No Violation
Despite the fuss, the health department didn’t find any wrongdoing.
According to a document obtained by TMZ, no food safety codes were broken, and no fines were issued. The case was officially closed.
But the damage had already been done — not by the health department, but by the internet.
Trolls Hijack Yelp With Negative Reviews
What followed was a storm of bad Yelp reviews — not from customers who’d ever stepped foot in the bakery, but from online trolls rallying behind Baldoni or Lively, depending on the side they took in the legal drama.
Some claimed to find hair in their doughnuts, while others quoted FDA guidelines to call out the business.
Yelp had to intervene. An “Unusual Activity Alert” was placed on Rise’s page, temporarily disabling new reviews.
The alert acknowledged that the page was being monitored due to increased attention from media coverage.
Blake’s Team Speaks Out
A source close to Blake Lively told TMZ that these complaints were clearly coming from people who had never even visited the shop.
“Targeting a lovely, small, family-owned business is a new low in the retaliation campaign,” the source said.
Blake had previously posted about her time at the doughnut shop on Instagram, sharing behind-the-scenes snaps and calling it her “happy place.”
The Bigger Picture: Legal Battle Still Raging
This controversy is just one side story in a much larger — and messier — legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
It all started back in December when Blake filed a complaint accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation during the filming of It Ends With Us.
That was followed by a $250 million libel lawsuit from Baldoni, targeting the New York Times over their coverage of her claims.
Then came another suit — this time for $400 million — accusing Blake, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist of civil extortion and defamation.
Accusations, Denials, and a Trial on the Horizon
Both parties have denied all allegations. A federal trial is already scheduled for March 2026 in New York.
Court documents claim that Blake, who reportedly demands creative control over her film projects, took over various production departments for It Ends With Us.
Baldoni’s legal team accuses her of using the threat of non-participation in promotional efforts to exert her influence.
Public Image Takes Another Hit
Blake hasn’t been a stranger to controversy lately. From sarcasm-laced interviews about domestic violence to floral Barbie-themed promotions for a serious movie, she’s rubbed some fans the wrong way.
Most recently, she faced criticism for staging fake fan moments outside a film premiere — allegedly involving friends posing as supporters.
The Rise Doughnuts Fallout: An Unfair Blow?
Meanwhile, Rise Doughnuts is still trying to recover from the unexpected fallout.
Before the drama, the shop had a glowing 4.5-star rating on Yelp.
Now, they’re caught in the crossfire of a celebrity feud that has little to do with them.
Innocent businesses rarely expect to become the battleground for Hollywood legal fights, but here we are — a small-town doughnut shop fighting for its reputation, simply because it let a celebrity stop by for a little sugar and flour fun.
What’s Next?
With court dates months away and emotions still running high, it’s clear this drama is far from over.
As for Rise Doughnuts? They’re hoping the internet moves on soon — and that their $5 craft doughnuts can once again be known for flavor, not feuds.