Legal Tensions Soar as Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Joke at SNL Anniversary
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds made waves at the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special on February 16, and not just because they looked fabulous on the red carpet—Reynolds even added a bit of salt to the legal drama swirling around them. As they chuckled their way through the gala’s highlights, Justin Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, didn’t find the humor in their antics, especially since they’re entangled in a messy series of lawsuits. Freedman stated he found it surprising that anyone would joke about sexual harassment, especially one directly linked to an ongoing legal battle concerning Baldoni’s behavior on the set of the film *It Ends With Us*, where Lively claims she faced inappropriate conduct.
This all kicked off when Lively filed a civil rights complaint claiming retaliation for reporting sexual harassment, leading Baldoni to countersue for a staggering $400 million, along with a defamation suit against The New York Times. Talk about legal fireworks! The stakes are high as Baldoni claims the accusations are baseless, while Lively asserts her distress over how she was treated on set, alleging that the retaliation campaign orchestrated by Baldoni’s team caused her significant personal and professional harm.
While Reynolds and Lively were all smiles that night, effortlessly capturing the spotlight—Reynolds in a classic tux and Lively in a dazzling silver gown—the underlying tension was hard to miss, especially given the backdrop of ongoing legal drama. During their SNL appearance, when asked how he was, Reynolds quipped, “Great. Why? What have you heard?” prompting laughter from Lively that felt a touch strained considering the circumstances at hand.
Freedman’s comments highlighted the stark contrast between Hollywood’s glam facade and the serious issues lurking underneath. It’s a classic case of “all’s fair in love and war,” but in this scenario, the stakes are as high as the gloss on that sequined gown. With both sides gearing up for a complicated journey through the legal process, fans are left on the edge of their seats, waiting to see how this high-profile saga unfolds. In the meantime, mark your calendars for the next courtroom showdown because things are getting interesting in Tinseltown!
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and E! News, The New York Times, People Magazine
