Blake Lively Clarifies Celebrity Presence During Ryan Reynolds’ Confrontation with Justin Baldoni
NEW YORK, NY — The ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken another turn as Lively addressed claims regarding which celebrities were present during a contentious confrontation involving her husband, Ryan Reynolds. The dispute, which centers around allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation filed by Lively against Baldoni in December 2024, has expanded to include counterclaims and accusations of defamation.
Justin Baldoni, known for his work as an actor and director, countersued with a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane, alleging extortion and defamation. Among the many claims, Baldoni’s suit alleged that Reynolds confronted him in a “humiliating” manner at the actor’s New York penthouse, accusing Baldoni of “fat-shaming” Lively. The confrontation allegedly occurred after Baldoni inquired about Lively’s weight while preparing for a scene that involved physically lifting her, a question he said was motivated by concerns over safely performing the stunt due to his own back issues.
Legal documents revealed that during this meeting, several celebrity guests purportedly walked in and out of Reynolds’ penthouse, witnessing the heated exchange. Reports from People Magazine suggested that Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman, both close friends of the couple, were present during the confrontation. According to an unsealed email cited by the outlet, Reynolds “unloaded” on Baldoni, condemning the inquiry as “fat-shaming” and leaving Baldoni “completely embarrassed,” even causing him to apologize with visible emotion.
However, Blake Lively has now disputed these claims in her deposition, which was reviewed by BuzzFeed. Lively testified that only Ryan Reynolds was briefly present during a private discussion she had with Baldoni about his allegedly inappropriate questions regarding her weight. She explained that Baldoni was in her office to work on script revisions when she raised the issue after learning from her personal trainer, Don Saladino, that Baldoni had asked about her weight.
“I raised his conversation with Saladino about my weight and conveyed that it was upsetting to me and that it felt invasive and inappropriate,” Lively stated. She added that Reynolds, who was working on his own film in the office, “briefly walked over and joined” the conversation but soon returned to his work.
Regarding the presence of other celebrities, Lively said Hugh Jackman “stopped by” only to pick up Reynolds. She described the interaction as brief and cordial, with Jackman shaking Baldoni’s hand and exchanging pleasantries before leaving with Reynolds. “No one but Baldoni, myself, and Reynolds was anywhere in our office during the discussion about Baldoni’s inappropriate inquiries into my weight,” she asserted.
This clarification challenges earlier reports and raises questions about the accuracy of the accounts involving high-profile witnesses. The legal proceedings continue to unfold amid intense public scrutiny, with both sides maintaining their positions. BuzzFeed has reached out to Baldoni’s representatives for comment but has yet to receive a response.
The case highlights the complexities of celebrity legal disputes and the challenges in verifying accounts amid conflicting testimonies. For further context on legal standards surrounding defamation and harassment claims, the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division provides detailed guidance. Additionally, information on defamation law can be found through the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School.
As the story develops, it remains to be seen how these revelations will impact the ongoing litigation and the reputations of those involved. The entertainment industry and fans alike watch closely as this high-profile dispute continues to unfold.
Leave a Reply