Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds: How Legal Drama with Justin Baldoni is Shaking Their Marriage

The effect that the legal disputes between Blake Lively and her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni are having on her relationship with husband Ryan Reynolds is becoming more apparent.

As a steadfast advocate, I find myself embroiled in a challenging legal and public relations conflict with Baldoni, aged 41, following my lawsuit against him in December, claiming inappropriate sexual behavior during our film production. He has refuted these allegations.

Later on, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation case against Lively, her representative, and her spouse, Ryan. All three parties have also refuted these allegations.

Additionally, he initiated a defamation lawsuit worth $250 million against The New York Times, stemming from their coverage regarding Lively’s accusations.

According to Us Weekly, it appears that the ongoing legal proceedings and media attention have been challenging for both Blake and Ryan.

They shared that ‘things are tense at home given the level of scrutiny they’re facing.’ 

The actress has said as much in her public court filings. 

In her revised court document submitted on February 18, the actress from Gossip Girl expressed that the emotional impact of the lawsuits was particularly intense for her, and she stated that her spouse and their four children – James (age 10), Inez (age 8), Betty (age 5), and Olin (age 2) – had all been affected by this distressing situation.

According to another source, it has been quite challenging for Blake and Ryan. The insider also mentioned that they are trying their best to maintain a positive outlook and provide mutual support during this difficult time.

‘There are good days and bad days for both of them,’ they added.

According to a reliable source, an outside observer commented that the lives of Blake and Ryan have experienced significant upheaval, expressing that it has been challenging for both of them.

The first source made it clear that the Deadpool star is ‘standing by’ his wife.  

‘They’re supporting one another,’ they said.

Amidst the rumored chaos resulting from Baldoni’s lawsuit and the online controversy surrounding Lively’s legal action, Lively has strived to maintain a calm and composed public image.

At the March 7 debut of her latest sequel “Another Simple Favor” during the South By Southwest Film Festival, she made her fans’ day by stepping away from the red carpet for a while to interact with her enthusiastic supporters and autograph hunters, who were kept at a distance by a concrete barrier.

However, that seemingly innocent action led to misunderstanding, as social media personalities who have been ardently supporting Baldoni took photos from the event and incorrectly insinuated that Lively was employing Paul Feig’s wife as a paid attendee to inflate the premiere’s popularity.

The situation didn’t improve public opinions when Lively spoke enthusiastically about making the movie, whereas Kendrick was more vague. However, a source revealed to Us Weekly that their varying comments were simply a reflection of the actresses’ distinct personalities.

They characterized Kendrick as having a structured or organized personality, whereas Lively exhibits a more laid-back demeanor.

Furthermore, it was made clear that while the actresses have a friendly rapport with each other, they don’t socialize outside of work, and Blake Lively’s ongoing legal matters may not aid in this respect.

In the most recent installment of Matthew Belloni’s podcast “The Town”, Belloni discussed the ongoing legal matters with Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lawyer, expressing his viewpoint that these cases are likely to be resolved through a settlement agreement.

Instead, the lawyer implied that Baldoni appeared committed for a prolonged period, though avoiding a direct discussion about the matter.

It appears that their decision to persist with the legal fight caught Lively and Reynolds off guard.

In my line of work as a lifestyle expert, I was genuinely surprised to encounter an online community fiercely devoted to defending Baldoni, who were always ready to leap to his defense, regardless of some unresolved aspects of the case yet to be thoroughly examined in a court of law.

They stated that Blake advises everyone to be patient and observe the court proceedings before forming opinions, as the couple feels the criticism has spiraled excessively.

Typically, when someone claims to be a victim, there’s often some understanding or compassion shown. However, they assert that they have not felt this empathy.

Regardless of the opposition, the third party confirmed that Lively had no intentions of halting her work or neglecting her means of income.

‘She won’t be hiding,’ they declared. 

In the face of this overwhelming ordeal, I, Blake, along with my comrade Ryan, have been deeply affected. Yet, we are not retreating from this situation. We possess a clear understanding of the truth, and we are determined to assert ourselves, to defend our reality.

Information about the development in Lively and Reynolds’ marriage emerged following Reynolds’ fierce request to be excluded from Baldoni’s legal action against his spouse.

In the documents acquired by DailyMail.com, he stood up for his spouse and ridiculed the director of The It Ends With Us for his ‘easily offended outbursts’ and ‘wounded sensibilities’, referring to him as a ‘predator’.

As per Reynolds, he has the constitutional right under the First Amendment to express profound disrespect towards Mr. Baldoni, or any man whom Reynolds suspects of sexually harassing his wife.

Previously, Lively brought forth fresh arguments in her continuous legal exchange with Justin Baldoni, asserting that she wasn’t the sole individual who felt discomfort on the set of “It Ends With Us.

A revised form of her later-filed complaint in the New York federal court suggests additional support for her initial allegations. As reported by People, a representative for the actress declared that “other women shared with Blake their feelings of unease” regarding the matter.

In an interview with DailyMail.com, attorney Freedman stated that Balondi’s team has been open about providing authentic receipts, current documents, and videos depicting a narrative quite distinct from what’s been misrepresented in media reports. Despite the jests made by the plaintiff and her spouse in public, our clients have treated this matter and its related issues with utmost gravity.

His remarks suggested that the revised lawsuit filed by her seems weak, with vague testimonies from unidentified individuals who refuse to back her allegations now. He added that since documents are trustworthy and people can be deceitful, the forthcoming depositions of those who initially endorsed Ms. Lively’s questionable claims and witnesses to her actions will provide clarity. What’s disconcerting in this situation is that Ms. Lively appears to lack solid evidence for her case.

According to their comments to DailyMail.com, attorneys Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb stated that Lively’s updated lawsuit against Baldoni strengthens her initial allegations with new evidence and confirmation.

They mentioned that the information encompasses past, unpublicized conversations between Lively and Sony Pictures, Baldoni’s studio Wayfarer Studios, as well as several other individuals who testified.

It appears that a revised form of the complaint now alleges an additional defamation charge against Baldoni, a claim missing from the original filing made on New Year’s Eve.

As stated by Hudson and Gottlieb, Lively is taking legal action for defamation due to the continuous untruthful claims the defendants have made about Miss Lively since she initially filed her lawsuit.

Additionally, she’s broadened her grievance to involve Jed Wallace and the Texas-based crisis management firm, Street Relations, Inc., as defendants in the case.

Previously, Wallace, who refutes any involvement in a negative campaign against the actress from Gossip Girl, had earlier filed a $7 million lawsuit against her due to Lively’s claim in her original complaint that his firm used a digital force maliciously against her, acting on behalf of Baldoni.

In her original complaint, she asked for Wallace to be removed from his position (deposed), but later in February, he disclosed that this request had been withdrawn as part of a subsequent lawsuit.

Lively’s new filing alleges that others on the set of It Ends With Us can corroborate her claims. 

The argument suggests that the false story presented by Baldoni and his fellow defendants is falling apart, as it cannot dispute the undeniable fact that the actress was not singular in expressing her complaints about Mr. Baldoni.

The document aims to prove that she expressed her worries at the time they occurred in 2023, not as part of any speculative strategy to gain control over the movie in 2024.

As reported by a representative from Lively, the updated submission provides evidence supporting the validity of Blake’s initial claims regarding sexual harassment and retaliation.

It’s claimed that the document shows other women shared with Blake their unease about disclosing their discomfort and apprehension over speaking up, as well as their worry about the current hostile public reaction.

Regardless of the ongoing legal dispute between them, it seems that resolution is not imminent for either Lively or Baldoni.

In January, a court set the trial date for their legal disputes in March 2026, and both sides have chosen not to engage in mediation prior to that.

In a lively manner, Lively and Reynolds poked fun at the situation during their comeback at the SNL 50th Anniversary Special last month.

In a portion where famous attendees asked questions, Reynolds hinted at the ongoing legal disputes.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler set off the exchange by calling on it and asking, ‘How’s it going?’

The Deadpool star replied nervously with a quick, “Oh, fantastic! What’s the news?” as he clutched his hands.

In an animated manner, I tilted my gaze towards him, displaying an exaggeratedly worried countenance, only to later resume my usual, comforting smile.

As an overly enthusiastic fan, I must admit, I’ve heard whispers among the inner circle who attended the Saturday Night Live anniversary special, and it seems a few were somewhat hesitant when it came to engaging in conversation with that dazzling A-list duo.

A source noted that certain creators had apprehensions as the program appeared to be promoting Blake and Ryan excessively, suggesting these individuals feel compelled to demonstrate their ongoing relevance within the entertainment industry.

As a lifestyle expert looking back on a recent event, I must confess that while their team collaborated with SNL to craft the joke, the truth of the matter is, it didn’t quite resonate with the internal audience. To many, it seemed like an attempt at quick damage control that felt somewhat insincere. However, the network was well aware that the appearance would generate ratings and headlines, so they decided to go ahead and include it in the show.

They went on to say, ‘Some found it peculiar that they kept making light of the situation given the gravity of the allegations. It appeared as though Ryan was clinging to his comedic persona, sometimes at the cost of Blake’s comfort. Backstage, she seemed tense and uneasy.’

Later on, Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni, expressed strong disapproval towards the joke, even though it didn’t directly mention the actor from Jane The Virgin.

He stated during his Hot Mics with Billy Bush appearance that he doesn’t know anyone personally who has had their spouse experience sexual harassment and joked about such situations.

‘I can’t think of anyone who’s done anything like that. So it surprised me.’

Back in February, Lively’s legal representatives issued subpoenas to mobile service providers to obtain records related to her court case with Baldoni.

According to Deadline, Ms. Lively’s lawyers, Hudson and Gottlieb, stated that she has begun an investigation to reveal the individuals, strategies, and actions taken during the previous year which aimed at damaging her reputation and her family.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but express my anticipation as we prepare to unveil the long-awaited evidence, which, quite predictably, seems to be missing from Mr. Freedman’s online platform. Just like Ms. Lively, this evidence will have its moment under the scrutiny of the court. This statement comes in response to Mr. Freedman’s assertion that Baldoni’s team possesses proof supporting his accusation that Lively behaved unprofessionally on the set of It Ends With Us.

In a letter addressed to U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, Baldoni’s legal team expressed that the subpoenas were excessively broad or unnecessarily excessive.

In response to the question about their numerous receipts, Lively’s lawyers explained in a statement to People that it seems strange they would be apprehensive about presenting them.

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2025-03-19 05:05

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