Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni depicted as David and Goliath on The Hollywood Reporter's cover sparks controversy

The Hollywood Reporter faces backlash for mocking Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Justin Baldoni amid legal battle.

The Hollywood Reporter has ignited backlash with its latest magazine cover, which appears to mock Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal battle. The cover, depicting Lively slinging a cell phone at Baldoni, is a visual reference to David and Goliath, portraying her as the underdog in their public feud.

 

 

 

 

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However, critics argue that the image is highly inappropriate, given that Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us. The lawsuit, filed in December, has since escalated into a legal showdown, with Baldoni filing a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her publicist, and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.

Lively’s spokesperson condemned the cover, stating:

"The Hollywood Reporter should be ashamed of itself. The framing in this picture is outrageously insulting as it plays into every sexist trope about women who file workplace complaints, turning them into the aggressor."

Social media users also slammed the cover, with some accusing the magazine of spreading "anti-woman propaganda" while others mocked the 'misrepresentation' of Blake Lively.

The controversy deepens as Baldoni’s legal team refutes Lively’s claims, calling them “cherry-picked and manipulated”, while Lively’s lawyers insist there is corroboration from others on set.

As tensions rise, the lawsuits between Lively and Baldoni are set for trial in March 2026, with no mediation planned.