Ryan Reynolds has said he has 'never been more proud' of his wife, Blake Lively, as the actress prepares to face Justin Baldoni in court in May, after accusing herIt Ends With Usco-star and director of sexual harassment, defamation and conspiracy in a high-profile civil lawsuit in the United States,DailyStarreports.
The legal war between Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni and, to a lesser extent, Ryan Reynolds has been simmering since 2024, when Lively launched a $160 million suit alleging abusive behaviour and a deliberate campaign to damage her reputation during and after production on their 2024 film.
Much of that sweeping complaint has since been pared back by a judge, but the case is still heading to trial, and the remaining issues are serious enough to have drawn in one of Hollywood's most recognisable couples.
Ryan Reynolds chose his words carefully when the subject of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni came up during an appearance on theUS Todayshow, but his support for his wife was unmistakable.
'Really, without getting into too much, I have never in my life been more proud of my wife,' he told the programme. 'People have no idea what is really going on. I've never been more proud of someone in my life, with that level of integrity that they bring with them in everything they do.'
It was a rare on-the-record intervention from Reynolds in a case that has, so far, largely played out through court documents and statements from lawyers rather than televised soundbites. His remarks underline how personally theDeadpoolstar appears to view the dispute, even as he stopped short of engaging with the specific allegations against Baldoni.
Ryan Reynolds shared his pride for how wife Blake Lively is handling her court case against ‘It Ends With Us’ director Justin Baldoni, which will head to trial after a judge dismissed 10 of her claims.https://t.co/uqGqD5hJ7Qpic.twitter.com/UXkrw3krcY
Lively, 38, filed her lawsuit in 2024 following the production ofIt Ends With Us, accusing Baldoni, 42, of subjecting her to sexual harassment on set and orchestrating a smear campaign online aimed at 'destroying' her career. She is seeking $160 million in damages, a figure that signals the scale of what she says she has suffered professionally and personally.
Last month, however, a judge significantly narrowed the scope of her case. Ten of the original thirteen claims were dismissed, including the headline-grabbing sexual harassment allegation. Three claims remain on the docket: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation.
The court has set 18 May as the trial date, meaning Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and potentially Ryan Reynolds will see their names formally tested in front of a jury rather than just in the court of public opinion.
Source: International Business Times UK
