Ryan Reynolds has publicly expressed his unwavering support for his wife, Blake Lively, as her legal dispute with director and co-star Justin Baldoni moves toward trial. In a rare interview, the actor hinted that the public narrative surrounding the case is incomplete.
“You really see kind of the illusion behind so much of this stuff, you know? Digital life versus real life,” Reynolds told Today on April 19. “I’ll just say, I’ve never in my life been more proud of my wife.”
He continued, emphasizing Lively’s character, “People have no idea what’s really going on, you know? And I’ve just never in my life been more proud of someone with that level of integrity that brings that with them and carries that with them in everything that they do.”
Previously unsealed communications reveal Reynolds actively supported Lively during the production of It Ends With Us. His representative confirmed to Puck News in January, “Yes, Ryan got involved—what husband wouldn’t support his wife and the mother of his children?”
The statement added, “He saw his wife fighting daily to stand up against sexual harassment in a private and respectful way, only to face retaliation for doing so. If anything, Ryan feels like he wasn’t angry enough.”
Lively is now preparing to take her remaining claims against Baldoni—who has denied all allegations—to trial. Earlier this month, a New York judge dismissed 10 of the 13 original counts, including the sexual harassment allegations, partly because Lively was classified as an independent contractor. The trial, scheduled to begin May 18, will proceed on the remaining accusations of retaliation, breach of contract, and aiding and abetting retaliation.
In a statement shared on her Instagram Story on April 3, Lively explained her motivation for pursuing the lawsuit. “The last thing I wanted in my life was a lawsuit,” she wrote, “but I brought this case because of the pervasive RETALIATION I faced, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others.”
She expressed hope that her experience would resonate beyond celebrity gossip. “I hope the Court's decision shows others that, as unfathomably painful as it is, you can speak up,” Lively stated. “The constant packaging of this lawsuit as a 'Celebrity Drama' is not only irresponsible, but it is by design: to keep you from seeing yourselves in my story. The physical pain from digital violence is very real. It is abuse. And it's everywhere.”
Baldoni’s legal team responded to the partial dismissal of claims with confidence. His lawyer said in a statement to TMZ, “The plan was not only to speak the truth but to also show that same truth over and over again through the presentation of actual evidence.”
The case originated from a complaint Lively filed with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024, alleging that Baldoni and associates from his production company, Wayfarer Studios, engaged in a retaliatory campaign after she raised concerns about on-set behavior.