05 May,2026 10:59 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Blake Lively (Pic/AFP)
After nearly two years of legal battle, actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have settled their dispute related to the film It Ends With Us, bringing an end to a long and public courtroom fight. The settlement comes just two weeks before a planned federal trial. Hours after settling the dispute, Lively stepped onto the Met Gala 2026 red carpet in a stunning look.
Appearing poised at the high-profile event, Lively wore a pastel-toned gown featuring hues of peach, purple, and yellow, complete with a bejewelled bodice and a flowing train. The look echoed the grandeur of her Statue of Liberty-inspired ensemble from the 2022 Met Gala.
This year's theme, Costume Art, accompanied by the dress code Fashion Is Art, aligned with her visually expressive outfit. Notably absent from the gala was Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds. The Met Gala 2026 was held on Monday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Lively's appearance also comes amid the release of Another Simple Favour (2025), the sequel to the 2019 film directed by Paul Feig and co-starring Anna Kendrick, now streaming on Prime Video.
The legal battle began in December 2024, when Lively filed a complaint. She accused Baldoni, who was also the director of the film, of sexual harassment during the shoot. She also said that when she raised concerns, she faced retaliation and a planned online campaign against her. Baldoni later filed a defamation case against Lively and the publication, saying his image had been harmed.
Earlier in the case, Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 out of Lively's 13 civil claims, including all harassment claims. The remaining claims included retaliation, aiding and abetting retaliation, and breach of contract, Variety reported.
Now, in a joint statement released on Monday, both sides spoke about moving ahead and closing this chapter. According to Variety, the statement read, "Source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life. Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors - and all survivors - is a goal that we stand behind."
"We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognise concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard. We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments. It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online," the statement further read.
