Since settling her lawsuit with her former co-star, Blake Lively has been making head-turning appearances at major events.
Experts and insiders have since alleged that the actress is on a mission to fix her image and brand after facing heavy backlash and scrutiny due to her legal feud with Justin Baldoni.
Although the actors have settled the highly publicized legal battle, Blake Lively is still seeking damages due to Baldoni’s dismissed defamation lawsuit against her.
According to the Daily Mail, Lively took her “rehabilitation” tour to the Gucci High jewelry event in New York City, where she made a dazzling appearance weeks after settling her lawsuit with Baldoni.
The actress proved she is back and ready to move on from her legal issues as she flashed a warm smile and posed for photos with a pal at the event.
This marked her second night out in a row after months away from the public eye while she focused on her lawsuit. She had previously stolen the spotlight at a Fendi party.
For her recent appearance, Lively looked effortlessly stylish as she donned a white top under a blue shirt, along with jeans and sparkling peep-toe heels.
Photos from her outing have since hit the internet, and while some praised the star for her look, many others couldn’t help but criticize her, claiming she was doing her best to distance herself from the “It Ends With Us” legal controversy.
One critic on X said, “How is going to Gucci and Fendi events supposed to make her gain favor with regular folks? Her PR team (Ryan) is so out of touch.”
“She’ll never rehabilitate that personality. It’s over for her,” a second person stated, while a third noted, “She’s going around hanging out with rich people at parties after saying she wants to help keep women safe. It’s not helping.”
The Actress Is Only Attending Events Where She Can Control The Narrative, Insiders Claim
Right after the conclusion of her feud with Baldoni, Lively made her return to the Met Gala for the first time in years, an appearance that did not go unnoticed, given the intense attention she had garnered with her lawsuit against the actor.
Sources now claim the outing is part of a carefully planned effort by the actress to reestablish herself in Hollywood, after her reputation seemed to have taken a major hit in the months the suit lasted.
The strategy reportedly includes attending tightly controlled events where she can control the narrative and pose in front of approved photographers.
“Blake knows exactly how powerful a perfect photograph can be,” one source said about Lively’s alleged news, per reports. “A stunning image creates conversation without creating risk. Photos don’t ask difficult follow-ups.”
Blake Lively’s Met Gala Appearance Was Intentional
At the Met Gala, Blake Lively arrived in a pastel Atelier Versace gown featuring a multicolored draped bodice, which some have claimed was a last-minute choice after she was reportedly turned down by several designers.
Her appearance quickly made headlines, further fueled by the fact that Lively also gave an interview with Vogue in which she discussed the creation of the outfit.
Despite the attention surrounding her return, Lively was not seen addressing any questions about her feud with Baldoni, which a source claimed was an intentional decision by the actress.
“The mission is very deliberate,” another insider explains. “They want audiences talking about how incredible she looks, not revisiting old narratives.”
Sources close to Blake Lively have also claimed that the actress believes any negative traction she has received in recent months can be countered with aspirational fashion moments, viral images, and carefully curated public appearances.
However, it remains to be seen whether the strategy will be effective, as some are not convinced she will achieve complete success with this approach.
The Actress Hopes To Repair Her Relationship With Taylor Swift
Amid her feud with Baldoni, Lively’s close friendship with singer Taylor Swift appeared to weaken, with the pair not being seen together publicly in months. With the legal dispute now resolved, the actress is said to be hopeful that she can rebuild what was lost.
“Blake genuinely believes there’s still a path back,” one insider noted. “Now that the legal mess is over, she thinks the hardest part is behind her, and there’s real hope they can move forward.”
Despite her optimism, Lively is said to be well aware that it may take some time before any true reconciliation can occur. She also believes it will eventually happen now that the legal drama with Baldoni has reached some form of resolution.
“She knows not everything snaps back overnight,” another source said. “But Blake believes removing the chaos changes everything. She thinks once the noise is gone, there’s room for real healing.”
Blake Lively Is Seeking Reimbursement For Legal Expenses From Justin Baldoni
Lively and Baldoni settled their lawsuit on May 4 and released a joint statement shortly after. While that would typically signal the end of the legal dispute, the matter is not fully resolved, as Lively is still in court seeking to recover the legal expenses she incurred while suing Baldoni for sexual harassment and other claims last year.
The actress is seeking to recover these costs under a California law that allows individuals who report sexual misconduct to claim attorneys’ fees and damages if the accused files a retaliatory defamation suit, as Baldoni did last year. However, that case was ultimately dismissed.
For now, the presiding judge has yet to rule on the matter. Baldoni’s lawyers have argued that Lively’s request should not be granted, claiming she is not entitled to those protections because the alleged incident primarily took place during filming in New Jersey.
