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Fox News
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick's 'Another Simple Favor' director slams claims the actresses are feuding
As rumors of a feud between Blake Lively and her "Another Simple Favor" co-star Anna Kendrick continue to circulate online after the duo's appearance at the South By Southwest film festival over the weekend, the movie's director is addressing the elephant in the room. On March 7, social media personality Melanie King speculated that Lively and Kendrick were at odds ahead of promoting their film, a sequel to the 2018 movie, "A Simple Favor." "Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick before they walk the red carpet at the sxsw Another Simple Favor premiere. I just reported on Blake being terrified to walk the carpet as Anna is pissed and never wants to work with her again," King wrote on X. Paul Feig, the movie's director, responded by writing,"Um … you're wrong." During the red carpet premiere, Kendrick seemed to give a cryptic response when asked what it was like working with Lively again. "Oh, you know," Kendrick said in a video, shared by Entertainment Tonight. In another video shared by Variety, the "Pitch Perfect" alum was asked how the release of "Another Simple Favor" has been affected by everything going on in the world - seemingly referring to the legal drama between Lively and her former "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni. Kendrick quipped, "Why, what happened? I did ayahuasca, and the last year of my life is just gone." In December, Lively filed her lawsuit against Baldoni and film producer Jamey Heath for sexual harassment, retaliation and emotional distress. She first filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights department and later filed one in federal court in December. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of civil extortion and defamation. In addition to releasing a website detailing the timeline of events that allegedly occurred, Baldoni's team also shared unedited footage from the set of "It Ends With Us." Both Lively and Baldoni have claimed the footage bolsters their respective claims. After the release, Lively's legal team demanded a gag order be issued against Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman. "As Ms. Lively's counsel have attempted, repeatedly, to caution Mr. Freedman, federal litigation must be conducted in court and according to the relevant rules of professional conduct," court documents state. "His conduct threatens to, and will, materially prejudice both the Lively Case and the Wayfarer Case by tainting the jury pool, because his statements are deliberately aimed at undermining the 'character, credibility, [and] reputation' of numerous relevant parties." On Jan. 23, Baldoni's lawyers filed a response, calling Lively's gag order attempt an "intimidation tactic" and "tactical gamesmanship." A judge later ordered that both sides follow the New York Rules of Professional Conduct, which limit speaking to the press. Neither party will be permitted to make statements to the press that have a "substantial likelihood" of prejudicing a jury. However, the legal teams will be allowed to defend their clients in the media against publicity not created by either side. Last week, Lively and Baldoni's legal team battled over a proposed protective order during a 90-minute hearing. WATCH: BLAKE LIVELY'S HIDDEN MOTIVES REVEALED IN RESURFACED CLIP AS LEGAL WAR ESCALATES Lively's lawyers argued for an "attorney's eyes only" designation for evidence in the case, seemingly pushing for text messages with "high-profile individuals" to be kept hidden from the public. Freedman said it was offensive to suggest the team would disregard a protective order from the court. The lawyer pushed back against the "attorneys' eyes only" designation, stating his concern that Lively's legal team was shifting the burden to the defense. Judge Lewis Liman noted that if something relevant to the case was discussed, the defense should be able to discuss and use it. However, the judge did not make a decision on which protective order would be put in place during Thursday's hearing.
Fox News
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'SNL' denies claim Ryan Reynolds wrote controversial joke about Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni lawsuit
Despite a "Saturday Night Live" staffer claiming Ryan Reynolds' joke during the 50th anniversary special was "his idea," a representative for the famed sketch comedy show has denied his involvement. During an appearance on the "Fifi, Fev and Nick" podcast on Tuesday, veteran "SNL" staffer Wally Feresten said Reynolds pitched the joke that poked fun at the ongoing legal drama between his wife, Blake Lively, and Justin Baldoni during rehearsals. "He had a different line in rehearsal, and he pitched that to replace it," Feresten, whose role is to hold the cue cards during every live show, said. "That was his idea." "We wouldn't want to do anything too controversial unless they were in on it," he added. "So, yeah, that was his line. That was his idea to do." Representatives for Reynolds and "SNL" denied this claim. Fox News Digital has also learned that Feresten is not a part of the writing or creative process. During the special, former cast members Tina Fey and Amy Poehler took the stage to engage with celebrities in the audience. When Reynolds stood up, the comedy duo asked, "How's it going?" Reynolds jokingly responded, "Great, why? What have you heard?" He was seemingly referencing the ongoing, and very public, back-and-forth with Baldoni. The response seemed to have caught Lively off guard as she appeared to nervously look up at her husband of 12 years. Despite the attempted joke, some fans were not thrilled with the couple's appearance. "Given this results in an awkward moment that kind of hangs rather than the hosts quipping back with some kind of joke and Blake's facial expression, I don't think this was planned at all. I think Ryan's attention-hungry nonsense caused him to take the chance to go for it," an X user theorized. Others were quick to offer their support, with one user writing, "I thought it was funny. Yall are too serious." "Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively showing up to SNL 50 is bold," another wrote, adding a laughing emoji. In December, Lively detailed allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, intentional affliction of emotional distress, negligence and more against Baldoni and film producer Jamey Heath in a complaint first filed with the California Civil Rights department and later in federal court. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, accusing them of civil extortion and defamation. Not long after filing his lawsuit, Baldoni and his team released unedited footage from the set of "It Ends with Us" that they claimed refutes Lively's previous accusations of sexual harassment. However, the actress' legal team claimed that the footage bolsters Lively's allegations. After the release, Lively's legal team demanded a gag order be issued against Baldoni's lawyer. On Jan. 23, Baldoni's lawyers filed a response, calling Lively's gag order attempt an "intimidation tactic" and "tactical gamesmanship." A judge later ordered that they both follow New York's Rules of Professional Conduct, which limit speaking to the press. On Tuesday, Lively filed an amended complaint that documents a slew of new details in addition to her original claims of sexual harassment, retaliation and infliction of emotional distress. In the 141-page complaint that was filed late Tuesday in New York federal court, Lively claimed there are two other actresses involved with the film that are willing and prepared to detail their own experiences with Baldoni that made them "uncomfortable on set." "The complaint includes significant contemporaneous evidence that Ms. Lively was not alone in raising allegations of on-set misconduct more than a year before the Film was edited; as well as evidence detailing the threats, harassment, and intimidation of not just Ms. Lively, but numerous innocent bystanders that have followed defendants' retaliatory campaign," Lively's attorneys Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb told Fox News Digital in a statement. In response, Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, told Fox News Digital the claim is "hearsay." "Our clients have been transparent in providing receipts, real-time documents and video showing a completely different story than what has been manipulated and cherry-picked to the media," Freedman said in a statement. "Our clients have taken this matter and these issues very seriously, notwithstanding the jokes made publicly by the plaintiff and her husband. Her underwhelming amended complaint is filled with unsubstantial hearsay of unnamed persons who are clearly no longer willing to come forward or publicly support her claims."
Fox News
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds' 'SNL' appearance slammed as fans accuse couple of 'manipulating the public'
As Blake Lively and Ryan Reynold's legal drama with "It Ends With Us" director and co-star Justin Baldoni rages on, the couple got hit with a slew of hateful comments after their surprise appearance at the "Saturday Night Live" 50th anniversary show on Sunday. During the special, former cast members Tina Fey and Amy Poehler took the stage to engage with celebrity friends in the audience. When Reynolds stood up, the comedy duo asked, "How's it going?" Reynolds jokingly responded, "Great, why? What have you heard?," seemingly referencing the ongoing, and very public, back-and-forth with Baldoni. The response seemed to have caught Lively off guard as she appeared to nervously look up at her husband of 12 years. Despite the attempted joke, some fans were not thrilled with the couple's appearance. "How sweet of SNL to try and do damage control for Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively—but it won't work," one person wrote on X. "So natural and hilarious," a fan quipped. "Whoever decided it was a good idea for Ryan Reynolds to do this needs to be fired. Why would he and Blake Lively think this was cute ? He isn't funny and now that we know what a low life he is it just makes him even more cringe than he already was." "The timing of Ryan Reynolds appearing on SNL seems a little convenient. Just another attempt at manipulating the public into buying the 'I'm just a nice, funny guy' act," another wrote. "Given this results in an awkward moment that kind of hangs rather than the hosts quipping back with some kind of joke and Blake's facial expression, I don't think this was planned at all. I think Ryan's attention-hungry nonsense caused him to take the chance to go for it," another fan wrote. Despite the negativity, some were quick to offer their support. "I thought it was funny," one user on X wrote. "Yall are too serious." "Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively showing up to SNL 50 is bold," another wrote, adding a laughing emoji. "Reynolds always delivers the best lines," another user wrote. Representatives for Lively and Reynolds did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. In December, Lively detailed allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, intentional affliction of emotional distress, negligence and more against Baldoni and film producer Jamey Heath in a complaint first filed with the California Civil Rights department and later in federal court. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, accusing them of civil extortion and defamation. WATCH: JUSTIN BALDONI RELEASES UNEDITED 'IT ENDS WITH US' FOOTAGE FEATURING BLAKE LIVELY Not long after filing his lawsuit, Baldoni and his team released unedited footage from the set of "It Ends with Us" that they claim refutes Lively's previous accusations of sexual harassment. However, the actress' legal team claims the footage bolsters Lively's allegations. After the release, Lively's legal team demanded a gag order be issued against Baldoni's lawyer. On Jan. 23, Baldoni's lawyers filed a response, calling Lively's gag order attempt an "intimidation tactic" and "tactical gamesmanship." Baldoni and Lively's legal teams were in federal court recently, and a judge ordered that they follow New York's Rules of Professional Conduct, which limit speaking to the press. Neither party will be permitted to make statements to the press that have a "substantial likelihood" of prejudicing a jury. However, the legal teams will be allowed to defend their clients in the media against publicity not created by either side in the dispute.
Fox News
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Justin Baldoni surfs in Hawaii as Blake Lively legal battle rages on
Justin Baldoni has escaped to paradise as his legal battle with Blake Lively rages on. The 41-year-old actor - who was accused of sexual harassment, retaliation and infliction of emotional distress in a December lawsuit filed by Lively - was seen surfing in Hawaii this week. In a photograph obtained by Fox News Digital, Baldoni seemed relaxed and in good spirits as he casually rode the waves. The vacation comes nearly two months after Lively filed her lawsuit on December 31. Though the actor seems unbothered, sources close to the director told Fox News Digital that Lively's claims have since cost him three jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars. "Justin Baldoni's career is going to nosedive because of this legal battle," Ryan McCormick, a Reputation Management Expert & Managing Partner at Goldman McCormick PR, told Fox News Digital. "It's not because of his acting ability or following," he continued. "Even if all accusations are proven false, I think in the eyes of studios, he's radioactive. Entertainment companies take a risk on each film, not knowing if it will connect with the masses. With Baldoni, there's now added perils of not knowing if another legal battle will manifest with his future co-stars." "In addition, the actor has run awry with one of Hollywood's most powerful couples," he added. "Their sphere of influence goes far beyond what the public sees. I can see Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds subtly letting film studios know that they will not do business with them if they do business with Baldoni." "Also, Lively has 44M followers on Instagram and [Ryan] Reynolds (Lively's husband) has 53 million. Baldoni has 4 million. For all the negative press Lively has gotten in the past year, she can recover from this legal hurricane. Baldoni's brand and marketability have unfortunately been fatally compromised," he concluded. In December, Lively detailed allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, intentional affliction of emotional distress, negligence and more against Baldoni and film producer Jamey Heath in a complaint first filed with the California Civil Rights department and later in federal court in December. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, accusing them of civil extortion and defamation. His team then released unedited footage from the set of "It Ends With Us" that they claim refutes Lively's previous accusations of sexual harassment. However, Lively's legal team claims the footage bolsters the actress's allegations. After the release, Lively's legal team demanded a gag order be issued against Baldoni's lawyer. WATCH: JUSTIN BALDONI RELEASES UNEDITED 'IT ENDS WITH US' FOOTAGE FEATURING BLAKE LIVELY On Jan. 23, Baldoni's lawyers filed a response, calling Lively's gag order attempt an "intimidation tactic" and "tactical gamesmanship." Baldoni and Lively's legal teams were in federal court on Feb. 3 where the judge ordered that they follow the New York Rules of Professional Conduct, which limit speaking to the press. Neither party will be permitted to make statements to the press that have a "substantial likelihood" of prejudicing a jury. However, the legal teams will be allowed to defend their client in the media against publicity not created by either side.
Fox News
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Taylor Swift super fan Nikki Glaser gets real about why she's not following Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni drama
NEW ORLEANS — Nikki Glaser is staying neutral when it comes to the legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. During an interview with Fox News Digital, Glaser, who recently received rave reviews for hosting the Golden Globe Awards, shared that she hasn't been keeping up with the legal drama between the "It Ends With Us" co-stars. "It's too much reading for me," Glaser explained. "Every time I go, 'Let me see what's going on,' I go, 'I don't … I should read an actual book. This is not good for my brain, I don't need this.' So, I don't really know anything, and I think that's the right place to be." Lively initially filed a complaint against Baldoni and film producer Jamey Heath with the California Civil Rights department and later in federal court, detailing allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, intentional affliction of emotional distress, negligence and more. Baldoni later filed a $400 million lawsuit, accusing Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of civil extortion and defamation. Baldoni then launched a website containing a copy of his amended complaint against Lively and Reynolds and a 168-page "timeline of relevant events" highlighting all emails and text messages between the parties he felt were relevant to the case. "Every time I go, 'Let me see what's going on,' I go, 'I don't … I should read an actual book. This is not good for my brain, I don't need this.' So, I don't really know anything, and I think that's the right place to be." Glaser, however, didn't shy away from commenting on other celebrity scandals when she hosted the Golden Globe Awards in January, making light of the case against Sean "Diddy" Combs during her opening monologue. WATCH: Nikki Glaser isn't following legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni because 'it's too much reading' "That movie was more sexually charged than Diddy's credit card," Glaser said. "I know … I'm upset, too. The after-party isn't going to be as good." The comedian also made an appearance at another award show, sharing a table with model Heidi Klum at the Grammys, and even took part in singer Benson Boone's performance. She was tasked with ripping off his shirt to reveal a skin-tight blue jumpsuit. While on the red carpet at the music awards show, Glaser told E! News that while she's a Taylor Swift super fan, she would "not be bothering" Swift during the show and was just excited to see what she was wearing and watch her present an award. Glaser has another opportunity to chat with the "Fortnights" singer while at the Super Bowl, but it doesn't seem like she'll go for it. "I don't think so. This girl, she is so in demand, she doesn't need to meet me. I don't need to be added to her amount of things to do," Glaser explained to Fox News Digital. "I really respect her space and her privacy and her energy, and she's there to watch her boyfriend win the Super Bowl, you know. "She doesn't need me being like, 'I don't know and "Reputation," it came out when I was in a really dark place, and you got me through so much.' Like, she would obviously be so kind to me about it, but she doesn't need that from me at the Super Bowl." WATCH: Nikki Glaser shares she won't approach Taylor Swift while at the Super Bowl Swift will be at the Super Bowl cheering on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, as his team takes on the Philadelphia Eagles.
