Additional Coverage:
- Blake Lively struts Met Gala red carpet hours after reaching settlement with Justin Baldoni (themirror.com)
Blake Lively made a striking return to the Met Gala red carpet following a brief absence, just hours after news surfaced that her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni had been settled. The 38-year-old actress captivated attendees wearing a stunning butter-yellow Versace gown from 2006, adorned with pastel pink and purple accents and featuring a dramatic 13-foot train. Blake described the dress as an artistic representation of sunrises, sunsets, and watercolor effects, perfectly aligning with the gala’s theme, “Fashion is Art.”
Adding a personal touch, Blake carried a custom handbag made from watercolor paintings created by each of her four children. Speaking to Vogue on the red carpet, she shared, “My kids each painted a painting, a watercolor painting, so each of my four kids did this.” This creative accessory continued Blake’s tradition of memorable Met Gala looks, which have often been celebrated among the event’s best.
Earlier in the week, on May 4, Blake’s lawsuit regarding the film “It Ends With Us” concluded with a settlement. Representatives for the parties involved issued a joint statement emphasizing their pride in the film and their commitment to supporting survivors of domestic violence. They acknowledged the challenges throughout the process and expressed hope that the resolution would bring closure and foster a respectful environment moving forward.
Blake had accused Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment during the film’s production, including an incident involving a video of his wife’s live birth. Following the movie’s release, Blake faced significant online bullying, which she later described as a coordinated smear campaign, claiming it cost her approximately $300 million in lost opportunities.
Justin Baldoni denied the allegations and filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake and her husband, Ryan Reynolds; however, his claims were ultimately dismissed. Meanwhile, most of Blake’s claims were also dismissed on a legal technicality-the court ruled that as an independent contractor rather than an employee, she was not protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman noted that creative artists require some freedom to experiment within agreed-upon scripts without the constant threat of harassment claims.
Nevertheless, Blake’s claims of retaliation and breach of contract were permitted to proceed, with the judge indicating that Baldoni’s public relations team may have “crossed the line.” The settlement was reached just two weeks before the scheduled trial.
Blake has been a familiar presence at the Met Gala, attending ten times since her debut in 2008. She notably missed the event in 2023, 2024-the year she filed her lawsuit-and 2025. At the 2026 gala, her husband Ryan Reynolds was absent, marking a departure from previous years when he typically accompanied her.