Since settling her lawsuit with her former co-star, Blake Lively made notable appearances at major events.
Experts and insiders have since claimed that the actress is on a mission to repair her image and brand after facing strong backlash and scrutiny due to her legal feud with Justin Baldoni.
Although the actors settled that high-profile legal battle, Blake Lively is still seeking damages due to the defamation lawsuit filed against her by Baldoni.
Blake Lively faces scrutiny over steamy Gucci outing in New York after legal drama
According to the Daily MailLively took her “rehab” tour to the Gucci fine jewelry event in New York, where she made a dazzling appearance weeks after settling her lawsuit with Baldoni.
The actress proved she’s back and ready to forget about her legal troubles by flashing a warm smile and posing for photos with a friend at the event.
It was her second night out in a row after months away from the public eye as she focused on her trial. She had already stolen the show at a Fendi party.
For her recent appearance, Lively looked effortlessly elegant as she wore a white top under a blue shirt, along with jeans and sparkling open heels.
Photos from her outing have since been posted online, and while some praised the star for her look, many others couldn’t help but criticize her, saying she was doing her best to distance herself from the “It Ends With Us” legal controversy.
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“She will never rehabilitate that personality. It’s over for her,” a second person said, while a third noted, “She hangs out with rich people at parties after saying she wants to help keep women safe. That doesn’t help.”
Actress only attends events where she can control the narrative, insiders claim
Just after her feud with Baldoni concluded, Lively made her return to the Met Gala for the first time in years, an appearance that didn’t go unnoticed, considering the intense attention she garnered with her lawsuit against the actor.
Sources now say the outing is part of a carefully planned effort by the actress to reestablish herself in Hollywood, after her reputation appeared to take a major hit during the months-long trial.
The strategy would be to attend tightly controlled events where she can control the narrative and pose in front of approved photographers.
“Blake knows exactly how powerful a perfect photograph can be,” a source said of Lively’s alleged news, according to reports. “A stunning image creates conversation without creating risk. Photos don’t require difficult follow-ups.”
Blake Lively’s Met Gala appearance was intentional
At the Met Gala, Blake Lively arrived in a pastel Atelier Versace dress with a multi-colored draped bodice, which some said was a last-minute choice after she was reportedly turned down by several designers.
Her appearance quickly made headlines, further fueled by the fact that Lively also gave an interview with Vogue in which she discussed creating the outfit.
Despite the attention her return garnered, Lively was not seen asking questions about her feud with Baldoni, which a source said was an intentional move by the actress.
“The mission is very deliberate,” says another insider. “They want the public to talk about how amazing she looks, without harping on old stories.”
Sources close to Blake Lively also claimed that the actress believed any negative traction she received in recent months could be countered with ambitious fashion moments, viral images and carefully curated public appearances.
However, it remains to be seen whether the strategy will be effective, as some are not convinced it will achieve complete success with this approach.
Actress hopes to repair relationship with Taylor Swift
Amid her feud with Baldoni, Lively’s close friendship with singer Taylor Swift appeared to weaken, with the pair not having been seen together publicly in months. With the legal dispute now resolved, the actress hopes to be able to rebuild what was lost.
“Blake truly believes there is still a path back,” an insider noted. “Now that the legal mess is over, she believes the worst is behind her and there is real hope that they can move forward.”
Despite her optimism, Lively is reportedly well aware that it may be some time before a true reconciliation can take place. She also thinks it will eventually happen now that the legal drama with Baldoni has reached some form of resolution.
“She knows everything doesn’t come back overnight,” another source said. “But Blake believes that removing chaos changes everything. She believes that once the noise is gone, there is room for real healing.”
Blake Lively seeks reimbursement of her legal fees from Justin Baldoni
Lively and Baldoni settled their lawsuit on May 4 and released a joint statement shortly after. While this would typically mark the end of the legal dispute, the case is not entirely resolved, as Lively is still in court trying to recoup legal fees she incurred suing Baldoni for sexual harassment and other claims last year.
The actress is seeking to recover those costs under a California law that allows people who report sexual misconduct to seek attorney fees and damages if the accused files a retaliatory defamation suit, as Baldoni did last year. But that case was ultimately dismissed.
For the moment, the president of the court has not yet ruled on the question. Baldoni’s lawyers argued that Lively’s request should not be granted, saying she is not entitled to these protections because the alleged incident took place primarily during filming in New Jersey.
