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Ryan Reynolds Makes First Public Appearance Amid Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's Legal Battle
Ryan Reynolds is pushing back on unattainable expectations.
Amid his wife Blake Lively and It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni’s ongoing legal dispute surrounding alleged sexual harassment on the set of Colleen Hoover's adaptation, the Deadpool star took a moment to address unfair standards for women.
In a speech at the National Board of Review Awards Jan. 7 in New York, the 48-year-old—who shares kids James, 10, Inez, 8, Betty, 5, and Olin, born in 2023 with Lively—shared a feminist message while reflecting on the critical and box office success of Wicked.
“It dares to center on two powerful women,” Reynolds said. “It examines a nuanced, complex relationship which has resonated with people for over two decades on stage. Stories about women seem to be held to a different set of standards, and that is to say that they're often held to the standards women are held to in life. You must be perfect. You must hide your strength. You must shape-shift or placate.”
And the Green Lantern actor lauded Universal Pictures and its chairman Donna Langley, adding, “They know where and with whom to place their trust, and it paid off in this film.”
Reynolds’ message about the impossible expectations for women, onscreen and off, come just a week after Lively filed a lawsuit in New York against Justin for sexual harassment and an alleged smear campaign he and his associates waged against her.
More than one week before filing her lawsuit, Lively issued a formal, 80-page complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, where she expanded on the alleged harassment and astroturfing Baldoni allegedly engaged in. The specificities of the legal filing were also detailed in a bombshell New York Times article, published Dec. 22. Baldoni filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the newspaper Dec. 31, the same day Lively officially filed her lawsuit against him.
In a statement to the New York Times prior to her officially filing a lawsuit, Lively said, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
Taylor Hill/WireImage
Meanwhile, Baldoni maintains that the claims made in the Times article and Lively’s lawsuit are false, and his attorney Bryan Freedman says he “absolutely” plans to sue Lively in addition to the Times—which has vowed “vigorously defend” from Baldoni’s allegations—as his initial filing against the newspaper noted, “There are other bad actors involved, and make no mistake—this will not be the last lawsuit.”
In a statement to E! News, Freedman added, “We are releasing all of the evidence which will show a pattern of bullying and threats to take over the movie.”
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images/Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Sony Pictures
Following Lively’s filing of her official complaint, many friends and former colleagues in Hollywood—including It Ends With Us stars—expressed their support. Keep reading for every message…
(E! and Universal Pictures are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
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."
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 a 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.”
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.
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