Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' attendance at the "Saturday Night Live" 50th anniversary special has drawn criticism from Hollywood insiders, with some questioning whether the couple should have skipped the event amid Lively's ongoing legal battle with her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. The couple's presence, as well as Reynolds' joking reference to the lawsuit, has led some to speculate that their appearance could be used against Lively in court.
"It's very plausible that Justin's legal team will use this public outing to defend Baldoni," a source told Page Six, emphasizing that the director has treated the lawsuit "with all seriousness and isn't making a public mockery out of it." Lively's lawsuit, which accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment, has led to a bitter legal dispute between the two sides, with allegations of smear campaigns and professional retaliation.
During the live taping, Reynolds, 48, was called out by SNL legends Tina Fey and Amy Poehler in the audience. "Ryan Reynolds! How's it going?" they asked. In response, Reynolds quipped, "Great! Why, what have you heard?"-a remark widely interpreted as a reference to the controversy surrounding It Ends With Us. The comment received laughs, but insiders say it may not have been well-received by all attendees.
A source at the event told TMZ that many guests were "confused" as to why Lively and Reynolds chose to attend given the lawsuit's prominence. Blake and Ryan "were the talk of the entire evening," the source said, adding that "many people avoided them." Another guest reportedly overheard someone asking, "Who told them to come?" in reference to the couple's presence at the star-studded gathering.
Despite the mixed reactions, another eyewitness described the couple as "super popular" at the event, with enthusiastic cheers from fans outside the venue. The source noted that Lively had a "nice interaction" with Dakota Johnson and that she and Reynolds were seen chatting with Woody Harrelson while waiting in line for the red carpet. After the show, the pair reportedly stayed in the 30 Rock studio for an hour, mingling and taking selfies with cast members and crew before leaving alongside Paul McCartney. They did not attend the after-party, opting to go home instead.
Sources close to Lively say she had hesitations about attending the event but ultimately decided to go. "Blake and Ryan have no regrets about making an appearance," an insider told Page Six, adding that the couple "has nothing to hide and no reason not to." Another source noted that Lively and Reynolds "were two of the last people to leave Studio 8H."
The lawsuit, filed by Lively, has become a flashpoint in Hollywood, with both sides making public and legal maneuvers. Baldoni has denied the allegations, and his legal team has suggested that the lawsuit is part of a broader campaign to damage his reputation. Lively's camp, however, maintains that her claims are serious and that she is standing up against misconduct in the industry.
