Blake Lively stunned as Ryan Reynolds jokes about Justin Baldoni scandal at SNL50: 'He nearly gave Blake a heart attack'
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds made a high-profile return to the spotlight at
SNL50: The Anniversary Special
, but it was Reynolds' sharp-witted joke about the Justin Baldoni scandal that grabbed attention.
During a comedic bit with
SNL
icons Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Reynolds, 48, stood up from the audience alongside Lively, 37, and quipped,
"Great—why, what have you heard?"
The remark, seemingly referencing the ongoing legal drama surrounding
It Ends With Us
, immediately set social media on fire.
One user commented on X,
"Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively have a huge set of balls. They went on #SNL50thAnniversary just to make fun of bullying Justin Baldoni right before they go to trial for bullying Justin Baldoni. Are they crazy?"
Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively have a huge set of balls. They went on
— Stephanie Sidley (@StephanieSidley)
Others picked up on Lively's reaction, with one fan noting,
"The funniest part of Ryan Reynolds speaking with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey was Blake Lively looking terrified bc sis did not know what was going to be said."
The funniest part of Ryan Reynolds speaking with Amy Poehler and Tine Fey was Blake Lively looking terrified bc sis did not know what was going to be said
— T (@theycallmeT_04)
The couple's attendance at the event marked their first major public appearance in nearly two months, following a legal storm in which Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, while Baldoni hit back with a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane.
While Reynolds' joke landed with some of the
SNL
audience—including A-listers like Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Kim Kardashian—others saw it as an ill-timed attempt to downplay serious allegations.
A fan on X reacted,
"Ryan Reynolds nearly gave Blake Lively a heart attack at the #SNL50thAnniversary show."
Another user criticized the show itself, saying,
"How sweet of SNL to try and do damage control for Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively—but it won't work."
Ryan Reynolds nearly gave Blake Lively a heart attack the
— Pirate Hunter (@sevenseasprod)
Despite mixed reactions online, the couple appeared unfazed as they mingled with Hollywood's elite.
As the legal battle between Lively and Baldoni intensifies—with Baldoni's team releasing private communications to bolster his claims—Reynolds' lighthearted approach to the controversy has only fueled the conversation. With trial dates looming, the Hollywood drama is far from over, and fans are watching closely to see how it unfolds.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Baldoni's defamation case against Lively rejected
Lively accused Baldoni of harassment during filming of It Ends With Us. Photos: File A New York judge on Monday dismissed Justin Baldoni's $400 million countersuit against his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively, marking a major legal victory for the actor and her allies in a highly publicised dispute that has rocked Hollywood since late last year. As per Variety, the ruling from Judge Lewis Liman threw out Baldoni's claims of extortion and defamation, brought in response to Lively's December 2024 lawsuit against the actor and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, in which she alleged sexual harassment on set and subsequent retaliation. The lawsuit stems from tensions on the set of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestseller, where Lively starred as Lily Bloom and Baldoni served as both co-star and producer. The film's release was overshadowed by allegations Lively first made public in a New York Times article, before formally filing her complaint in court. Baldoni had responded with a sweeping defamation countersuit not only targetting Lively, but also her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and the New York Times. He alleged that Lively orchestrated a campaign to damage his reputation and sabotage the film's release, including threats to withdraw promotional support unless demands were met. But in a sharply worded opinion, Judge Liman rejected the basis of Baldoni's legal arguments. "The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her lawsuit, which are privileged," Liman wrote. He further ruled that Lively's actions amounted to "legally permissible hard bargaining," not extortion. As for the $250 million suit against the New York Times, the judge said Baldoni failed to show that the publication acted with actual malice. "The Times reviewed the available evidence and reported, perhaps in a dramatised manner, what it believed to have happened," the opinion read. Following the ruling, Lively's legal team released a statement hailing the decision as "a total victory and a complete vindication." The statement also noted the dismissal extended to all parties named in Baldoni's lawsuit, including Reynolds, Sloane, and the Times. On Instagram, Lively responded to the ruling with a message of solidarity: "Like so many others, I've felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit," she wrote. "While the suit against me was defeated, so many don't have the resources to fight back." Baldoni has been granted the option to amend and refile parts of his complaint related to alleged interference with contractual agreements by June 23. The decision comes just a week after Lively voluntarily withdrew two of her claims against Baldoni — those relating to emotional distress — in what her lawyers said was a procedural narrowing of the case. With a trial still expected next year, the legal and reputational fallout from It Ends With Us continues to unfold, casting a long shadow over a film once positioned as a prestige project.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Justin Baldoni's lawyer calls Blake Lively's legal win a false victory
Actor and director Justin Baldoni's lawyer has broken his silence after a judge dismissed Baldoni's $400 million countersuit against Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist. Attorney Bryan Freedman released a statement on June 10, calling the court's decision a 'false' victory for Lively. 'This case is about false accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation and a nonexistent smear campaign,' he said. 'Ms. Lively's own claims are no truer today than they were yesterday.' Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed most of Baldoni's claims, including extortion, defamation, and libel. However, the court allowed Baldoni's legal team the option to amend four out of seven claims, with a deadline of June 23. Freedman said the revised claims will present new evidence and refined allegations. He also confirmed plans to take Lively's deposition. The legal dispute began when Blake Lively accused her It Ends With Us co-star and director of misconduct on set. Her claims were found to be protected under California's anti-SLAPP law, a statute designed to shield victims who speak out under the #MeToo movement. While Lively's legal team called the ruling a 'total victory,' Baldoni's team pledged to press on. The trial is currently set for March 2026. As the case unfolds, both sides remain committed to defending their positions in what has become one of the most high-profile legal battles in Hollywood.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Blake Lively steps out after speaking against lawsuit dismissal, vow to advocate for all women
Blake Lively made a poised public appearance at Chanel's annual Tribeca Film Festival Dinner in New York City just hours after a federal judge dismissed Justin Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit against her and husband Ryan Reynolds. Photo: GC Images Lively wore a white crochet dress and smiled for photos before entering the venue, marking her first public outing since the ruling. 'Last week, I stood proudly alongside 19 organisations united in defending women's rights to speak up for their safety,' she wrote on Instagram. 'Like so many others, I've felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us.' Though victorious in court, Lively highlighted the struggle many face without resources. 'While the suit against me was defeated, so many don't have the resources to fight back,' she said. 'I'm more resolved than ever to continue to stand for every woman's right to have a voice in protecting themselves.' Lively ended her message with: 'I will never stop appreciating or advocating for you.' Photo: Instagram She urged followers to support advocacy organisations including the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the National Organization for Women. The case began in 2024 after Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during production of It Ends With Us. Baldoni denied the claims and filed a countersuit, which Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed on 9 June. Some legal claims may be amended by June 23.
