Blake Lively Steps Back Into The Spotlight Amid Legal Battle
Blake Lively made a dazzling return to the red carpet, stepping out for the star-studded SNL50: The Anniversary Special in New York City on Sunday, February 16. The event marked her first major public appearance since filing a lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star, Justin Baldoni.
Arriving hand-in-hand with husband Ryan Reynolds, the actress, 37, was also joined by director Paul Feig. According to sources, Blake was feeling “nervous” but also “excited to be out with friends and support Saturday Night Live” as it celebrated its milestone anniversary.
Blake, who previously hosted SNL in 2009, was seen mingling with a host of Hollywood A-listers, including Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Dakota Johnson, Ben Stiller, and Paul McCartney.
One particularly heartwarming moment came when Blake shared a hug with Amy Schumer, who had previously shown her support by posting “I believe Blake” in December. “It sounded like she was lending support,” an insider revealed.
During the show, Reynolds took part in a comedic bit from the audience. When Tina Fey playfully asked, “How’s it going?” Reynolds shot back with, “Great, why? What have you heard?” sparking laughter from the audience. The quick-witted exchange seemed to subtly acknowledge the ongoing legal drama surrounding Lively and Baldoni.
Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December, accusing him and others of sexual harassment and retaliation. He has denied the allegations and countersued Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist in January, claiming defamation and extortion. Lively’s legal team has dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuit as “meritless.”
Despite the controversy, Lively is staying focused on her career. Her highly anticipated film, Another Simple Favor, a sequel to the 2018 thriller with Anna Kendrick, is set to open the 2025 SXSW Festival on March 7 in Austin, Texas.
