Blake Lively made a striking appearance at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film & TV Festival in Austin,

Texas, attending the world premiere of her highly anticipated sequel, Another Simple Favor.

Despite being in the midst of a high-profile legal battle with her former co-star and director,

Justin Baldoni, the actress appeared composed and unbothered as she walked the red

carpet.

Lively, 37, starred in the original 2018 thriller-comedy A Simple Favor alongside Anna Kendrick, and the film’s sequel has been a highly anticipated project for fans.

Director Paul Feig praised Lively’s performance and professionalism, stating, “I couldn’t love her more. She’s a dream to work with.

She’s a great collaborator. She has amazing ideas and is open to everyone’s ideas. She’s a pro.”

Lively’s Glamorous Return to the Spotlight

For the premiere, Lively dazzled in a stunning blush-colored dress, captivating fans and photographers as she confidently posed for photos. She took time to greet admirers before making her way inside the theater, her upbeat demeanor suggesting that she was not letting the ongoing legal battle overshadow her career.

This marks only the second time Lively has made a public appearance since her legal dispute with Baldoni began. Last month, she accompanied her husband, Ryan Reynolds, to the Saturday Night Live 50th-anniversary special. The event took an unexpected turn when Reynolds made a playful reference to the controversy surrounding It Ends With Us, the upcoming film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, which Lively and Baldoni both worked on.

During a segment in which Tina Fey and Amy Poehler interacted with celebrity guests in the audience, Poehler directed a question to Reynolds, saying, “Ryan Reynolds, how’s it going?” The Deadpool & Wolverine star humorously responded, “Why? What have you heard?”—a remark many interpreted as a lighthearted nod to the ongoing drama.

Legal Battle Over Confidential Messages

Just days before her SXSW appearance, Lively and Reynolds filed a legal motion requesting that their text messages with “high-profile” individuals be shielded from Baldoni and his legal team. This move comes after Baldoni publicly shared past text exchanges with Lively, which included references to her close friend, Taylor Swift.

In one of the messages, Lively allegedly described herself as Khaleesi from Game of Thrones, referring to Reynolds and Swift as “my dragons.” Another purported message stated, “For better or worse, but usually for better. Because my dragons also protect those I fight for. So really, we all benefit from those gorgeous monsters of mine. You will too, I can promise you.”

During a virtual hearing, a lawyer representing Lively and Reynolds urged Judge Lewis Liman to ensure that only the attorneys involved in the case have access to private texts exchanged during the production of It Ends With Us. However, the names of the individuals whose messages would be protected were not disclosed.

Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, pushed back against the request, arguing that such protections were unnecessary and dismissing the idea that the defense team would violate a court-ordered protective agreement. He also argued that granting this request would create an unfair advantage for celebrities and influential figures in the industry.

The $650 Million Legal Dispute

Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni, filed in December, accuses him of sexual harassment during the filming of It Ends With Us, as well as launching a smear campaign against her after she came forward with allegations. She is seeking $250 million in damages.

Baldoni and his publicists have denied all accusations and countersued Lively and Reynolds for $400 million, alleging defamation and extortion. The director claims that Lively made false allegations in an effort to regain control of the narrative following a contentious press tour for their film.

Both sides continue to deny the allegations against them, and with the trial set for March 2026, the case is expected to remain in the spotlight for the foreseeable future.

Lively Remains Focused on Her Career

While legal proceedings continue to unfold, Lively has remained focused on her career. Her attendance at SXSW signals her commitment to Another Simple Favor and her return to the big screen. With fans eagerly awaiting the sequel, Lively is pushing forward, determined not to let the controversy define her.

Despite the ongoing courtroom battle, Lively’s composed and radiant presence at the premiere suggests she is maintaining a strong front, ensuring that her work continues to take center stage.

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