“Toxic” Blake Lively’s “Disgusting” PR Stunt At Donut Shop Triggers Health Department Investigation

Blake Lively is under fire again, but this time it’s due to unsanitary conditions at a Connecticut donut shop.

The It Ends With Us star visited Rise Doughnuts in Wilton just last Sunday but her practice of not wearing a hairnet while she baked has sparked an official investigation into the establishment. 

On social media, she gushed, “Baking with genius food friends and their kitchen mixer the size of a car. This is what my happy place looks like…”

But it certainly isn’t a happy place for the business’s customers.

Blake Lively’s “PR stunt” at a donut shop has sparked health and safety investigations

Image credits: blakelively

Image credits: blakelively

A spokesperson for Wilton Health Department has confirmed that they’ve received multiple complaints due to Lively working in the kitchen without a hairnet. Additionally, the actress did not wear a hat or hair-tie to keep her blonde locks from falling all over the donuts. 

Rise Doughnuts is currently under investigation. According to Daily Mail, it is still unclear on what possible health code violations, sanctions, or fines could be enforced on the owners Hugh Mangum and Laura Malone, who acquired what once was a pizzeria in 2022.

The company, which currently has an impressive 4.5 out of five star rating on Yelp, has been excused from any new reviews since “this business is being monitored by Yelp’s Support team for content related to media reports.”

The actress had not worn a hairnet or any kind of tie to prevent her blonde locks from falling in the donuts

Image credits: blakelively

Linda! Blake Lively surpreendeu alguns fãs ao trabalhar atrás do balcão da loja de donuts Rise Doughnuts, em Connecticut, no domingo, 30 de março.

“Assando com amigos geniais da cozinha e sua batedeira do tamanho de um carro. É assim que meu lugar feliz se parece.” pic.twitter.com/s16LIXFhsw

— Blake Lively Brasil (@BlakeLivelyBR) April 1, 2025

But some people’s honest opinions seem to have still made their way through and safe to say, they’re not happy with the donuts. 

One Yelp user J.J. said, “Is it the practice at this doughnut shop to allow employees handling the food to wear their hair loose & hang a few inches above a tray of doughnuts? Why don’t your employees have to wear hairnets? This does not seem sanitary.”

As reported by the outlet, one user named Stephanie T. seemed to have been one of the people to report Rise to the health department after their visit on Sunday, saying they “found long, stringy hay-like hair in my doughnuts,” adding, “Perhaps it was from the loud, annoying blond woman working behind the corner.”

Image credits: Jonathan Bailey

Another by the name of Wendi C. stated, “No matter who is baking or serving, food safety guidelines need to be followed. Friends shouldn’t be hanging out in the food prep areas, leaning on equipment and not having their hair up.”

Yiyi Z. wrote on the app, “Found a hair in my doughnut, would not recommend. Do the workers not have hygiene training before serving food?”

Many people on Yelp flocked to the app to claim they had found hair in their treats

Image credits: Yelp

Image credits: Yelp

As per the FDA Food Code, one person claimed, “These basic food safety standards are not followed. Recent pictures and video show no one in this establishment follows protocol. Health inspector has been notified.”

One video that Rise Doughnuts posted on Instagram on October 11 seemed to be evidence of such, where the staff could be seen around the treats with no hairnets. 

Many people believe this was Lively’s attempt at a PR stunt, given the current ongoing legal battle between her and Justin Baldoni.

Image credits: BlakeLivelyBR

BREAKING: Blake lively spotted at
A cafe working behind the counters. PR damage control for Ryan parenting of kidpool and using profanity cover up?

Not working Blake! pic.twitter.com/EJq4lRH76I

— Hanz – Fashionista Era (@fashionistaera) March 31, 2025

“Hard to look ‘cute’ during your PR stunt when your [sic] wearing a hairnet,” one person said.

Another slammed the company itself, “They brought this to themselves. What were they thinking of bringing this narcissist in.”

“Tearing down a small business who was just trying to make it. All for petty drama,” a third criticized. “The world is so cruel. The donut shop didn’t deserve this just cause yall are hating her for the moment.”

Image credits: BlakeLivelyBR

Multiple outlets have reported how important it is for bakers to tie their hair back or use hair nets, especially when serving the public. 

As seen in Bison Life, hair nets are seen as “protective gear” in the food industry, meant to keep goods safe from contamination. Any loose hair, no matter how clean, can carry bacteria, which may spread to customers. 

It is still possible for a few strands to sneak their way out, but hair nets greatly limit the amount. 

“It is essential for food industries to keep all foreign particles, including hair, out of their food products. Outfitting employees with hair restraints, like hair nets, and making them understand the importance of wearing them for food service is a significant part of the program,” the website reads.

Comments slammed Lively for her “toxic” PR behavior