Is Blake Lively Losing Friends Over the Justin Baldoni Scandal?

Blake Lively, known for her charm and close circle of celebrity friends, recently returned to headlines through her work and public appearances, but not due to any known legal disputes.

The lawsuit, filed in December 2024, rocked Hollywood and sparked headlines across the world. Lively accused Baldoni, her It Ends With Us co-star and director, of sexual harassment and trying to destroy her reputation with a deliberate smear campaign.

In return, Baldoni fired back with a $400 million lawsuit of his own, naming not only Lively but also her husband Ryan Reynolds, her publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times.

Let’s break down how this legal saga has impacted her relationships with some of her most famous friends.

From Close Confidante to Cautious Distance

Taylor Swift and Blake Lively were once nearly inseparable. But now, their friendship seems to be on rocky ground.

Swift was pulled into the drama early. In Lively’s original lawsuit, she mentioned Baldoni had allegedly used Swift’s name while discussing a smear campaign.

Things escalated when Baldoni included a text in his countersuit, writing, “Was working on rooftop scene today, I really love what you did. It really does hep [sic] a lot. Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor).”

In another text, he claimed Lively referred to Swift as one of her “dragons” while comparing herself to Game of Thrones’ Khaleesi.

Though Swift’s team clarified she had no role in the film aside from letting them use her song My Tears Ricochet, she was still subpoenaed in May 2025.

That added more stress, with a source saying, “Taylor is very uncomfortable about being pulled into the lawsuit. It’s a huge thing now. Her friendship with Blake is strained.” Another insider added, “Taylor was shocked to be referred to in work messages.”

Baldoni’s legal team later dropped the subpoena after Swift’s team provided information voluntarily. Lively’s rep expressed support, saying they were “pleased” and added, “We supported the efforts of Taylor’s team to quash these inappropriate subpoenas…”

Lively’s camp also praised Swift, saying, “The Baldoni and Wayfarer team have tried to put Taylor Swift, a woman who has been an inspiration for tens of millions across the globe, at the center of this case since day one… At some point, they will run out of distractions from the actual claims of sexual harassment and retaliation they are facing.”

Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid hasn’t publicly commented on the legal battle. However, her silence speaks volumes.

She appeared at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere in July 2024, showing her support for Lively and Reynolds.

But according to a source, “Gigi has always had a closer friendship with Taylor and stands by her. She has been a very loyal friend to Taylor.”

While Hadid hasn’t picked sides, she has stepped back. “They haven’t been in touch much this year and it does have everything to do with the lawsuit,” the insider said.

Hugh Jackman

Despite the chaos, Hugh Jackman seems to be staying close to both Lively and Reynolds.

While Baldoni accused Deadpool & Wolverine of mocking him through the character Nicepool and asked Disney and Marvel to preserve related documents, Jackman hasn’t publicly spoken about the case.

Still, his actions suggest support. He attended Lively’s Another Simple Favor premiere in April 2025, and she and Reynolds showed up for his off-Broadway play the same month. Jackman still follows both of them on Instagram.

The Sisterhood Stands Strong

When Lively filed her lawsuit, her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars were among the first to show support. In a joint statement, they shared:

“As Blake’s friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation.”

They also wrote, “Throughout the filming of It Ends with Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues… The hypocrisy is astounding.”

Although they haven’t commented further since then, Ferrera and Tamblyn still follow Lively and Reynolds. Bledel, who follows very few people on Instagram, does not follow the couple.

Rob McElhenney and Kaitlin Olson

Lively made a cameo on McElhenney and Reynolds’ FX show Welcome to Wrexham and attended a Wrexham game in April 2025.

In May 2025, McElhenney broke his silence: “It’s just our way of staying connected and navigating something together. And also me giving and showing as much support as I possibly can with all the other stuff that he’s got going on.”

He added, “We both are just trying to offer our support in any way that we can that doesn’t just simply add oxygen to the fire.”

McElhenney follows both Lively and Reynolds, while Olson currently only follows Reynolds.

Shawn Levy

Director Shawn Levy, known for Deadpool & Wolverine, subtly voiced support for Lively by sharing the New York Times article about her lawsuit.

He captioned it, “Proud to call @blakelively a friend.”

He hasn’t commented further, but continues to follow both Lively and Reynolds on social media.

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek has not addressed the lawsuit directly, but she recently revealed she’s still close with the Lively-Reynolds family.

“I got a chance to go play with them,” she said about visiting their four kids. “They got to see the tía Salma… They understand Spanish, and they’re lovely.”

Hayek follows both parents on Instagram, suggesting her bond with them remains strong.

Anna Kendrick

Rumors of tension between Lively and her A Simple Favor co-star Anna Kendrick started circulating during the promo for their sequel.

But a source shut down the gossip in early 2025, saying, “There aren’t any issues between Blake and Anna right now.”

Kendrick has kept quiet about the lawsuit and avoided questions during the SXSW premiere of their film.

Robyn Lively and Bart Johnson

Blake’s half-sister, Robyn, and her brother-in-law, Bart Johnson, have been among her most vocal supporters.

Right after Blake filed her lawsuit, Johnson wrote, “My hero,” in support of her. He also took a jab at Baldoni in a since-deleted post, calling him a “fraud” and mocking his “man bun.”

Johnson later apologized, writing, “Anytime I’ve said anything unkind about someone, I’ve regretted it… There’s a better way.”

Final Thoughts

Blake Lively’s legal fight with Justin Baldoni has clearly affected her public and private life.

Some friends are standing strong by her side. Others are quietly stepping back or choosing not to get involved.

While the court battle continues and the truth unfolds, one thing remains clear: friendships in Hollywood can be just as complicated as the stories on screen.

Stay tuned for updates as the March 2026 trial date approaches.

TL;DR

• Blake Lively is embroiled in a legal battle with Justin Baldoni, her It Ends With Us co-star and director, over allegations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign.
• Justin Baldoni countersued Blake, Ryan Reynolds, her publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times, accusing Lively of trying to take control of the film and excluding him from promotions.
• Taylor Swift’s friendship with Lively has been strained, as both sides referenced her in their lawsuits. Swift was subpoenaed but later released after voluntary cooperation.
• Gigi Hadid has distanced herself from Lively, reportedly staying loyal to Swift and avoiding involvement in the legal drama.
• Hugh Jackman remains friendly with Lively and Reynolds but has been indirectly linked to the case through Baldoni’s claims against Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine.
• The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Amber Tamblyn publicly supported Lively early in the case and condemned Baldoni’s alleged actions.
• Rob McElhenney and Kaitlin Olson have shown support for Lively, emphasizing their quiet encouragement during this challenging time.
• Director Shawn Levy backed Lively publicly after her lawsuit was first reported and continues to follow her on social media.
• Salma Hayek expressed subtle support by praising Lively and Reynolds’ family and maintaining a close personal relationship.
• Anna Kendrick has remained silent, but insiders say there’s no tension between her and Lively despite public speculation.
• Blake’s family, including Robyn Lively and Bart Johnson, have been vocally supportive, with Johnson initially criticizing Baldoni before apologizing for his tone.

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If you liked this, you might also like:

• Blake Lively Lands on TIME100’s 2025 List as Lawsuit Looms
• Justin Baldoni’s Wayfarer Foundation Shuts Down

This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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Did Anna Kendrick Just Shade Blake Lively at SXSW?

At SXSW, Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reunited for Another Simple Favor. But did Anna’s sharp wit steal the spotlight?

When asked about working with Blake, Instead of the usual Hollywood niceties, Kendrick dropped a sarcastic reply that had fans raising eyebrows. Was it just playful banter, or was there some real tea brewing?

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The Question That Started It All

An interviewer dared to ask Anna about her experience working with Blake, and you could almost hear the collective gasp. With the room hanging onto her every word, Anna’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she crafted her response.

Everyone knew she had a sharp wit, and this was the perfect moment to let it shine. Was she about to spill tea or play it cool?

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Anna’s Witty Retort

Anna’s words dripped with just the right amount of playful ambiguity. “Oh, you know,” she teased, flashing a knowing grin that sent social media into a frenzy.

Was it an inside joke, a casual remark, or something deeper? The way she said it made everyone lean in a little closer.

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Social Media Erupts

The internet wasted no time turning Anna’s remark into a viral spectacle. Fans dissected her every word like detectives, analyzing every pause and smirk.

Some declared her the queen of sarcasm, while others sensed an underlying dig. Memes of Anna’s expression spread like wildfire, with captions questioning her true intent.

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Blake Lively’s Legal Storm with Justin Baldoni

While gearing up for Another Simple Favor, Blake found herself caught in an entirely different drama. A lawsuit involving Justin Baldoni has put her name in headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Fans are now dissecting her every move, and her press tour fashion is the least of their focus. Amid this legal mess, Anna’s SXSW comment couldn’t have come at a juicier time.

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Blake’s Poised Response

Blake Lively, ever the epitome of grace, seemed unfazed by the buzz. She continued her promotional duties with a smile, shutting down feud rumors effortlessly.

While Anna served sass with her cryptic response, Blake took the high road with charm. “Oh, it’s the best! I’m so happy to be here,” she said, effortlessly shutting down feud rumors.

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Director Paul Feig Weighs In

YouTuber Melanie King fueled the fire by claiming Blake was “terrified to walk the carpet” because Anna was “pissed and never wants to work with her again.” That bold statement didn’t sit well with Another Simple Favor director Paul Feig.

He quickly shut down the rumors with a blunt response: “Um … you’re wrong.” But did his words put the drama to rest, or did they just add more fuel to the fire?

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Fans Take Sides

The internet wasted no time choosing teams—Team Anna and Team Blake went head-to-head. Some applauded Anna’s sharp wit, calling it refreshingly honest.

Others admired Blake’s effortless composure, insisting she took the high road. Was Anna’s sarcasm just playful banter, or did Blake’s grace prove she had nothing to prove?

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A Long-Standing Feud?

Rumors of tension between Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively have floated around since 2018, but nothing concrete ever surfaced. They always brushed it off, keeping things strictly professional in public.

But Anna’s latest comment just cracked open that door again. Was this sarcasm laced with truth, or just another playful jab?

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A Simple Favor’s On-Screen Magic

Back in A Simple Favor, Anna and Blake played a complex duo—an odd friendship laced with secrets and power plays. Their on-screen chemistry was so sharp it had fans convinced they were besties in real life.

But the red-carpet interactions told a different story. Despite the smiles and poses, some clips had fans wondering if the “friendship” was just for the cameras.

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Press Tour Awkwardness?

During the A Simple Favor promo, the actresses shared laughs, but some moments felt… off. There were subtle digs, Blake teasing Anna, and Anna throwing back her own witty remarks.

It wasn’t outright hostility, but let’s just say they weren’t finishing each other’s sentences. Looking back, was this the start of an underlying tension?

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Anna’s Sarcasm Strikes Again

Anna Kendrick is no stranger to a well-timed quip, and SXSW was no exception. Her delivery was so effortlessly deadpan that it left the audience questioning—was she joking or was there truth in it?

Fans love her for this no-nonsense attitude, but did she just expose a long-rumored feud? The internet certainly thinks so, and they’re having a field day with it.

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Blake’s Image at Stake

With Another Simple Favor hitting screens, Blake can’t afford any missteps. Her name is already tangled in legal drama, making every public move critical.

A single misinterpreted moment could shift the narrative against her. Now more than ever, she needs to keep the focus on her work, not the whispers.

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What This Means for Another Simple Favor

With all this drama, Another Simple Favor now has more buzz than ever. Some fans are eager to watch for the plot, while others just want to analyze every interaction between the leading ladies.

Will their on-screen magic still work, or will fans be too distracted by the off-screen tension? One thing’s for sure—this sequel just got a whole lot more interesting.

If you can’t get enough of Anna and Blake’s dynamic, check out Anna Kendrick & Blake Lively Return for a Twisty Sequel for all the details on their much-anticipated comeback.

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Future Collaborations in Jeopardy?

Rumors swirled about whether Anna and Blake would ever share the screen again. Industry insiders questioned if the tension was real or just playful banter.

Would their undeniable chemistry outweigh the backstage drama? Or had this witty exchange sealed the fate of the duo’s future projects? Only time would tell.

Dive into Famous Celebrity Feuds That Became Friendships to see how Hollywood rivalries turned into unexpected bonds!

Love the drama? Drop a like and tell us whose side you’re on in the comments!

Read More From This Brand:

• Blake Lively: Law Suit Sparks Social Media Firestorm
• Justin Baldoni’s Financial Setback in Blake Lively Clash

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