Blake Lively Sends Family to Support Ryan Reynolds' Premiere Amidst Taylor Swift Friendship Strain
Unable to attend the premiere of her husband Ryan Reynolds' newest cinematic endeavor, Blake Lively strategically dispatched the perfect stand-ins: her whole family.
On Thursday, October 2, Reynolds, 48, graced the red carpet for the debut of the documentary John Candy: I Like Me, accompanied by Blake’s siblings Robin and Lori Lively, along with her niece Kate Johnson. Reynolds holds a co-producer credit for the documentary.
This film serves as a heartfelt homage to the revered comedian and performer, who tragically passed away on March 4, 1994, at 43 years old due to a cardiac arrest. The premiere also saw the presence of Macaulay Culkin, Colin Hanks, and Martin Short, all of whom appear in the movie.
While Blake was absent from her husband's public event, she dedicated time on Friday, October 3, to commemorate the launch of her friend Taylor Swift’s newest record, The Life of Showgirl — all this while the It Ends With Us actress remains embroiled in a legal dispute with the movie's director and her fellow actor, Justin Baldoni.
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Blake demonstrated her support by clicking “like” on Swift’s Instagram announcement regarding the album's debut.
The legal conflict involving Baldoni originated in December 2024, at which time she leveled accusations against the director for sexual harassment and orchestrating a defamation effort. Baldoni refuted these claims and initiated a counter-lawsuit, which was subsequently thrown out in June 2025.
Blake’s legal action remains active, with both parties scheduled for a court appearance in March 2026. Baldoni’s legal representatives also issued a subpoena to Swift, 35, who has consistently disavowed any participation in the production of It Ends With Us.
“Taylor Swift did not once visit the movie set, she had no hand in any casting or artistic choices, she did not compose the film's music, nor did she ever review an edit or provide feedback on the picture,” Swift’s spokesperson declared in a May 2025 statement to Us Weekly. “She only viewed It Ends With Us weeks following its public debut, having spent 2023 and 2024 touring worldwide on the most successful concert series ever.”
Baldoni’s legal counsel retracted the subpoena before the end of that month.
“We are gratified that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties have rescinded their vexatious subpoenas issued to Taylor Swift and and her legal representatives,” a statement from Lively’s team announced at that point. “We endorsed the actions of Taylor’s team to invalidate these improper subpoenas aimed at her attorney, and we will persist in advocating for any third party unfairly harassed or menaced throughout this litigation.”
Regrettably, the bond between the two women seems to have suffered consequences from the ongoing legal exchanges.
“Despite this positive development for Blake, her friendship with Taylor has not yet been reignited,” an anonymous source revealed to Us. “Taylor has not communicated with Blake and continues to avoid any conversation concerning the legal proceedings.”
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Swift was drawn back into the couple’s legal dispute approximately four months subsequent when Baldoni’s legal representatives sought a deposition. A letter forwarded to the judge in September 2025 from the director’s legal counsel stated that Swift consented to a deposition in October. Swift’s personal legal team asserted that the vocalist was “compelled” to participate in the testimony. The judge subsequently denied Baldoni’s plea for more time to depose Swift.
