Blake Lively may present herself as just another Hollywood actress, but according to a recently resurfaced interview, she prefers to take a hands-on approach once she lands a role.

The “It Ends with Us” star previously admitted to assuming more creative control over her projects after securing a job, a revelation that has resurfaced amid reports of tension with her former co-star and director Justin Baldoni.

The resurfaced clip, taken from Blake Lively’s 2022 appearance at the Forbes Power Women’s Summit, is now drawing fresh attention in light of their reported on-set power struggle and ongoing legal drama.

During the 2022 summit, Lively spoke candidly about feeling unfulfilled by acting alone, explaining that she often wants a greater role in shaping the story beyond simply delivering lines.

“I also knew that wasn’t fulfilling for me, that I wanted to be part of the storytelling, be a part of the narrative, whether that be in the writing, the costume design, creating the character,” she said in the interview, which was recently obtained by TMZ.

She admitted that she often downplayed her creative ambitions during early meetings, waiting until she was already on set to assert herself.

“When I was in the meetings, I was like, I’m just here to be the actor and I’m here to get the gig. I wouldn’t reveal that I needed to have authorship to feel fulfilled,” Lively explained of her plan. “And I feel for them, it felt like a rug pull, and you’re trying to insert yourself into something we didn’t hire you to do.”

The actress also acknowledged that some directors, writers, and producers welcomed her input, while others weren’t as welcoming. “Sometimes I had the director, writers, producers who would welcome that once I was able to offer that, and sometimes I had people who resented that, because they just hired me to be the actor,” she said.

She further reflected on the delicate balance of asserting herself creatively while respecting the existing team’s vision.

“It’s just as important to say, ‘I’m standing up for this, and I believe in this, and that’s why I’m not being difficult,’ and there’s other moments to say, ‘Am I being the a–hole here in the room? What is happening here?’”

As heard in the interview, Lively seemingly initially presents herself as an easygoing actress eager for the opportunity, only for her strong desire for creative control to emerge once production is underway.

The actress also explained that while some film sets are receptive to her creative input, others have been less welcoming, frustrated by her attempts to take on a role beyond what she was originally hired for.

Lively’s comments are now being viewed in the context of her reported behind-the-scenes power struggle with Baldoni on the set of “It Ends with Us.”

The film, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, has been plagued by reports of creative tension, with some sources suggesting that Lively pushed for more control than Baldoni anticipated.

The escalating legal battle between the two is set to go to trial in March 2026, but a federal judge is warning that continued public sparring could push the court date up sooner. “If this case continues to be litigated in the press, I will move up the trial date,” Liman stated, urging both parties to follow legal protocol and avoid influencing public perception.

To prevent further media interference, Liman has ordered both sides to adhere to the New York Rules of Professional Conduct, which prohibit attorneys from making public statements that could sway a jury. Lively’s legal team has accused Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, of making “extrajudicial statements” that verge on defamation.

Baldoni, who both directed and starred in “It Ends with Us,” recently launched a website related to the case, further fueling the legal drama.

The “Gossip Girl” star has accused him of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her, while Baldoni has fired back with a defamation countersuit, claiming that Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, used their Hollywood influence to damage his career.