
Blake Lively stuns at premiere amid lawsuit drama with Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds made a stylish appearance at the Another Simple Favor premiere in New York City on April 27, 2025, amid Lively's ongoing legal battle with director Justin Baldoni.
The event, held at Jazz at Lincoln Center, celebrated the sequel to the 2018 film A Simple Favor, directed by Paul Feig and co-starring Anna Kendrick.
Blake Lively, 37, wore a pale mint draped gown with geometric cutouts, accessorized with colorful jewelry, while Ryan Reynolds, 48, opted for a sharp gray plaid suit. The couple posed together on the red carpet, showcasing their continued public solidarity.
Getty
The Another Simple Favor premiere comes just days after Blake Lively was honored at the 2025 TIME100 Gala, where she acknowledged the challenges of the past two years during her speech. Lively's legal dispute with Justin Baldoni began in December 2024, when she filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign. Baldoni has denied the allegations and countersued Lively, Reynolds, and others for $400 million, with a trial scheduled for March 2026.
Despite the ongoing legal issues, Lively continues to promote her projects and receive recognition for her work. During a panel appearance following the TIME100 Gala, Ryan Reynolds praised his wife's resilience, calling her strength "profound" and her coping mechanisms "amazing."
Another Simple Favor is set for release later this year, and anticipation is high as Lively and Kendrick reunite for another stylish thriller.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Judge dismisses Justin Baldoni's $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
A federal judge has dismissed actor and director Justin Baldoni's $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, marking a significant development in the legal feud stemming from the 2024 film It Ends With Us. The ruling, issued Monday by Judge Lewis J. Liman, also included the dismissal of Baldoni's $250 million libel suit against The New York Times. Baldoni, who co-starred and directed the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel, had alleged that Lively, Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane defamed him in connection with Lively's civil rights complaint filed in December 2024. The complaint included allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, and a smear campaign during and after the film's production. Baldoni, who has denied the allegations, filed his countersuit in January. According to court documents obtained by multiple outlets including Page Six and CNN, Judge Liman determined that Lively's complaint was protected by legal privilege under California law, which shields such statements made in civil rights proceedings. Additionally, the court ruled that Baldoni failed to show that Reynolds, Sloane, or The New York Times acted with 'actual malice' or seriously doubted the truth of the statements in question—criteria necessary to sustain a defamation claim. The court allowed Baldoni until June 23 to amend two claims: breach of the implied covenant of good faith and tortious interference with contract. These claims relate to alleged disruptions to existing agreements and potential reputational damage involving Reynolds and Lively. In a statement to Page Six, Lively's attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, called the decision a 'total victory and a complete vindication.' They further criticized Baldoni's lawsuit as a 'sham' and stated their intent to pursue attorneys' fees, punitive damages, and treble damages. While Baldoni's legal team did not immediately respond to requests for comment, the broader legal battle remains active, with a trial date set for March 2026.


Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Judge dismisses Blake Lively emotional distress claims against Justin Baldoni
A federal judge has ruled that Blake Lively's claims for emotional distress against Justin Baldoni will no longer be considered in their ongoing legal battle. The decision comes amid heated exchanges between the parties over Lively's refusal to turn over medical records relevant to the emotional distress allegations. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman denied Baldoni's motion to compel Lively to provide a HIPAA release for access to therapy notes and other medical documents. The judge's order was based on Lively's representation that she intends to withdraw those specific claims. However, the court declined Lively's request to dismiss the claims without prejudice — meaning she could potentially refile them later — without a formal agreement with Baldoni's side. If the claims are not dismissed, the court will bar Lively from presenting any emotional distress evidence. According to court filings, Baldoni's attorneys argued that Lively sought to drop the emotional distress claims without releasing her medical information, thereby preventing the defense from disproving those claims. They accused Lively of attempting to preserve the right to refile after discovery closes while refusing to disclose evidence. Lively's legal team, led by Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, dismissed the motion as a 'press stunt' and criticized Baldoni's lawyers for abusing court procedures. They stated that Lively's withdrawal of the claims was voluntary and that she still intends to pursue emotional distress damages through other allegations, including sexual harassment and retaliation. The dispute arises from a lawsuit filed by Lively in the Southern District of New York, where she alleges Baldoni sexually harassed her on the set of the 2024 film It Ends With Us and retaliated against her with a smear campaign. Baldoni has countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, seeking $400 million in damages for extortion and defamation tied to a New York Times article. Currently, six related lawsuits concerning the events surrounding the film are active across various courts. The ruling marks a significant development in this complex, high-profile legal conflict.


Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Blake Lively says emotional distress claims against Justin Baldoni remain amid conflicting statements
Blake Lively is refuting claims that she has dropped her emotional distress allegations against It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni, despite statements from his legal team and email exchanges indicating otherwise. The dispute centres on her 10th and 11th causes of action, related to intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, filed in her December 31 lawsuit. In a letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman, Baldoni's lawyer Kevin Fitz of Meister Seelig & Fein stated, 'Ms. Lively's counsel recently advised us, in writing, that Ms. Lively is withdrawing her IED Claims.' The claims are linked to a broader request by Baldoni's team for medical and mental health records, including HIPAA authorisations. Lively's team responded firmly, rejecting this as a misrepresentation. Her attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, said, 'This is a routine part of the litigation process that is being used as a press stunt,' adding that Lively 'continues to allege emotional distress' through other claims, including sexual harassment and retaliation. Baldoni's lawyers argue that Lively must either dismiss the emotional distress claims with prejudice—preventing refiling—or comply with discovery requests. 'She can't have it both ways,' Fitz asserted, asking the court to compel Lively to produce medical documentation. Lively's legal team has not confirmed whether an amended complaint is forthcoming. They maintain her core claims and potential for further damages remain active and substantial under California law. With a trial date set for March 9 2026 and damages exceeding $400 million at stake, the legal back-and-forth continues to unfold.