At the Time100 Gala, Blake Lively made her first public nod to the legal battle she is embroiled in with Justin Baldoni. While accepting her honor as one of Time’s 100 most influential people, Lively chose not to delve into the controversy, instead highlighting her greatest influence: her mother, Willie Elain McAlpin. She shared the emotional story of her mother’s survival from a violent attack, crediting an anonymous woman’s public testimony for saving her mother’s life — and by extension, her own.
Blake Lively Calls for Collective Recognition of Women’s Safety and Resilience in Speech
Lively’s speech powerfully discussed the unspoken pact among women to silently teach survival. She reflected on the painful realization that women often live with the understanding that safety is never guaranteed — not at work, not at home, not anywhere. She questioned why society forces women to bear this reality privately and called for the collective recognition of safety as a basic human right for all women.
Blake LivelyEnding on a hopeful note, Lively celebrated the enduring strength and resilience of women. She emphasized that survival — emotional or physical — is an act of triumph. Lively encouraged women to find power even in pain and took a moment to thank supportive men like her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for their quiet kindness and solidarity. Her words were a reminder of the shared victories women achieve by simply enduring and thriving.
Blake Lively Faces Scrutiny Amid Legal Battle, Stays Committed to Speaking Out for Justice
Behind the scenes, Lively continues to face public scrutiny over her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, filed in December 2024. The lawsuit alleges sexual harassment and professional sabotage, while Baldoni has countersued for defamation. The controversy has drawn intense media attention, often criticizing Lively and Reynolds. Despite the challenges, the couple has remained publicly united, sometimes making light-hearted references to the situation during appearances.
Although Lively has stayed mostly silent since her initial legal statement, insiders report she remains committed to her decision to speak out, understanding the personal and professional toll it might take. Motivated by a desire to set an example for her daughters, Lively is focusing on her family and maintaining resilience. With the trial set for March 2026, she continues to take each day as it comes, grounded in her belief in standing up against injustice.