Blake Lively made a high-profile return to the public eye at the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary special alongside her husband, Ryan Reynolds. 

However, reports suggest that the Gossip Girl actress was apprehensive 

about attending the star-studded event due to the ongoing legal battle with her It Ends With Us co-star, Justin Baldoni.

Lively, 37, filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, 41, last year, alleging sexual harassment that caused her “severe emotional distress.” 

In her legal complaint, she also accused him of orchestrating a smear campaign intended to damage her reputation.

Baldoni, however, has vehemently denied the allegations. 

In January, he countered with a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Reynolds, 48, claiming they had conspired to ruin his career. With tensions running high, Lively’s decision to step back into the public spotlight at SNL’s milestone celebration became a topic of speculation.

Lively’s Nerves About Public Appearance

A source close to the actress told People that while Lively was “nervous” about making a public appearance amid the legal drama, she was also “excited to be out with friends and support Saturday Night Live.” The event, which celebrated five decades of the legendary sketch show, brought together some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Lively and Reynolds, who were seen enjoying the evening together.

During the event, Reynolds took part in a comedic Q&A session with SNL icons Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. At one point, he stood up in the audience and asked, “I have a question,” prompting Fey to respond with, “Oh, Ryan Reynolds, how’s it going?”

In what appeared to be a lighthearted moment, Reynolds quipped, “Great – why, what have you heard?” His remark, which many interpreted as a reference to the lawsuits, immediately drew laughter from the audience.

Backlash Over Reynolds’ Joke

While the moment was met with amusement in the room, reactions online were mixed. Some fans defended Reynolds, suggesting that the exchange was scripted and that Lively was likely in on the joke. Others, however, criticized him for making light of a serious legal matter involving his wife.

Licensed clinical social worker Shari Botwin weighed in on the controversy, telling the Daily Mail that Reynolds’ comments were problematic. “Jokes about sexual harassment reinforce rape culture and further silence victims,” she explained.

Botwin went on to say, “Reynolds may have stepped out of line by mocking his wife’s lawsuit. People tend to joke about issues involving sexual violence because they are uncomfortable, or they do not understand the impact. Jokes made by Reynolds about his wife’s lawsuit minimize her claims and distance Reynolds from being her partner in a situation that is Blake’s alleged reality.”

Public Reaction and the Couple’s Response

Following the controversial moment, Reynolds continued with the lighthearted segment, asking, “You know the materials they made the Coneheads with – are those edible?” The audience once again laughed, but the backlash continued online.

Critics accused Reynolds and Lively of using the high-profile event to shift public perception in their favor amid negative media coverage. Others felt that the actor’s joke was inappropriate given the nature of the legal battle.

Despite the criticism, sources maintain that the couple had a “great time” at the event and that Lively was happy to be back in a public setting after months of legal drama. Whether or not the backlash will impact their public image remains to be seen, but the SNL appearance has undoubtedly fueled further discussion about their ongoing legal saga.

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