Reynolds explained that he and Lively, who have been married since 2012 and share four children, are doing their best to give their kids a normal life away from the spotlight. He said, “We try to give them as normal a life as possible. I try not to impose upon them the difference in their childhood to my childhood or my wife’s childhood.”
He continued, “We both grew up very working class,” adding that he used to think, "I would never have had a gift like this when I was a kid" or "I never would’ve had the luxury of getting takeout."
However, his statement has raised eyebrows, with fans pointing out that while Reynolds' parents had working-class jobs—his mother was a retail worker and his father a policeman—Lively’s upbringing was much more affluent. Lively grew up in a wealthy neighborhood in Los Angeles, with her father being a successful actor and director and her mother an actress and talent manager.
Many took to social media to criticize Reynolds' choice of words, calling him “ignorant” and questioning his understanding of what "working class" truly means. One user commented on Instagram, “Quick search: She grew up in Tarzana and then went to Burbank High. Her whole family was in the entertainment business. It’s giving at least middle class.”
Others compared Reynolds' comments to a moment in the David Beckham documentary, where Victoria Beckham was called out for claiming to come from a working-class background despite her family’s wealth.
Lively, who has recently faced criticism for her role in It Ends With Us, also had to defend herself from accusations of being "mean" and making controversial remarks in old interviews. Many fans believe her attempt at a relatable image may not be resonating well.
The debate continues as Reynolds and Lively work to raise their children in the public eye while balancing their careers.