Ryan Reynolds Makes First Appearance Since Blake Lively's Lawsuit

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Ryan Reynolds is making time for a marvelous night out. 

The Deadpool actor stepped out for his first public appearance since news broke of his wife Blake Lively's ongoing legal battle with her It Ends With Us costar and director Justin Baldoni, attending the National Board Awards in New York City on Jan. 7. 

For the National Board of Review event hosted by Willie Geist, Ryan wore a light gray suit with dark gray lapels and a white button-down shirt. And he topped off his ensemble by sporting black dress shoes and a pair of brown reading glasses. 

But the 48-year-old—who shares kids James, 10, Inez, 8, Betty, 5, and Olin, born in 2023, with Blake—didn't just step out to show off his classy look. Ryan also caught up with the cast of Wicked, posing with Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh and director John M. Chu for a series of snaps. Plus, he took the stage inside the ceremony to hand out an award along with fellow presenters Robert Pattinson, Jesse Eisenberg and Sofia Coppola

One week before Ryan showed out for the National Board Awards, Blake filed a formal lawsuit against Justin, who directed and starred alongside her in the 2024 movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us, for allegedly causing her mental pain and anguish, severe emotional distress, and lost wages, according to documents obtained by E! News at the time.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for National Board of Review

In the filing, the A Simple Favor actress accused Justin of sexual harassment while on set of the film and of coordinating a smear campaign to ruin her reputation—both of which she previously detailed in a 70-page legal complaint against him filed with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024. 

As for Justin—who has denied all of her allegations—he filed his own $250 million lawsuit against the New York Times for their published piece that focused on Blake's 70-page legal complaint. In the filing obtained by E! News, Justin accused the media outlet of "disregarding journalistic practices and ethics once befitting of the revered publication by using doctored and manipulated texts and intentionally omitting texts which dispute their chosen PR narrative."

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for National Board of Review

Regarding Justin's suit against the New York Times, Blake's attorney told E! News in a statement that his allegations were "false," adding, "Nothing in this lawsuit changes anything about the claims advanced in Ms. Lively’s California Civil Rights Department Complaint, nor her federal complaint, filed earlier today."

And the New York Times echoed the sentiment. 

"Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported," the publication said in a Dec. 31 statement shared to the New York Times' website. "It was based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and emails that we quote accurately and at length in the article."

The New York Times added, "We plan to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”

To see how more stars reacted to Blake’s legal complaint against Justin, keep reading. 

Disney

Instagram / Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover

After Blake Lively filed a legal complaint against It Ends With Us costar and director Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment on the film's set and for later taking part in a smear campaign against her—claims that he has since denied via his lawyer—Colleen Hoover, who wrote the book that the movie is based on, shared a message to the actress.

"@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met," Colleen wrote on her Instagram Stories Dec. 21. "Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt."

Instagram

Robyn Lively

Blake's sister, fellow actress Robyn Lively, also weighed in.

"I urge everyone to read The NY Times article in its entirety," Robyn wrote on Instagram Dec. 23, referencing the NYT piece that details Blake's complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department. "It calls out those behind the ruthless and nefarious smear campaign that aimed to take down my sister."

The Teen Witch star went on to note that it also "highlights" what Blake allegedly experienced on the set of It Ends With Us.

Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

Paul Feig

Blake's A Simple Favor director also came to her defense, writing on X Dec. 22, "I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with. She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this."

Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images

Amy Schumer

The comedian showed her support for the Gossip Girl alum, writing on her Instagram Story Dec. 22, "I believe Blake."

Joseph Agustin

Gwyneth Paltrow

Shortly after Blake's complaint was made public, the Goop founder shared a photo of The Town star's hair company, Blake Brown, on her Instagram Story, writing, "Just added to my Christmas wish list."

Instagram / America Ferrera

Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn & America Ferrera

Blake's BFFs and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars penned a joint message, posted to Instagram Dec. 22, stating they "stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation."

Noam Galai/WireImage

Bart Johnson

Bart Johnson shared an impassioned defense of his sister-in-law in the comments section of New York Times Instagram post detailing the filing and its own investigation into the behind-the-scenes turmoil.

“Her complained were filed during the filming,” the High School Musical alum, who is married to Blake's sister Robyn, wrote. “On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him for a reason. Read this article before spitting ignorance. His PR team was stellar. Gross and disgusting but highly effective. Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is with out faults. But the public got played."

He later added on X of Baldoni, "He’s a fraud. He puts on the 'costume' of a hero, man bun and all. Used all of the trendy catchphrases & buzz words for his podcasts. None of it’s genuine. It’s all theater. And everyone fell for it. For years. Rewatch his videos with a more critical eye and watch him compliment and praise himself with faux humility and self deprecation. What a performance."

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Disney

Shawn Levy

Ryan Reynolds' frequent collaborator Shawn Levy shared the New York Times investigation into the smear campaign on his Instagram Stories, writing, "Proud to call @blakelively a friend."

Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images

Amber Heard

Days after Lively's filing was made public, Amber Heard reflected on her own experience facing relentless vitriol online amid ex Johnny Depp's defamation trial against her.

“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,’” the Aquaman star expressed in a statement to NBC News Dec. 23. “I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”

Instagram

Brandon Sklenar

Brandon Sklenar, who played Blake's love interest Atlas Corrigan in It Ends With Us, had a simple, pointed message of support.

Sharing a screenshot of the Gossip Girl alum's full complaint against Baldoni on his Instagram Stories Dec. 23, he wrote over a link to the text, "For the love of God read this." He followed up by tagging her with a heart emoji.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

Jenny Slate

Jenny Slate, who played Baldoni's sister and Blake's BFF in the film, shared her thoughts on the "disturbing" allegations.

“As Blake Lively’s castmate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation,” Slate said in a Dec. 23 statement to Today. “Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.”

“What has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening," the Parks and Recreation alum continued. "I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side.”

Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage

Michele Morrone

The actor, who stars alongside Lively in the upcoming sequel to A Simple Favor, sent his love to her on Instagram Story Dec. 23, adding that he felt her "pain" as they filmed together earlier this year.

Watch E! News Monday, Jan. 6, at 11 p.m. for a full recap of every must-see moment from the 2025 Golden Globe Awards.

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