Blake Lively, known for her glamorous red carpet appearances and beloved film roles, recently stunned fans with an unexpected career twist—trading couture gowns for an apron and gloves. The Gossip Girl star was spotted behind the counter at Rise Doughnuts in Wilton, Connecticut, taking part in the daily grind of donut-making. But while many fans celebrated her down-to-earth charm, one small but controversial detail caught the internet’s attention.

Onlookers and fans were surprised to find the 37-year-old actress joyfully filling donuts, chatting with customers, and fully engaging in the behind-the-scenes hustle of a neighborhood bakery. The scene, captured in several photos and videos on Blake’s Instagram Stories, showed her beaming in a flour-dusted kitchen. “Baking with genius food friends and their kitchen mixer the size of a car,” she captioned one post. “This is what my happy place looks like.”

Video: Blake Lively’s Donut Shop Controversy: Fans Call Out ‘Disgusting’ Mistake!

Lively has long been open about her love of baking, often sharing her kitchen adventures on social media. From decadent pies to holiday cookies, she’s shown she’s just as comfortable with a whisk as she is with a film script. Her morning at Rise Doughnuts was no publicity stunt—Blake was genuinely all in. According to witnesses, she wasn’t just snapping photos or handing out samples—she was hands-on, prepping dough, filling pastries, and working alongside the staff like a pro.

Her donut debut wasn’t a solo act, either. She teamed up with celebrity chef Hugh Mangum, a winner of Chopped and BBQ Brawl, to develop a signature treat: a bourbon rhubarb cream cheese donut. Blake posted a clip of the creation process and joked, “Earning my keep filling our concoction together this week.”

In one photo, she posed with a perfectly glazed Boston Cream donut and joked, “I must know what this donut’s skincare routine is.” In another, she proudly showed off trays of freshly prepared pastries and quipped about her early call time: “I’d travel far and wide for these things. And maybe even get up at 5 a.m. on a Sunday to work there.”

Fans visiting the shop were thrilled to see her in person, with many snapping selfies and praising her friendliness. But while the overall reaction was positive, some eagle-eyed viewers pointed out a detail that sparked a wave of online debate: Blake was not wearing a hairnet.

Photos and videos showed her working with her long hair loose—hanging freely as she leaned over trays of donuts and stood near mixers. One user commented, “No hair net over those donuts or over the mixer? Ew.” Another added, “Holding a tray of donuts with your mouth wide open, hair down, and armpit out? Gross!”

The backlash intensified with criticism of potential health code violations. “Our restaurant would have gotten written up by the health department for that,” one person said. “You can’t have loose hair in a prep area, and definitely no eating or drinking while you’re cooking.” Another commenter chimed in, “I guess celebrities don’t have to follow food safety rules.”

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That said, not everyone was quick to judge. Some fans came to Blake’s defense, noting that none of the staff appeared to be wearing head coverings either. “What about the guy next to her?” one person asked. “His beard and hair aren’t covered either. Doesn’t anyone in that kitchen wear protective gear?” Others argued that the environment seemed more casual than a full-scale commercial kitchen, suggesting the criticism may have been blown out of proportion.

Despite the controversy, most fans focused on Blake’s authenticity and willingness to get her hands dirty—literally. It’s not every day you see a Hollywood A-lister rolling up their sleeves and filling donuts at a local shop. And for many, the takeaway wasn’t about hairnets or hygiene—it was about how refreshing it was to see a celebrity stepping into a real-world setting with enthusiasm and humility.

Blake’s time at the donut shop added another layer to her public persona—one that goes beyond glamour and Hollywood glitz. Whether she’s launching a sparkling mixer brand, raising four children with husband Ryan Reynolds, or baking early in the morning for fun, she continues to show that she’s far more than just a red carpet fixture.

While the internet may be divided over the missing hairnet, there’s no doubt that Blake Lively made an impression. She reminded us that celebrities are real people who love food, mess up, and wear aprons just like the rest of us. In a world obsessed with perfection, sometimes it’s the down-to-earth moments that leave the biggest impact.