Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are not strangers to attention from the media. Both actors have had longstanding careers and are used to making headlines for their work and business deals.
Recently however, both Lively and Reynolds have been under public scrutiny regarding their legal battle with actor Justin Baldoni. All of it has been unfolding in the public eye.
Now, people are keeping a close eye on how all three behave in public. And the latest sighting or lack thereof has raised some eyebrows. Keep reading to learn more.
Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively have been at the center of a major headlines regarding a legal battle with Justin Baldoni. Baldoni directed and starred alongside Lively in the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s book, ‘It Ends With Us.’
Now as both parties are suing one another, people are listening to all sides and declaring their allegiances. In the midst of this, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively were noticably absent from the 2025 Critics Choice Awards even though Reynolds was nominated for an award.
His movie, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” won Best Comedy at the award ceremony. Instead of being in attendance and celebrating the win in person, Reynolds took to social media to celebrate the happy news.
“Zing! Thanks @criticschoice — whole team @deadpoolmovie is thrilled,” the Hollywood actor wrote on his Instagram. He also congratulated Kieran Culkin as his film”A Real Pain,” tied for the honor.
Reynolds was in attendance at the J.P. Morgan summit with the CEO of Disney, Bob Iger and agent Bryan Lourd. His mother also made an appearance at the summit.
But at the Critics Choice Awards, host Chelsea Handler made a joke about Reynold’s wife Lively’s legal battle with her “It Ends With Us” co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. Currently, Baldoni is suing Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.
“I want to acknowledge that we’ve been through a lot lately, not just here in Los Angeles, but our entire country, waking up every day not knowing what news we’re going to hear that will disappoint or horrify us,” Handler said in her opening monologue for the award show.
“So it is important in times like these to have a distraction, and that’s why I want to personally extend my gratitude to Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively,” she jokingly said. She went on, “Thank you for providing us with that distraction, I’m grateful. I think we’re all grateful. And I think we’re good. I think everybody in this room, no matter whose side you’re on, we can all agree to accept that there’s probably not going to be a sequel.”
“It ends with us, guys,” she said referring to the film’s title.
Both Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s absence from the awards show was noticeable and people were quick to talk about it. One person posted on X, “Hollywood couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively were noticeably absent at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, as legal drama unfolds between the actress’ “It Ends With Us” co-star Justin Baldoni.” While another wrote on a Facebook post about their abesence, “Once again, Hollywoods elite are dodging the spotlight. Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively absence from the critics choice awards raises more question than answers.” While person added, “They dug their own graves.”
The legal drama between Baldoni and Lively has resulted in leaked text messages, leaked emails, behind-the-scenes footage being released to prove claims both parties have made at certain points in time. In the lawsuit Baldoni has filed against Lively after she accused him of sexual harassment during filming, he insists that he is being ‘falsely’ accused. His lawsuit alleges that the allegations against him are an attempt to repair the damage ‘It Ends With Us’ and its press tour caused to Lively’s reputation after she was reported to have taken control of the film. Lively and Baldoni’s legal teams were in front of a judge earlier this month to discuss a potential gag order.
Judge Lewis Liman ordered the legal teams for both celebrities to follow the New York Rules of Professional Conduct, which includes limited interaction with the press. Neither party is allowed to make any statements that may have “substantial likelihood” to making a jury prejudiced.
However, they are able to defend their clients in the media. The trial will take place next year in March 2026.
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