Embattled Hollywood couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attended the SNL 50th Anniversary Special in New York City on Sunday, marking their first red carpet outing since becoming embroiled in a highly publicised legal battle with It Ends With Us director and actor Justin Baldoni.
The Gossip Girl alum, 37, turned heads in a dazzling silver gown featuring a plunging neckline and intricate metallic floral embellishments. She paired the ensemble with statement earrings and strappy heels. Reynolds, 48, complemented her look with a classic black tuxedo, adding a subtle floral pin to his lapel.
Despite their polished appearance and relaxed demeanor, the couple’s ongoing legal entanglement with Baldoni and the New York Times loomed over the evening.
A Legal Battle That Shook Hollywood
The legal turmoil began in December 2024 when Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, 41, alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign orchestrated by the director and other unnamed individuals.
The Gossip Girl actress accused Baldoni of creating a hostile work environment on the set of It Ends With Us, a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, in which they both starred.
Baldoni swiftly denied the allegations, dismissing them as “baseless and fabricated.” However, Lively’s legal team countered on January 6, 2025, stating that her claims were “serious and backed by concrete facts.” They also accused Baldoni’s camp of employing classic deflection tactics, such as victim-blaming and attempting to portray Lively as the aggressor.
“This is a transparent attempt to discredit and intimidate Ms. Lively,” her lawyers stated. “We stand by the evidence, which will be presented in court.”
The Countersuit: Baldoni Strikes Back
On January 16, 2025, Baldoni escalated the dispute by filing a $400 million countersuit against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist. The lawsuit, Baldoni v. Lively et al., alleges civil extortion, defamation, and intentional interference with contractual agreements. Baldoni’s legal team claimed Lively sought to take creative control of It Ends With Us and, upon being denied, launched a campaign to tarnish his reputation.
“We have extensive documentation showing a pattern of coercion and bullying,” Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, said in a statement. “We are prepared to release all evidence proving that this was an orchestrated effort to damage Justin’s career and personal life.”
The New York Times Enters the Fray
The controversy took an unexpected turn when Lively also filed a separate lawsuit against The New York Times, accusing the publication of defamation after it published an investigative report featuring anonymous sources questioning her credibility. Lively’s legal team argued that the article was “riddled with factual inaccuracies” and was part of a wider smear campaign fueled by Baldoni’s representatives.
In response, The New York Times defended its reporting, stating that it adhered to journalistic integrity and that all sources were vetted.
The Road Ahead
With the case, Lively v. Wayfarer Studios et al., set to go to trial on March 9, 2026, the industry remains divided over the escalating legal battle. Meanwhile, Lively and Reynolds’ appearance at the SNL anniversary celebration seemed to signal their determination to maintain public composure amid the legal storm.
As the courtroom showdown looms, Hollywood watches closely, waiting to see how this high-stakes dispute will unfold.
