Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds make public appearance at ‘SNL50' despite ongoing legal battle
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds made their first public red carpet appearance together at the SNL50: The Anniversary Special amid their ongoing legal dispute with Justin Baldoni.
The couple joined a star-studded lineup at the New York City event, celebrating 50 years of Saturday Night Live.
While Reynolds previously attended the National Board of Review Awards last month, Lively has remained largely out of the public eye following her sexual harassment lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, her It Ends With Us co-star and director. In December 2024, Lively accused Baldoni of misconduct and an alleged smear campaign against her. Baldoni's legal team has dismissed her claims as 'categorically false.'
Court filings reportedly include texts and emails between Baldoni and his PR team, outlining efforts to damage Lively's reputation following on-set tensions. In response, Baldoni filed defamation lawsuits against both Lively and The New York Times, alleging false reporting. His lawsuit also accuses Reynolds of mocking him through the Nicepool character in Deadpool & Wolverine.
The couple's appearance at SNL50 has sparked speculation about their involvement in the special, though it remains unclear if they participated in the broadcast or simply attended as guests. The event, airing on NBC and Peacock, features high-profile guests like Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Miley Cyrus, and Tom Hanks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Blake Lively seeks to block Taylor Swift involvement in Justin Baldoni legal case
Blake Lively has requested a protective order to block Justin Baldoni's legal team from pursuing her communications with former friend Taylor Swift, as tensions escalate in their ongoing legal battle. According to court documents obtained by Daily Mail, Lively's attorneys argue that Baldoni's team is using Swift and her fanbase as a media tool in the dispute. Lively, 37, is entangled in a sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni, 41, and has claimed that his legal team is employing aggressive tactics, including attempts to involve Swift unnecessarily. Her legal counsel, Esra Hudson, contends that Baldoni and his associates previously claimed to have secured communications from Swift's team in exchange for withdrawing subpoenas, yet have refused to produce the materials. 'This is a tactic to draw attention and weaponize Taylor Swift's name in the public eye,' Hudson wrote. Lively's lawyers say Swift was targeted as early as August 2024 by Baldoni's crisis PR firm, led by Melissa Nathan, which cited Swift's fanbase in a 'Scenario Planning' document as a public relations factor to 'take extremely seriously.' The protective order filing came after social media rumors claimed Swift had recently deleted Instagram posts featuring Lively, sparking speculation about their relationship. Swift's fans quickly refuted the claim, noting the posts were removed years ago during a marketing campaign for her 2017 Reputation album. Additionally, Lively has subpoenaed Scooter Braun and his company HYBE, seeking records related to Nathan's PR work for Baldoni. Braun, who famously clashed with Swift after acquiring her master recordings, was included as part of Lively's broader legal strategy. While Swift recently regained ownership of her early recordings and announced plans to release her debut album's rerecorded version, she admitted in a fan letter that rerecording Reputation has been delayed. She explained that the album was deeply tied to a specific period in her life, making it difficult to revisit creatively. Representatives for Swift and Baldoni have not publicly commented on the latest developments.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Michael Rapaport casting in Traitors Season 4 draws backlash over controversial past
Peacock's announcement of The Traitors Season 4 cast has sparked backlash, particularly over the inclusion of actor and comedian Michael Rapaport. While the show is known for bringing together an eclectic group of celebrities, many fans have voiced concern about Rapaport's past controversial remarks. Rapaport is among 23 stars confirmed for the upcoming season. However, his addition has not been well received by viewers due to his history of using racially charged language and sharing far-right commentary on social media. Social media users quickly expressed disappointment. One post read, 'Amazing Traitors cast sans Michael Rapaport. He's a piece of sh*t and it's extremely annoying that Bravo and Peacock keep giving him a platform.' Another user wrote, 'Peacock and NBC continuing to platform Michael Rapaport as he spews bigoted hateful ideology is so dangerous. I desperately need him to be the first murder.' Despite the backlash, some cast choices have been praised. The season will feature five Real Housewives stars, including Dorinda Medley, and several prominent LGBTQ+ personalities such as Monet X Change, Kristen Kish, and Johnny Weir. Still, fan criticism of Rapaport continues to dominate the online conversation. Comments like 'Traitor or not, banish Michael Rapaport first,' reflect a widespread desire for his early exit from the show. The Traitors has enjoyed popularity and acclaim, but Rapaport's casting has introduced a contentious note heading into Season 4. With fan backlash mounting, Rapaport's future on the show — or in any future seasons — remains uncertain. The Traitors Season 4 is expected to premiere on Peacock in 2026.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Pope Leo XIV's surprising connection to Justin Bieber and Madonna revealed in new report on family ties
Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected head of the Catholic Church, has an unexpected connection to pop music legends Madonna and Justin Bieber. According to a report by The New York Times, the Pope shares a distant ancestor with these two stars, linking him to the world of pop culture. This family connection traces back to Louis Boucher de Grandpré, a Canadian-born ancestor from Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The Pope's shared lineage ties him not only to Madonna and Bieber but also to other notable figures, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, actress Angelina Jolie, and writer Jack Kerouac. The discovery came as part of a broader family tree research on Pope Leo XIV, who was elected following the death of Pope Francis in May 2025. Madonna's link to the Pope adds a layer of irony, as the Vatican has previously criticised her, especially after the release of her controversial 'Like a Prayer' music video in 1989. The video, which featured provocative imagery, sparked significant backlash from the Church. In contrast, Justin Bieber has long been open about his faith, frequently referencing his religious beliefs in public. The "Peaches" singer is a member of the Christian church Churchome and often shares his spiritual thoughts with his followers on social media.
