Blake Lively made a highly anticipated return to the red carpet at SNL50: The Anniversary Special alongside her husband, Ryan Reynolds. 

While the event was meant to be a celebration of Saturday Night Live’s 50-year legacy, 

Lively’s appearance carried extra weight due to the ongoing legal battle between her and It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni.

A source close to the actress revealed to People that Lively, 37, had conflicting emotions about stepping back into the spotlight. 

The insider shared that while she was “nervous” about attending, she was also “excited to be out with friends and support ‘Saturday Night Live,’” a show she once hosted in 2009.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Enjoyed Their Night Out

Despite her initial apprehension, Lively reportedly had a great time at the event. “They had a great time,” the source said about Lively and Reynolds, 48. “It was nice getting out of the house and being around friends and familiar faces.”

Following the live taping, the couple mingled backstage with a star-studded crowd, including Ben Stiller, Paul McCartney, Tom Hanks, and Rita Wilson. Lively was also spotted chatting with Dakota Johnson and was seen embracing comedian Amy Schumer. Schumer had previously voiced her support for Lively following her allegations against Baldoni.

Back in December, when Lively first came forward with her claims, Schumer, 43, took to Instagram Stories to share her support, writing, “I believe Blake.”

Ryan Reynolds Jokes About Legal Drama During the Live Show

During the special, Reynolds made a subtle but pointed reference to the ongoing legal situation. In a segment where Tina Fey and Amy Poehler took questions from the audience, Poehler asked him, “Ryan Reynolds, how’s it going?”

Without missing a beat, Reynolds stood up, glanced around the room, and responded, “Why? What have you heard?” His quick-witted remark was met with laughter from the audience, but it was widely interpreted as a nod to the legal battle between Lively, Baldoni, and himself.

Blake Lively’s Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni

Lively made headlines in December 2024 when she filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, 41, accusing him of sexual harassment and attempting to smear her reputation. The allegations stemmed from their work together on It Ends With Us, a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel.

Baldoni has denied all allegations and countersued both Lively and Reynolds, accusing them of defamation, extortion, and other claims. In response, Lively and Reynolds have categorically denied Baldoni’s accusations.

Support from It Ends With Us Co-Stars and Author Colleen Hoover

Lively has received strong support from those involved in It Ends With Us, including co-stars Brandon Sklenar and Jenny Slate, as well as author Colleen Hoover.

Sklenar, 34, notably shared a New York Times article outlining Lively’s claims on social media back in December, signaling his stance on the matter.

During a recent interview on CBS Mornings, Sklenar was asked about the ongoing legal dispute but steered the conversation toward the film’s message. “I just want people to remember why we made the movie and what it stands for,” he said. “That movie meant so much to me. I have someone very, very close to me in my life who’s gone through what Lily’s going through for a long time, and I’ve been on the front lines helping her navigate that space.”

Baldoni, in turn, has taken legal action against The New York Times, filing a $250 million lawsuit against the publication for libel and false light invasion of privacy.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Continue to Make Public Appearances

While the legal battle continues, Lively and Reynolds have not shied away from making public appearances. Just one night before SNL50, the couple attended Chris Rock’s 60th birthday party in New York City, where they posed for a photo with SNL alum Chevy Chase.

Despite the challenges she’s facing, Lively appears to be maintaining a strong support system, both personally and professionally. With her legal fight still unfolding, it remains to be seen how it will impact the upcoming release of It Ends With Us.

For now, Lively’s return to the red carpet marks a significant moment—one that proves she’s ready to move forward, despite the storm surrounding her.
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