Ryan Reynolds’ private messages defending his wife, Blake Lively, have surfaced amid her high-profile legal battle with actor and director Justin Baldoni, shedding light on just how fiercely the Hollywood star stood by her side behind the scenes. The messages reveal Reynolds as deeply involved, outspoken, and emotionally invested as Lively faced what she alleges was sexual harassment and retaliation on set.
A spokesperson for Reynolds confirmed that the actor felt compelled to speak up, saying no husband would stay silent when his wife—and the mother of his children—is under attack. According to those close to Reynolds, he now believes he could have gone even further in publicly supporting Lively during the ordeal. His team emphasized that his actions were rooted in a broader commitment to workplace safety and respect across the entertainment industry.
Reynolds’ representatives said he watched Lively confront alleged sexual harassment in a private and professional manner, only to face what they describe as retaliation for speaking out. In retrospect, they say, Reynolds feels his response wasn’t forceful enough and that standing up for a safe work environment is a basic right, not a privilege.
Lively, 38, filed a lawsuit in December 2024 accusing Baldoni, 42, of sexual harassment and retaliation, seeking more than $160 million in damages. The case is scheduled to go to trial in New York in May 2026. Baldoni has denied the allegations and responded with a countersuit accusing Lively and Reynolds of defamation and extortion, though his claims were later dismissed by the court.
Baldoni’s attorney has maintained that the evidence does not support Lively’s allegations, arguing that recently released messages actually undermine her claims. His legal team insists the full legal process will clear Baldoni and those associated with him, asserting that the accusations are part of a larger effort to damage his reputation using Hollywood influence.
Lively’s attorneys, however, argue that evidence in the case points to widespread inappropriate behavior on set, a characterization Baldoni’s team rejects as exaggerated and misleading.
Among the newly unsealed messages are texts Reynolds sent during a crucial weekend for Lively’s film It Ends With Us, which enjoyed strong box office success. In those messages, Reynolds expressed outrage over what he viewed as unfair criticism and gossip overshadowing his wife’s achievement, insisting she deserved to celebrate without controversy. He urged Baldoni and his team to publicly shut down rumors and defend Lively’s role in the film’s success.
Other messages, sent in July 2024, show Reynolds using especially harsh language toward Baldoni, accusing him of toxic and predatory behavior and fiercely defending Lively’s professional reputation. Reynolds wrote that while Lively had worked with difficult people throughout her career, she had never encountered anyone like Baldoni, describing his conduct in scathing terms.
The release of these messages has ignited broader debate in Hollywood about power dynamics, celebrity influence, and how workplace harassment claims are handled in the public eye. Supporters view Reynolds’ texts as an emotional and principled defense of his wife, while critics argue they reflect the messy and often opaque nature of disputes among powerful industry figures.
The fallout has already had professional consequences. Baldoni was dropped by his agency, WME, in December 2024, though the agency has denied claims that Reynolds or Lively pressured them to cut ties. As the legal battle continues, the controversy shows no signs of fading, with public opinion sharply divided and scrutiny intensifying on all sides.
