Jameela Jamil Clarifies Stance on Feminism Amid Texts Critical of Blake Lively
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Amidst ongoing legal battles and the release of private communications, Jameela Jamil is addressing public perception of her feminist views. The actress responded to media coverage sparked by previously private text messages expressing harsh criticism of Blake Lively, as details from Lively’s lawsuit against her It Ends With Us director and co-star, Justin Baldoni, become public.
The lawsuit, filed in December 2024, alleges sexual harassment and retaliation and is scheduled to go to trial in May. Recently unsealed court documents have revealed a trove of private communications, including text exchanges between Lively and Taylor Swift, emails to Ben Affleck, and depositions from co-stars Jenny Slate and Isabela Ferrer, offering a deeper look into the dynamics surrounding the film.
Texts Reveal Critical Remarks
The controversy stems from a private text exchange from August 2024 between Jamil and Jennifer Abel, Baldoni’s publicist who also represents Jamil. The pair were responding to a TikTok video that questioned the sincerity of Lively’s comments during the It Ends With Us press tour, given the film’s sensitive subject matter of domestic abuse. In the exchange, Jamil reportedly texted about Lively, “She’s a suicide bomber at this point.” She also added, “I’ve never seen such a bizarre villain act before.”
These messages quickly gained traction after being reported by outlets like TMZ, which suggested Jamil’s “feminist, women-first image may be taking a serious hit.”
Jamil Defines Feminism as Political, Not Personal
On Thursday, Jamil took to her Instagram Stories to offer her perspective. She shared a video clarifying that feminism does not require universal affection or agreement among women.
“Guys, feminism means fighting for the political, social and economic equity for women,” Jamil stated in the video. “Just gender equity. It does not mean you have to like every single woman. It doesn’t mean you have to be friends with every single woman. It means you can actually beef with other women. You can criticize them. You can do whatever you want, as long as you are also fighting for their human right to the same things that men have in this world.”
She continued, emphasizing the core principles of the movement. “That’s all feminism is. It’s a moral and political stance. It is not a sleepover where we braid each other’s pubes, OK? So if you are fighting for women’s rights, but you don’t get along with every single woman, it doesn’t make you a bad feminist.”
A Broader Context of Accomplishments
Jamil’s statement arrives as she continues to build a successful career in entertainment. She is known for her roles in critically acclaimed series such as The Good Place, She-Hulk, and Poker Face, as well as the recent Netflix film People We Meet on Vacation. Additionally, Jamil has a voice role in Pixar’s Elio, which received a nomination for best animated feature at the Oscars on Thursday.
Jamil’s clarification underscores a nuanced understanding of feminism, positioning it as a commitment to systemic equality rather than a requirement for universal female solidarity.
