Blake Lively has been spotted during a rare public appearance in Westport, Connecticut, offering a glimpse of the star's life away from her increasingly heated legal confrontation with former co-star Justin Baldoni.
A Low-Profile Shopping Trip
The Gossip Girl actress, aged 38, maintained a notably low profile as she completed errands at a local Trader Joe's supermarket ahead of the holiday season. This public sighting marks a departure from her recent pattern of staying out of the public eye while her legal dispute with Baldoni unfolds behind closed doors.
Lively shopped alone during this outing, with neither her husband Ryan Reynolds nor any of their four children—James, 9, Inez, 7, Betty, 4, and Olin, 1—in attendance. The couple maintains a $6 million family home in Pound Ridge, New York, which spans nearly 12 acres and includes seven bedrooms alongside a guest house and barn.
Fashion and Shopping Details
Despite the ongoing turmoil in her professional life, the actress appeared calm and relaxed while browsing the supermarket aisles. Her comfortable winter ensemble featured a chunky taupe knit cardigan paired with distressed patchwork jeans, completed by a stylish white beanie and classic tan UGG boots.
Observers noted several specific items in her shopping bags, including Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips, Trader Joe's Organic Popcorn with Olive Oil, Super Sour Scandinavian Swimmers, and fresh pomegranate seeds. Lively appeared at ease throughout her visit, engaging in conversation with store staff while waiting at the checkout before exiting with several brown paper bags in hand.
The Ongoing Legal Dispute
This casual public appearance occurs against the backdrop of Lively's continuing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, her co-star from the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel It Ends With Us. The film, which also featured Jenny Slate and Hasan Minhaj, centres around a toxic relationship between Lively's character Lily Bloom and Baldoni's character Ryle Kincaid.
The legal conflict intensified when Baldoni recently filed a motion for summary judgment that included a bombshell deleted scene from their May 2023 filming. The minute-long hospital hallway clip allegedly shows Lively's character approaching Baldoni's character, grabbing his arms, planting an unscripted kiss on him, and walking away smiling.
According to Baldoni's legal team, the kiss was not included in the original script, and Lively not only approved the addition but oversaw the scene and ensured it was included in every take.
In December 2024, Lively initiated proceedings by accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation, allegations he has consistently denied. Baldoni responded with a defamation complaint against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane, while also launching a $400 million suit against the New York Times for their reporting on Lively's claims.
Recent court developments have seen Baldoni's counterclaims dismissed in June, leaving Lively's sexual harassment lawsuit as the primary case moving forward. Claims against Lively, Reynolds, and The New York Times have reportedly been dismissed by the judge according to court documents reviewed last month.
Family Life Amid Professional Turmoil
While Lively maintained her low profile in Connecticut, her husband Ryan Reynolds was recently spotted speaking at The Wall Street Journal CMO Council Summit in New York City. During his appearance, the Deadpool actor discussed his management philosophy, emphasising that he values dissent in the workplace and feels uncomfortable with compliance.
Reynolds reflected on his early career struggles with voicing creative disagreements and his current approach to taking control of projects. He specifically noted the importance of discussing failures with his children, who primarily see his public successes through fan interactions and selfie requests.
As the legal proceedings continue without resolution, Lively's casual Westport outing demonstrates her ability to maintain personal normalcy despite the significant professional and legal challenges she currently faces.
