Ryan Reynolds Says He’s ‘Never Been More Proud’ of Wife Blake Lively for ‘Level of Integrity’ amid Justin Baldoni Legal Battle
Ryan Reynolds Says He’s ‘Never Been More Proud’ of Wife Blake Lively for ‘Level of Integrity’ amid Justin Baldoni Legal Battle
Bailey RichardsSun, April 19, 2026 at 9:39 PM UTC
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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds in 2022; Justin Baldoni in 2023Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty; Dia Dipasupil/Getty -
Ryan Reynolds praised Blake Lively’s "integrity" amid her legal battle with Justin Baldoni in an interview on Sunday, April 19
“Really, without getting into too much, I have never in my life been more proud of my wife,” Reynolds said of Lively
The It Ends with Us costars' legal battle began in December 2024 and will head to trial on May 18
Ryan Reynolds has “never been more proud” of wife Blake Lively.
In an interview for Today's Sunday Sitdown Live series shared on Sunday, April 19, the Deadpool star, 49, opened up about what it has been like for his family amid the actress-producer’s legal battle with her It Ends with Us director-costar Justin Baldoni.
After Today's Willie Geist asked how his family — Reynolds, 49, and Lively, 38, share daughters James, 11, Inez, 9, and Betty, 6, and son Olin, 3 — has “managed” amid the high-profile legal saga, which began in December 2024, the actor said, “You really see the illusion behind so much of this stuff, digital life versus real life.”
“Really, without getting into too much, I have never in my life been more proud of my wife,” Reynolds continued. “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.”
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds in 2025Credit: John Nacion/Variety via Getty
Amid Lively’s ongoing legal battle, she and Reynolds have been stepping out together — the couple packed on the PDA at a Wrexham match and attended a Broadway show in March — and sharing tributes to each other online. In a January podcast appearance, Lively said that she and the actor are “best friends.”
The legal battle between Lively and her It Ends with Us costar and director Baldoni, 42, began in December 2024 when Lively filed a lawsuit against him, alleging that he subjected her to sexual harassment and that he and the other defendants orchestrated a retaliatory smear campaign “to destroy” her reputation in connection with the Colleen Hoover adaptation.
Lively is seeking more than $160 million in damages. Baldoni has denied the claims.
Baldoni later filed a $400 million countersuit against the Gossip Girl actress and her husband, alleging defamation and breach of contract. His case was dismissed in June 2025.
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Blake Lively leaving federal court in New York on Feb. 11, 2026Credit: TIMOTHY A.CLARY / AFP via Getty
Reynolds’ new comments about his wife on Today come just over a week after she called him to serve as a witness as her legal battle with Baldoni heads to trial next month. It also comes after a large setback in Lively's case.
On April 2, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims against Baldoni, including those relating to sexual harassment. Her claims involving a retaliatory smear campaign will move forward to the trial next month.
In the wake of the dismissal, a source told PEOPLE exclusively that the legal proceedings have "been emotionally taxing" for Lively.
"She didn't file this lawsuit thinking it would be easy,” the source said, referring to Lively’s initial 2024 filing. “She knew it would be a long, challenging process, but she felt it was something she needed to do. The legal battle has been emotionally taxing, but Blake has stayed focused.”
Justin Baldoni leaving federal court in New York on Feb. 11, 2026Credit: ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty
Lively's allegations have “never changed and she's looking forward to her day in court,” the source continued, adding, “She's balancing this with all her responsibilities at home. As a mom, she has many other priorities which help her stay grounded.”
The insider also said that the mom of four is “excited for some quiet time this summer with her family once this is behind her.”
Judge Liman’s latest ruling follows a Feb. 11 court-mandated settlement conference with Baldoni and Lively, which ended without an agreement. Attorneys for both celebrities have stated that the stars plan to testify during the trial, which is scheduled to begin on May 18 in New York.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
