Blake Lively’s long-awaited return: all smiles with Ryan Reynolds

Blake Lively has officially returned to the public eye. After months of speculation, the actress made her comeback at the 50th Anniversary Special of Saturday Night Live this past Sunday in New York, accompanied by her husband, Ryan Reynolds. This marks her first public appearance since filing a lawsuit against Breaking the Circle co-star and director Justin Baldoni, whom she accused of sexual harassment and defamation last December.

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Despite the ongoing controversy, Lively radiated confidence and joy as she posed for photographers alongside Reynolds. She dazzled in a silver gown with delicate straps and a plunging neckline, complemented by her signature long, wavy blonde hair. Her appearance signaled a determined return to the spotlight following a brief retreat from public life.

The couple took a rare night off from parenting their four children—James (10), Inez (8), Betty (5), and Olin (1)—to attend the star-studded event. They mingled with a host of celebrities, including Paul McCartney, Cher, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Kevin Costner, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert De Niro, Kim Kardashian, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, and Bill Murray.

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As expected, Lively and Reynolds captured attention throughout the evening. A particular moment went viral when Reynolds, seated beside his wife, stood up and jokingly asked, "I have a question." Hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler playfully responded, "Oh, Ryan Reynolds, how are you?" to which he quipped, "Great, what have you heard?"—a subtle nod to the legal dispute with Baldoni. The exchange drew laughter from the audience as the hosts quickly added, "Oh, nothing, nothing, we weren’t referring to anything."

The legal battle with Justin Baldoni

Lively’s last public appearance before this event was on December 11, when she attended the Beauty Inc Awards 2024 to accept the Breakout Brand of the Year award for her successful haircare line, Blake Brown Beauty. Less than two weeks later, on December 20, she filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging multiple instances of sexual harassment on set and accusing him of orchestrating a smear campaign against her. The suit, filed with the California Department of Civil Rights, also named publicists working for Baldoni.

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The case has since escalated into a high-profile legal battle, with frequent new allegations surfacing. On January 16, Baldoni countered with a €400 million lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, citing claims of extortion, defamation, invasion of privacy, breach of good faith, interference with contractual relations, and negligent interference with economic advantage. He alleges that Lively used her influence to take control of the film, despite reportedly not reading the script until production was already underway.

Baldoni speaks out

Last week, Baldoni publicly addressed the situation for the first time in an emotional interview on the Gent’s Talk podcast. Though he avoided mentioning Lively directly, he alluded to the toll the dispute has taken on him. "I've been through a lot... It’s been a really tough year," he said with a wavering voice. "This morning I sent a message... and I can’t quite describe what I’m feeling." He described the past year as "one of the most intense" of his life, hinting at the personal and professional struggles he’s faced.

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As legal proceedings continue, public interest in the case remains high. Meanwhile, Lively’s radiant return to the spotlight suggests she’s ready to move forward, determined not to let the controversy overshadow her career and public persona.