Blake Lively is facing fresh scrutiny over her marriage to Ryan Reynolds as her legal showdown with Justin Baldoni intensifies.
The actress has been accused of “exaggerating” the strength of her relationship with Reynolds, with critics pointing to her recent social media posts as a calculated attempt to counter growing speculation that the ongoing court battle has strained their dynamic.
While reports claim the once-playful couple has lost some of its spark under pressure, Lively appears determined to shut down the narrative by continuing to share affectionate glimpses of their life.
For years, Lively and Reynolds built a reputation as Hollywood’s most relatable power couple, winning fans over with their self-deprecating humor and playful social media exchanges. But that image has come under scrutiny since the actress filed a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit in 2024 against her “It Ends With Us” co-star Baldoni.
Still, Lively has continued to post affectionate glimpses of their life online. Just weeks ago, she shared a photo of them posing with friends, and more recently, she reposted an image of Reynolds on her Instagram Story, calling him “such a babe.”
Those posts, however, have fueled fresh criticism, with some social media users accusing her of trying too hard to maintain the image of a happy marriage, even as rumors swirl that the ongoing fallout has put their relationship under serious strain.
Reynolds ‘Wants Blake Lively To Settle Case’
Despite presenting a united front, Reynolds is reportedly eager for Lively’s legal battle with Baldoni to wrap up before it escalates further. The actor, who has been named as a potential witness in the case, could be called to testify if the matter goes to trial. However, sources claim he would prefer a quieter resolution behind the scenes.
“Ryan is fully supportive publicly,” an insider told Rob Shuter’s #ShutterScoop. “But privately? He wants this settled. This is pulling him in, and he knows it. He doesn’t want to be dragged through court.”
According to the source, Reynolds is increasingly concerned about the potential impact on his image and standing in Hollywood, especially as the case grows more complex and harder to contain.
Lively’s Case Hit With Major Setback In Court
Lively’s legal fight against Baldoni took a significant hit earlier this month after Judge Lewis Liman dismissed ten of her 13 claims, including sexual harassment and defamation.
Despite the setback, the actress signaled she’s not backing down. In a statement shared on Instagram, Lively made it clear she intends to push forward with the remaining claims, framing her decision as part of a broader stand for those who may not have the chance to speak out.
Behind the scenes, however, the ruling appears to have taken an emotional toll. A source told Rob Shuter that the courtroom loss left her “devastated” and frustrated by how her case is being perceived.
“She’s devastated,” the insider said. “This is not the outcome she expected. She’s angry. She feels like her story isn’t being fully heard.”
Ryan Reynolds Publicly Backs Blake Lively
Reynolds has continued to stand firmly by Lively as she faces mounting pressure ahead of her trial with Baldoni in May. During an appearance on TODAY’s “Sunday Sitdown Live with Willie Geist” on April 19, the actor made his support clear, praising Lively’s character amid the ongoing scrutiny.
“I’ve never in my life been more proud of my wife,” Reynolds said. “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… in everything that they do.”
Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni Clash In Pretrial Showdown
Lively and Baldoni’s legal battle escalated this week as both sides squared off in court over key pretrial issues.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the “Jane the Virgin” star’s legal team pushed back against Lively’s claims that his alleged smear campaign cost her millions and damaged her business ventures, including her beverage brand, Betty Buzz.
Instead, his lawyers argued that her financial struggles cannot be tied to their client, claiming her brands underperformed due to her own public image rather than any coordinated effort against her. They pointed to past controversies, including backlash over comments she made about Kate Middleton’s Photoshop incident, as examples of moments that may have hurt her reputation.
