Photo Credit: Getty Images
Blake Lively recently paid heartfelt tribute to her mother, Elaine Lively, acknowledging her role in nurturing her creativity and resilience. On June 5, the actress took to Instagram Stories to share a photo of herself holding a bouquet, writing, "Grateful to my mama for always doing creative things with me. Even when she was working nonstop and had zero time. She always told me I 'couldn't mess it up,' when I very much could." She added, "What a lifelong gift that creative empowerment and trust has been. Most of my passions come from, or thanks to, her."
The gesture came amidst Lively's ongoing legal battle with It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni. The actress, who played a florist in the 2024 film, filed a lawsuit in December 2024 accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, fostering a hostile work environment, and orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign. Baldoni denied the allegations and responded with a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, citing civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. Both parties have denied each other's claims, and a trial is scheduled for March 2026.
Despite the legal conflict, Lively took a moment to reflect on more personal matters during her speech at the TIME 100 Gala in April, where she was honored as one of TIME's most influential people. "I have so much to say about the last two years of my life, but tonight is not the forum," she said, choosing instead to focus on her mother, Elaine, who attended the event.
Speaking candidly, Lively revealed, "My mom never got justice from her work acquaintance who attempted to take her life when she was the mother of three young kids years before I was born." She credited a radio broadcast for saving her mother's life. "The woman painfully and graphically shared how she escaped... My mom is alive today. She was saved by a woman whose name she'll never know."
Reflecting on her mother's strength, she said, "I've watched her conceal her raw and undeserved shame my entire life," adding, "Never underestimate a woman's ability to endure pain." She concluded by thanking "every man, including my sweet husband, who are kind and good when no one is watching."
