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In the midst of a highly publicized legal battle, Blake Lively has earned a prestigious spot on the 2025 TIME100 Most Influential People list.
Known for her talent, grace, and activism, the 37-year-old actress finds herself at a unique crossroads, being celebrated for her social impact while facing a storm of controversy tied to her latest film project, It Ends With Us.
Let’s take a closer look at why Lively is being honored and why her name is also dominating court documents.
A Celebrated Spot on the TIME100 List
TIME Magazine’s annual TIME100 list celebrates the most influential voices across the globe. This year, it features a mix of powerhouse entertainers, athletes, advocates, and changemakers, including Serena Williams, Ed Sheeran, Demi Moore, and Snoop Dogg.
Among them is Blake Lively, recognized not just for her acting career but for her deep involvement in social justice and philanthropic causes.
In a glowing tribute written for TIME, civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill shared why Lively earned her admiration.
“She and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, reached out in 2019 to make a contribution to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund,” Ifill noted.
“I had been getting a few of these calls, as our work fighting against voter suppression and police brutality was receiving national attention. I’m always curious about the kind of research famous people do before they make that cold call to offer their support. The ones I have remained in relationship with are those who, like Blake, really did their homework.”
More Than Just Star Power
Ifill, 62, didn’t just praise Lively’s generous donation. She also highlighted the actress’s sincere effort to educate herself about America’s most deep-rooted issues, including racism, voter suppression, and inequality.
“I admired her sincere work to understand the conditions that shape this country,” she wrote. “Her commitment to filling those gaps, and becoming the most fully informed and prepared citizen, is what I appreciate most about her.”
This commitment stood out, mainly because of Lively’s public reckoning with her past. She and Reynolds faced widespread criticism for marrying at a former plantation in South Carolina in 2012. A decision both have since acknowledged as a mistake.
Ifill recalled how Lively candidly addressed this in their conversations:
“She expressed frustration about how the country’s tragic history was not part of the instruction she had received as a student.”
Source: Image Press Agency/Depositphotos
A Woman on a Mission
According to Ifill, what makes Blake Lively truly influential isn’t her fame; it’s her willingness to take risks, ask hard questions, and strive for change.
“Blake is a serious person. She’s a risk taker. And she’s committed to moving this country forward. For her children. And for mine.”
This thoughtful recognition comes at a time when Lively’s personal and professional life is under intense public scrutiny.
The Lawsuit Rocking Hollywood
While Lively’s TIME100 honor reflects her impact, she is also embroiled in a legal firestorm that has rocked the entertainment industry.
The controversy stems from the 2024 adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, It Ends With Us, a film in which Lively starred opposite Justin Baldoni, who also directed and co-produced the project.
According to court filings, Lively has accused Baldoni, 41, of harassment on set, sparking a series of lawsuits and countersuits.
Baldoni has firmly denied the allegations and, in response, filed a libel lawsuit against the New York Times over its reporting on Lively’s claims.
But the drama didn’t stop there. In January 2025, Baldoni filed a second lawsuit, this time directly targeting Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their longtime publicist Leslie Sloane.
In this new suit, Baldoni accuses the trio of defamation and extortion, claiming that they used their immense celebrity power, including their friendship with Taylor Swift, to influence the production of It Ends With Us and sway public opinion.
The case has rapidly evolved into a Hollywood showdown, with legal teams and publicists exchanging heated statements, and court documents piling up.
The highly anticipated trial between Lively and Baldoni is scheduled for March 2026, and it’s expected to attract intense media scrutiny.
Source: Image Press Agency/Depositphotos
Dual Realities: Icon and Contender
The contrast between Lively’s public honor and private turmoil couldn’t be sharper. On one hand, she is being celebrated on the world stage as a changemaker; on the other, she is caught in one of the industry’s most closely watched legal battles.
Still, her inclusion in TIME’s list suggests that her voice and values continue to resonate, despite the headlines surrounding her.
Whether it’s advocating for civil rights, raising four children with Reynolds, or facing a legal dispute head-on, Blake Lively remains a force to be reckoned with, both on and off screen.
Conclusion
Blake Lively has been included in TIME Magazine’s 2025 TIME100 Most Influential People list.
She was recognized for her activism, philanthropy, and efforts to address social and racial justice issues in the United States.
Civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill wrote Lively’s TIME100 tribute, calling her a philanthropist and a serious student of systemic American problems.
In 2019, Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, made a donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Ifill praised Lively’s dedication to doing thorough research before offering support and becoming involved.
Lively expressed regret over her 2012 wedding at a South Carolina plantation and a desire to learn more about the country’s racial history.
Ifill noted that Lively was frustrated that such history had not been part of her education and commended her commitment to filling those gaps.
Ifill described Lively as a risk taker and someone determined to move the country forward for the next generation.
Lively shares the TIME100 honor with notable figures such as Serena Williams, Ed Sheeran, Demi Moore, and Snoop Dogg.
At the same time, Lively is engaged in a legal battle with Justin Baldoni, her co-star in the 2024 film It Ends With Us.
Lively accused Baldoni of sexually harassing her on set and filed a lawsuit against him.
Baldoni denied the allegations and filed a libel lawsuit against The New York Times over their coverage of the claims.
In January 2025, Baldoni filed a second lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane for defamation and extortion.
Baldoni alleged that Lively and Reynolds used their close friendship with Taylor Swift to influence the film’s production.
The high-profile legal dispute has gained widespread media attention and is set to go to trial in March 2026.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Lively’s TIME100 recognition underscores her continuing influence in both social and cultural spheres.
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Last Updated: April 24, 2025
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