Ryan Reynolds makes first public appearance after Blake Lively lawsuit

Ryan Reynolds attends National Board of Review Awards, marking his first public appearance amid Blake Lively lawsuit.

Ryan Reynolds recently stepped into the spotlight at the National Board of Review Awards in New York City, marking his first public appearance amid ongoing legal drama involving his wife, Blake Lively, and actor-director Justin Baldoni. The event celebrated Wicked, which won the award for Best Movie of 2024.

Reynolds, dressed sharply in a sleek suit, introduced Wicked with a heartfelt speech highlighting the film’s focus on two powerful women—Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. He praised the movie's celebration of complex female characters, stating, “Wicked is indeed wicked. It dares to center on two powerful women and explores their nuanced, evolving relationship."

He also addressed the challenges women face in society, emphasizing how they are often held to impossible standards and expected to transform themselves constantly. While Reynolds didn’t directly reference the ongoing controversy between Lively and Baldoni, his remarks about societal pressures on women sparked speculation about whether his comments subtly connected to the unfolding legal battle.

Lively recently filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and retaliation during the production of It Ends With Us. In response, Baldoni filed a $250 million countersuit against The New York Times, alleging the outlet misrepresented his side of the story. Reynolds’ name was also dragged into the controversy, with Baldoni claiming Reynolds berated him during a tense meeting. However, sources close to Reynolds denied this, stating he was “stern” but not disrespectful.