Ryan Reynolds praised Blake Lively in a Mother’s Day post after her lawsuit with Justin Baldoni settled before trial.
Ryan Reynolds couldn’t let Mother’s Day pass without putting his praise for Blake Lively front and center, shortly after her legal dispute with Justin Baldoni was resolved.
One week after settling her legal battle. Lively was publicly celebrated by Reynolds in a tender Mother’s Day post shared through his Instagram Stories on Sunday. May 10.. The Deadpool & Wolverine star. 49. placed his message over two photos of the couple spending time together. framing the moment as more than a holiday tribute.
“I appreciate this mother beyond measure. ” Reynolds wrote. calling Lively “kind. ” “fearless. ” and “the absolute love of my life.” He also tied the tribute directly to their family. adding that for their four little kids. she is “the life of their love.” Lively and Reynolds share daughters James. 11. Inez. 9. and Betty. 6. along with their son Olin. 2.
The timing carried extra weight because the settlement came as the parties were heading toward a trial that had been scheduled to begin Monday, May 18. In the days leading up to that date, Reynolds’s words offered a visible display of support as Lively’s legal situation moved toward closure.
Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni was filed on December 31. 2024. tied to her work with him from 2023 to 2024 ahead of It Ends With Us’ release in August 2024.. According to the claims laid out in Lively’s lawsuit. she alleged sexual harassment. a hostile work environment. and a smear campaign.. Baldoni, it was reported, repeatedly denied those allegations, and he later filed his own countersuit, which was dismissed.
Baldoni and Lively reached their out-of-court settlement on Monday, May 4, ahead of the courtroom schedule. The resolution was described as surprise, and it was communicated publicly through a joint statement carried through their attorneys.
In that statement. the parties emphasized that the end product—It Ends With Us—was a shared source of pride for those involved in bringing the film to life.. They also referenced a goal of raising awareness and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors. along with survivors more broadly.
The statement also acknowledged that the process brought challenges and recognized concerns raised by Ms. Lively that “deserved to be heard.” It further said the hope was that the settlement would bring closure and allow everyone to move forward constructively and in peace.
Lively’s remarks around Mother’s Day also painted a separate but aligned picture of the emotional arc of the week.. Earlier, she shared her own Instagram Stories tribute to her mother, Elaine Lively, on Mother’s Day.. Over a photo of Elaine. Lively wrote. “Happy Mother’s Day to the woman who chooses joy. every day. no matter what.”
In that post. Lively highlighted what she sees in her mother as she grows older—pointing to “strength and defiance” and saying Elaine helps make every day special for the people around her. including “her babies and grandbabies.” She also credited her mother with creating beauty in multiple ways. describing her hands. stories. playfulness. creativity. ingenuity. and love.
Lively’s message continued with personal thanks that echoed themes of resilience and warmth: she wrote that she is grateful for the way Elaine shaped her heart, full of “love, optimism and magic,” and that Elaine helps make “the ordinary extraordinary.” She added, “I love you. Thank you mama.”
The legal dispute also had a public support system behind it. During the lead-up to the trial, Reynolds was described as a steady pillar for his wife, telling Today during an April 19 broadcast that he stood firmly in her corner.
Reynolds told journalist Willie Geist on the program. “I’ll just say. I’ve never in my life been more proud of my wife.” With the settlement now in place. the Mother’s Day posts read like a continuation of that stance—celebrating Lively as both a mother and a partner. while also acknowledging that the case’s resolution has arrived just in time to close out a tense stretch.
In this context. the joint statement’s emphasis on creating workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments adds a backdrop to why the timing matters for public conversation.. It also underscored a desire for a respectful environment online as everyone moves forward—an outcome that. for many fans. naturally connects to what they’ve been following throughout the It Ends With Us rollout.
For viewers who may be affected by the themes of the dispute—especially those related to domestic violence—help is available. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Ryan Reynolds Blake Lively Mother’s Day Justin Baldoni lawsuit settlement It Ends With Us Instagram Stories