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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds made their first joint red carpet appearance since their explosive legal battle with Justin Baldoni at NBC's Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special. The Hollywood power couple's attendance marked a rare public outing amid mounting tensions surrounding Lively's allegations against her "It Ends With Us" director and co-star.
During the broadcast, Reynolds addressed the controversy with characteristic wit when Amy Poehler asked about his wellbeing. "Great!" he responded, before adding with pointed concern, "Why, what have you heard?" The moment drew attention to the unprecedented legal battle unfolding between the stars.
The conflict erupted in December 2024 when Lively, 37, filed an 80-page complaint against Baldoni, 41, alleging sexual harassment and coordinated retaliation. Baldoni countered with a $400 million lawsuit targeting both Lively and Reynolds, 48, claiming defamation and extortion. Both parties have vehemently denied the opposing allegations through their legal representatives.
Recent court documents reveal escalating tensions. Lively's legal team has issued subpoenas to major telecommunications companies AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, seeking phone records from Baldoni and his associates. Her spokesperson stated these records would "expose the full web of individuals who were involved in the smear campaign." Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, dismissed the move as a "massive fishing expedition."
The controversy has rippled through Hollywood, with industry figures taking sides. Comedian Amy Schumer publicly declared "I believe Blake" on Instagram following The New York Times interview where Lively first voiced her accusations. Baldoni has since sued the newspaper for defamation, which The Times denies.
Settlement appears unlikely, according to a joint letter filed to Judge Lewis Liman. Legal teams for both parties stated that "settlement discussions would be premature," setting the stage for a trial scheduled for March 2026. As the case progresses, Baldoni's team has released text messages and launched a website detailing his version of events, claiming Lively attempted to seize control of the film's production.
