Blake Lively made a stunning appearance at a Chanel event in New York City on June 9, marking her first public outing since a judge dismissed a $400 million lawsuit filed against her and husband Ryan Reynolds by Justin Baldoni. Dressed in a chic white crochet dress, the 37-year-old actress radiated confidence as she posed for photos before joining friends at the annual Tribeca Film Festival Dinner.
Earlier that day, Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled in favor of Lively and Reynolds, dismissing Baldoni’s lawsuit, which also included a $250 million libel claim against The New York Times. This legal battle began when Lively accused Baldoni, her director and co-star in “It Ends With Us,” of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. The judge did allow Baldoni to amend his claims regarding breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with contract, giving him until June 23 to do so.
Following the dismissal, Lively expressed her feelings of relief and empowerment. A source close to the couple revealed that they felt vindicated after the ruling. “Blake is feeling a sense of pride that she continued to use her voice,” the insider shared with Us Weekly.
In a heartfelt statement on her Instagram Story, Lively vowed to keep advocating for women’s rights. “Last week, I stood proudly alongside 19 organizations united in defending women’s rights to speak up for their safety,” she wrote. Lively highlighted the challenges many women face when confronting retaliatory lawsuits and emphasized the importance of having a voice in protecting their dignity and integrity.
She also linked to several organizations dedicated to supporting women’s rights, including the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the National Organization for Women. “With love and gratitude for the many who stood by me, many of you I know. Many of you I don’t,” she concluded. “But I will never stop appreciating or advocating for you.”
The New York Times also released a statement expressing gratitude for the court’s decision, describing Baldoni’s lawsuit as a “meritless attempt to stifle honest reporting.”
Lively and Baldoni’s legal entanglement has drawn significant media attention since the actress accused him of fostering a hostile work environment during the filming of their movie. Baldoni has denied these allegations and subsequently filed a countersuit against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane. In response, Lively and Reynolds sought to have Baldoni’s lawsuit dismissed in March, while Sloane requested to be removed from the case. Meanwhile, Lively’s original lawsuit against Baldoni is set to go to trial in March 2026.
In a recent statement from Lively’s team, they declared the court’s decision a “total victory” and a “complete vindication” for Lively and those involved in Baldoni’s retaliatory lawsuit. As the legal battles continue, Lively remains steadfast in her commitment to advocating for women’s rights and standing up against injustice.
With her recent public appearance and powerful statements, Blake Lively continues to inspire many as she navigates the complexities of fame and personal challenges while championing important social causes.