Blake Lively’s return to the Met Gala on May 5, 2026, coincided with the settlement of her legal battle with co-star Justin Baldoni. The settlement came just before a costly civil trial that was set to begin on May 18, 2026.
Lively accused Baldoni of inappropriate on-set behavior during the filming of It Ends with Us. Her initial complaint included allegations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign against her.
The movie It Ends with Us made over $350 million at the box office in 2024, highlighting its commercial success. Lively’s attorney stated that the case exposed a “smear machine” behind the allegations.
A judge dismissed ten of Lively’s thirteen civil claims, including all claims for harassment. This left only three claims upheld for trial.
Lively attended the Met Gala wearing an archival Atelier Versace gown. This marked her return after not attending since 2022, following the birth of her fourth child. The gown featured three-dimensional architectural elements inspired by 18th-century Venetian Rococo paintings.
In a joint statement, Lively and Baldoni expressed hope for closure and a constructive future. They stated, “The end product – the movie It Ends with Us – is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life.”
Blake Lively remarked, “I hope the Court’s decision shows others that, as unfathomably painful as it is, you can speak up.” She added that attending the gala was an honor she did not take lightly.
