Blake Lively's sister, Robyn Lively, has voiced her support for Blake following her TIME100 Gala speech, which alluded to her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni. The speech, delivered on April 24, 2025, at Jazz at the Lincoln Center in New York City, saw Blake being honored as one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people.
During her speech, Blake reflected on trauma, survival, and the importance of women's voices. While she didn't directly name Baldoni, she alluded to their legal dispute and praised her mother, Willie Elaine McAlpin, as "a survivor of the worst crime". Blake shared that her mother was attacked by a work acquaintance before she was born and emphasized the impact of women sharing their experiences to help others survive. She highlighted her mother's strength and the importance of acknowledging the power of female triumph.
Robyn Lively, in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE on May 10, 2025, at iHeartRadio's 102.7 KIIS FM Wango Tango, expressed her pride in her sister's speech. "[I'm] very proud. Just so you know, very proud," Robyn said, while her husband, actor Bart Johnson, echoed her sentiment. Robyn's support comes amidst a tumultuous legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, her It Ends With Us co-star and director.
Blake Lively initially sued Baldoni in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign. Baldoni denied the allegations and filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing them of civil extortion and defamation. The legal battle has been marked by accusations and counter-accusations, with a trial scheduled for March 2026.
In her TIME100 speech, Blake touched upon the responsibilities that come with influence, stating, "who and what we stand up for, and what we stay silent about, what we monetize versus what we actually live, matters". She acknowledged the "last two years" of her life, alluding to the ongoing legal battle. Despite the challenges, Blake expressed it was "surreal and deeply significant" to be an honoree "in a time where the most valuable currency seems to be anger, it feels like an act of defiance to commune and celebrate all the good that is alive in the world".
Blake's legal team has stated that she intends to testify at the trial. Her attorney, Mike Gottlieb, asserted that the focus should be on the alleged retaliation campaign against her for raising concerns about sexual harassment. Lively herself acknowledged the "intense year" she has had, filled with both highs and lows, during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
The legal battle has drawn attention to the issues of sexual harassment and retaliation in the entertainment industry. Robyn Lively's public support for her sister underscores the solidarity within the family as Blake navigates this challenging period. Blake's decision to use her TIME100 platform to speak about her mother's experience and allude to her own legal battle highlights her commitment to using her influence to raise awareness about these important issues.
