Blake Lively speaks of 'uplifting' others 'to live boldly' after being listed among 100 most influential people
Blake Lively has praised those who 'uplift' others to 'live boldly' after being named one of TIME's 100 most influential people of 2025.
Brushing off her recent legal dramas, the 37-year-old actress spoke of the importance of being given a 'voice.'
It comes amid a difficult year for the Hollywood star, who is embroiled in a nasty legal dispute with Justin Baldoni, her co-star on It Ends With Us.
Blake brushed off the ongoing scandal as she took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday.
She wrote: 'Thank you for the honor. I'm able to see this moment, almost looking back from the future, or looking ahead from childhood, and from every time period I can see how profound this is to me.
'Not just to be included, but to have a voice. It's a fortunate thing, when it should be a given.
'So thank you to @time and to each of you who uplift the many who live boldly, even when it's scary.'
She also thanked civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill - who was head of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund when Blake and her husband Ryan Reynolds gave $1 million to the organization in 2019 - for providing a glowing tribute in honor of her.
'Thank you @sherrilynifill for your words. Since the day I met you, you have shown me grace, kindness, curiosity, wisdom, strength, knowledge and the power of the female fire to illuminate in times of darkness,' she continued.
'You constantly illustrate how connected we all are and can be when division feels like the only ending.
'Thank you for your light, your fire, your work and your words.'
The Gossip Girl star featured in the Titans section alongside the likes of tennis star Serena Williams, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and podcast star Joe Rogan.
Netflix chief Ted Sarandos, fashion designer Miuccia Prada, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, and Palantir CEO Alex Karp also received recognition.
In her testimonial, Sherrilyn hailed Blake as a 'philanthropist' and a 'serious person' who was 'committed to move this country forward'.
'I don't know the Blake Lively of the red carpet. Or the Met Gala. I never watched Gossip Girl,' Sherrilyn wrote.
'The Blake Lively I know is a philanthropist and a student of our country's most intractable problems. She and her husband Ryan Reynolds reached out in 2019 to make a contribution to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.'
'I'm always curious about the kind of research famous people do before they make that cold call to offer their support,' she added.
'The ones I have remained in relationship with are those who, like Blake, really did their homework.'
Sherrilyn wrote that she 'admired immediately her curiosity, and her sincere work to understand the conditions that shape this country.'
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Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Blake Lively's gushing post to her personal trainer who Justin Baldoni allegedly 'fat-shamed' her to
Blake Lively penned a gushing post to her personal trainer Don Saladino - who Justin Baldoni allegedly 'fat-shamed' her to. The Gossip Girl alum, 37 - who recently assembled a group of activists to accuse Baldoni of 'abandoning' the MeToo message - joined the fitness coach to plug her brand Blake Brown Beauty. It comes amid her ongoing legal drama with Baldoni - and only days after it was revealed that she dropped claims that her It Ends With Us co-star and director had caused her emotional distress. Lively reposted a reel that was originally shared to Saladino's Instagram page as he tried to guess which Hair and Body Mist that her husband Ryan Reynolds wears. She then added the message: '@donsaladino I love you buddy. Despite your inability to identify any notes in our new @blakebrownbeauty Hair & Body Mist. 'You've kept me strong and confident in my body for the past 15 years. Through 4 pregnancies and post partum. Action movies. Major life events. Daily life. You are steady and kind and are made of rock solid integrity.' Blake concluded with, 'I'm so proud to have you and Mel in my life... Get you a best buddy who knows your husband's smell.' The video was also uploaded to Don's main Instagram page and in the caption, the personal trainer wrote how 'proud' he is of the actress. 'Blake I'm so proud of you,' he began. 'The Blake Brown line is absolutely incredible. I hope that everyone tries it. Mel and I love you.' Lively's fitness coach was notably dragged into her lawsuit with Justin when she claimed that Baldoni had 'fat-shamed' her to Saladino by asking him about her weight amidst filming It Ends With Us. Back in February 2023, Justin was introduced to the fitness coach by Blake as he prepared for a leading role in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel. According to Baldoni, he was going to get advice from Saladino - such as 'nutrition and exercise' - due to his back injury. Justin signed up for the personal trainer's meal delivery service but also asked advice when it came to training to help him prepare for a scene where he needed to lift Lively. At one point in the conversation, the director had asked Don about the actress's weight - which he claimed had been in 'good faith' and also a 'reasonable question' to ask a fitness coach. Blake concluded with, 'I'm so proud to have you and Mel in my life... Get you a best buddy who knows your husband's smell' 'Blake I'm so proud of you,' he began. 'The Blake Brown line is absolutely incredible. I hope that everyone tries it. Mel and I love you' Lively's fitness coach was notably dragged into her lawsuit with Justin when she claimed that Baldoni had 'fat-shamed' her to Saladino by asking him about her weight amidst filming It Ends With Us However the following day, Baldoni claimed that he was asked over to Blake's home where he was confronted by her husband Ryan Reynolds. The actor accused Justin of fat-shaming his wife and Baldoni also alleged that Reynolds had screamed: 'How dare you f*****g ask about my wife's weight? What's wrong with you?' It was alleged that Ryan requested that the lift scene be taken out of the movie as well. Earlier this year amid the ongoing lawsuit, Saladino edited a post from last year and voiced his support for Lively. He wrote: 'To be clear – Justin Baldoni is not my client. I created a complimentary program for him as a favor to a client. I have never trained him virtually or in person. 'I never met him in person. We communicated via calls & text from January to March 2023. I could not accommodate his schedule, and found him a coach. After an uncomfortable conversation, communication ended.' Don added, 'Not only is Blake my client, she is also my very dear friend. She has treated me with unmatched kindness for over 15 years. Fair weather friends are not friends. 'We love you B. You are always lifting up others. It's why Mel & I love you so much. You have always been there for me. You have always had my back. B, I hope you feel the same.' Earlier this week, a new development was made amid the lawsuit as Blake dropped her claim that Baldoni intentionally caused her emotional distress, after his legal team demanded to see medical proof. A new court filing, exclusively obtained by shows the embattled actress has also withdrawn a second claim of negligent infliction of emotional distress and try to avoid having to share her health records with Justin's legal team. But there was a sting in the tale for Baldoni – who now has two fewer claims to defend himself from – after the actress demanded to drop the claims without prejudice, meaning they could be refiled. The attempt has prompted a new round of legal letters, with Baldoni's team angrily insisting the mom-of-four is trying 'to have it both ways' and demanding that she comply with their 'reasonable' request to see her medical documents. An insider told that Lively's lawyers had hoped to quietly ditch the emotional distress elements of the lawsuit to dodge having her records scrutinized. Lively had claimed that the emotional distress allegedly inflicted on her by Baldoni had 'severely impacted her physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing' – all of which could show up in her health records if true. Lively's team has responded to request for comment: 'Once again this is a routine part of the litigation process that is being used as a press stunt. 'We are doing what trial lawyers do: preparing our case for trial by streamlining and focusing it; they are doing what they do: desperately seeking another tired round of tabloid coverage. 'Ms. Lively continues to allege emotional distress, as part of numerous other claims in her lawsuit, such as sexual harassment and retaliation, and massive additional compensatory damages on all of her claims.' Although the actress has now dropped the emotional distress claims, Baldoni will still have to defend himself over her other claims which include sexual harassment and the orchestration of a smear campaign against her. Justin is also pursuing a $400m countersuit of his own that also claims defamation and accuses the glamorous blonde of damaging his reputation and career. The withdrawal is the latest twist in a tsunami of legal developments that in recent weeks has seen the warring pair battle it out over his attempt to subpoena her one-time bestie, Taylor Swift. The Grammy winner was dragged into the saga in January due to a now-notorious claim by Baldoni that Lively referred to the megastar and husband Ryan as 'my dragons' and threatened to unleash them upon him if he refused to go along with her changes to a scene. According to a legal letter sent along with the subpoena, Lively allegedly threatened to leak a decade's worth of text messages if Swift failed to issue a statement in support of her. Lively's team quickly hit back and denied the claims, and also demanded the subpoena be withdrawn – a request later granted by Judge Lewis Liman. Subpoenas against Lively and Reynolds were upheld and the actress is facing a deposition, although that too is the subject of wrangling due to her reluctance to be grilled by Baldoni's lawyers. The dropping of the emotional distress claims is yet another legal setback for the actress, who has been the subject of a deluge of negative headlines for months and has seen her friendship with Swift publicly deteriorate. She has also faced scrutiny over some of her team's legal maneuvers, among them a shell lawsuit filed in October that was used as the basis to subpoena publicist Stephanie Jones for a phone used by her former employee Jennifer Abel. has also revealed that Baldoni has added a powerful female litigator to his legal counsel who could make a 'meaningful difference' to his acrimonious battle with Lively, according to insiders – and she has an unlikely connection to Taylor Swift. Ellyn S. Garofalo, who previously worked with Venable LLP – the law firm used by Swift – has joined Baldoni's side as part of the Wayfarer legal team in a move that has prompted fans to question the singer's involvement in the ongoing war. Garofalo, who worked at Venable LLP from 2018 until 2021, reportedly joined Baldoni's team 'after Venable was able to get the Taylor subpoena tossed.' 'For Ellyn to join the counsel is huge,' an insider exclusively told the Daily Mail. According to her biography, Garofalo is a seasoned trial attorney with over three decades of courtroom experience. Her focus is on 'civil, criminal, and regulatory matters, including SEC enforcement actions,' and she has previously worked on high-profile cases involving Anna Nicole Smith and Alyssa Milano. 'Baldoni's team is thrilled because of her track record in the courtroom,' the insider said of the Pepperdine Law School grad. 'She not only brings exceptional legal expertise but also fulfils their desire to include a prominent female litigator.' News of her involvement comes days after an unnamed insider in Swift's inner circle allegedly provided documented evidence to Baldoni's lead attorney Bryan Freedman detailing how Lively's attorneys had 'threatened to leak' the actress's private exchanges with Swift, in a failed attempt to coerce the singer into publicly siding with her against Baldoni. The Daily Mail exclusively revealed that the 'leaker' was none other than Scott Swift - the singer's 73-year-old father. 'Garofalo was compelled to join the case after reviewing its circumstances, feeling strongly that an injustice was unfolding and that her participation could make a meaningful difference,' our source said. The legal dispute began when Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment. Baldoni has countersued for defamation. Both parties have denied all the allegations against them. Their trial is scheduled for March 2026.
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
How Sydney Sweeney's sexy new single life will ‘DOUBLE her £40m fortune' with her raciest ever stunts
A newly-single Sydney is leaning into her sexy image with brand campaigns and ad deals - and it's paying off nicely SWEENEY WAD How Sydney Sweeney's sexy new single life will 'DOUBLE her £40m fortune' with her raciest ever stunts Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AS an actress, she's got Hollywood at her feet - with bigwig directors lining up to work with her, and a slew of movies in the pipeline. But Sydney Sweeney isn't just resting on her laurels on set. 15 Sydney Sweeney has cemented herself as a Hollywood sex symbol Credit: Getty 15 She split from her fiancé Jonathan Davino in February Credit: Getty 15 Since then, she's leaned into her pin-up status - even releasing a soap made from her bathwater for 'dirty little boys' Credit: The Mega Agency Instead, the very savvy star is cashing in on the side with enough money-making brand deals to fund a small nation, and she's leaving no doubt as to what those deals all hinge upon: her irresistible sex appeal. After all, while Hollywood is built on beauty, there are few stars who can fully embody that bombshell energy of yesteryear - in the guise of Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren - and become a brand unto themselves in the process. Yet Sydney manages to toe that line - and it's no coincidence that she's fully embraced her sexiest, and most marketable, self yet in the wake of her relationship ending earlier this year. According to brand and culture expert Nick Ede, the 27-year-old knows what her selling power is. And with her single status now confirmed to the world, she's leaning into that bachelorette image. Hollywood bombshell 'She's a modern-day sex symbol - and it feels like brands are really buying into her,' Nick tells us. 'They want to be associated with her, and they love the fact that she's single because it means she's potentially obtainable to guys. "Meanwhile, women feel like she's more relatable because of the likely heartbreak she's had, so they want to support her too. 'There's lots of opportunities in this from a branding point of view - and with 25m Instagram followers, she's got a lot of influence!' Last week, the Euphoria star confirmed reports that had been circulating since February, that, after seven years, she'd broken up with fiancé Jonathan Davino. Speaking to The Sunday Times Style magazine, she said she was now single, adding, 'I'm learning a lot about myself, spending more time with my friends. And I'm loving it.' Sydney Sweeney looks incredible as she makes FOUR outfit changes in one day to promote new movie Echo Valley 15 Amid her break-up, she posed with a hot air balloon and told fans, 'Only up from here' Credit: Instagram/sydney_sweeney 15 She walked the carpet alone at the Met Gala in May Credit: Getty 15 She's also been posting some sexy shots on Instagram in the wake of her split Credit: Instagram/sydney_sweeney And one thing she's seemingly learnt about herself is that she's a highly valuable commodity, who can command big figures from companies begging her to promote them. Indeed, over the past few months - and coinciding with her break-up - Sydney has aligned herself with more brands than ever, fronting their ad campaigns and posting branded content to her social media. Big brand deals Some of her recent brand partnerships include the likes of MiuMiu, HEYDUDE shoes, Armani makeup, Samsung, Laneige, Kérastase, Ford and Dickies. Meanwhile, her recent - very tongue in cheek - campaign for Dr Squatch, which saw her release a range of soap made out of her own bathwater, proves the fact that she knows her sexy image sells. Joking that the idea was born from 'dirty little boys' who 'wouldn't stop asking' for her used bathwater, Sydney cheekily posed for the men's soap company in a bathtub. Would she have done so willingly if she were still engaged? Possibly. But she couldn't fully represent that attainable fantasy to her mostly male market with a ring on her finger. She owns herself and she owns the way she looks Brand and culture expert Nick Ede 'When she was still in her relationship, it didn't really feel like she was being so overtly sexual with her social posts, and she wasn't doing as many brand collaborations,' says Nick. 'But now that she's single again, and she's not getting married, it feels like she's come out of that spell. Now, she's out there, and she's owning it. 'I think that's what's great about her - she owns herself and she owns the way she looks. 'She's a bit like Sabrina Carpenter - they both own their sexuality and it's up to them what they push and what they don't push.' Of course, this isn't the first time that Sydney has leaned into her desirability to earn the big bucks. In 2023, she starred in the romcom Anyone But You - but it was the press tour to promote the movie that had fans running to the cinemas, as they couldn't get enough of Sydney's 'are they - aren't they' chemistry with co-star Glen Powell. The pair have both been open about how they harnessed the rumours surrounding their relationship to feed fans' frenzy, and ultimately guarantee box office success. To that end, they happily flirted for the cameras and cosied up together on red carpets - despite the fact that Sydney was still coupled up with Jonathan at the time. Clearly, the actress isn't afraid to ham it up for the cameras - and also blur the lines between film and reality. As Nick tells us, she's 'not pretentious nor prissy' when it comes to press and publicity, and she enthusiastically embraces her image as a pin-up. 15 Starring in an ad campaign for Miu Miu Credit: Instagram/sydney_sweeney 15 She's also promoted Kérastase alongside fellow pin-up Emily Ratajkowski Credit: Instagram/sydney_sweeney 15 Leaning into the romance rumours with Anyone But You co-star Glen Powell Credit: The Mega Agency She even fashioned a T-shirt last year that read: 'Sorry for having great t**s and correct opinions' across her chest - in response to some complaints about her sexualised image. What's important to note is that - while bombshells of the past like Marilyn Monroe were beholden to others, including film studios and directors - Sydney is fully in control of her image. On camera, she hasn't shied away from her sexy looks in the past - especially with envelope pushing roles in Euphoria and the erotic thriller The Voyeurs. But, given that - up until recently - she was engaged in real life, it was confined to make believe. Now, her sexy image seems more real than ever, and brands are clearly buying into the narrative… which is, ultimately, Sydney's bottom line. Money minded As the actress herself has explained, she's driven to make a lot of money, which comes from her parents' financial struggles during childhood. When she was 16, her parents, Lisa and Steven, had to sell their home in Washington, forcing the family (she has one younger brother, Trent) to live in one bedroom together in a Holiday Inn hotel for eight and a half months. Three years later, her parents filed for bankruptcy. Since then, she's been determined to make a better life - both for herself and her parents - and has grafted hard to up her earning potential. 15 Posing with her parents, Lisa and Steven, and brother Trent at the latter's graduation Credit: Instagram/trent_sweeneyy 15 She and Trent had to share a bedroom with their parents after they were forced to sell the family home Credit: Instagram Clearly, her efforts have paid off. While Sydney earned $2m to star in Anyone But You, she's since upped her film fee to around $7.5m - earning her a reported net worth today of approximately $40m. And she spends it well, admitting she's 'obsessed with Zillow' (America's version of Rightmove), and has invested in a highly lucrative property portfolio that includes homes in Bel Air, Los Angeles, Florida Keys, and several more properties in the Pacific Northwest. She also has a vintage car collection - which she last added to with a $68,500 Fiat Jolly. Meanwhile, the savvy star has also cemented herself behind the camera in Hollywood, producing Anyone But You and her recent film Immaculate. She's also producing her two upcoming movies - The Housemaid, and an untitled biopic about the boxer Christy Martin. However, as she herself has previously said, the acting and producing gigs only go so far - especially in today's economy. 'They don't pay actors like they used to,' she said in 2022. 'And with streamers, you no longer get residuals'. On brand That's where the brand deals come in. According to Nick, Sydney's massive following - which eclipses most actresses working today - guarantees her a sizeable income from sponsored content. That means that, the way things are going, she could easily double her fortune in no time. 'She could absolutely double it - I think she could be making hundreds of thousands per post,' he explains. 'She's wearing clothes from the likes of Miu Miu and jewellery from De Beers - ultra fabulous stuff. 'And she recently did a deal with Samsung Galaxy - deals like that can bring in six figures, definitely. 15 Yet another ad campaign - this time for Armani Beauty Credit: Instagram/@armanibeauty/@sydney_sweeney 15 Posing for Samsung Galaxy - in a deal that could be worth six figures Credit: Instagram 'With 25m followers, she's up there with the Kardashians. Sydney's really captured the zeitgeist.' As for where she goes from here, the sky's the limit for the star - who's somehow achieved the impossible: straddling the worlds of old Hollywood and new-age social media. Some stars in the past have tried and failed to be both commercial and respected in acting circles, but Sydney's somehow struck that balance. If she were a mediocre actress, she couldn't have done this Nick Ede According to Nick, her brand comes down to some excellent strategising and talent management. 'If she were a mediocre actress, she couldn't have done this,' he says. 'Look at Megan Fox, who kind of ruined her career because her sexuality came before her acting. 'Sydney's different - she's got really great range, and also has that respect of Hollywood, which allows her to do these brand deals. 'She's very clever - and the team behind her must be really clever as well. Everyone understands what she's doing. 'She's peppering the deals with movies and she's not over-saturating in either arena - that means we'll keep buying into her.' As for where she goes from here, it seems the sky's the limit for Hollywood's ultimate It Girl. She'll soon be starring as boxer Christy - in a film that's already being pegged for Oscar success. Meanwhile, in the meantime, she's proving she's got enough self-awareness - and cheekiness - to cash in on her sex appeal. It seems that, as long as people are happy to buy soap made of her bathwater, she'll continue to sell it. And - in the process - Sydney's cleaning up very nicely indeed. 15 She adopted a dog, Sully, following her relationship split Credit: Instagram/sydney_sweeney 15 Sydney first sexed up her image starring as Cassie in Euphoria Credit: Alamy
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Chris Martin fans baffled by cryptic shout-out to ex Dakota Johnson on stage
Chris Martin ended Coldplay's sold out Las Vegas show with a shout-out to his former partner, Fifty Shades of Grey actress Dakota Johnson, with fans left scratching their heads amid split reports Chris Martin appeared to give a shout-out to his ex Dakota Johnson on Friday night, as he closed Coldplay 's Las Vegas show. The 48-year-old singer has reportedly split with his partner of eight years, actress Dakota Johnson, 35. Fifty Shades of Grey star Dakota is said to be "devastated" by the split, although sources have suggested it was a long-time coming. But ever the amiable ex, Chris made sure he showed support for his supposed former partner's new movie. He was closing the Allegiant Stadium gig, addressing the audience to say: "Thank you so much everybody." He added: "Be kind to yourself, be kind to each other. Don't forget to see Materialists! We love you!" Materialists is Dakota's upcoming rom-com, set for release in August. She plays protagonist Lucy, a young, ambitious New York City matchmaker, who finds herself unable to choose between her 'perfect match' and her imperfect ex. But off the big screen, Dakota's love life has been just as challenging, with the actress' rep forced to deny break-up rumours back in August 2024. On Monday June 2, Dakota was seen out in New York without her engagement ring. But fans have been getting mixed messages, with Dakota and Chris last photographed out together on May 16, in Malibu, California. Before that, when Coldplay were on tour in India, they were spotted holding hands. Neither Dakota nor Chris has confirmed or spoken on the reports yet. But a source has claimed that the rumoured split has hit Dakota hard. Speaking to the Sun, a source revealed: "Dakota wanted this relationship to work. "She not only loves Chris, but his two kids, and that loss feels incredibly painful. The decision to end things was amicable, but Dakota is finding it hard. Over the past year, it became clear that their relationship had stalled and wasn't moving forwards." As Coldplay continue their world tour, Dakota has been working on shoots for Materialists, as well as her other film Verity. The latter is set for release in 2026, and is an adaptation of It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover's novel of the same name. The source added: "Settling down, as in Chris properly taking his foot off the pedal, isn't going to happen. And, ultimately, it was one of the many straws that broke the back of them." Although they have had to shut down split rumours before, the Mail reports that this time, it's the end. An insider told the paper: "They just haven't been able to figure out to make it official. Dakota held a flame for them to be together because she loved him so much and loved his kids so much. "Breakups aren't instant and they continued to breakup and makeup and sometimes things would work when they were away from each other, while they were working because absence makes the heart grow fonder, but then they'd get back together and little things just kept adding up to where they weren't right for each other anymore... Dakota is devastated that she isn't going to be around his kids as much anymore, but wants them to know that she is always there for them." Chris shares those two children with ex Gwyneth Paltrow, whom he married in December 2003. They divorced in 2016, a split Gwyneth described as "conscious uncoupling". Gwyneth, 52, has since gone on to marry writer and producer Brad Falchuk, who she met on the set of Glee when she had a recurring guest role in the musical.
