Blake Lively made headlines with her return to the 2026 Met Gala, but her appearance came at a particularly notable moment. The “Gossip Girl” star stepped onto the iconic red carpet just as news broke about a reported lawsuit settlement involving her and Justin Baldoni. The convergence of these two developments quickly fueled conversation online and across entertainment media.
Blake Lively attends Met Gala 2026 amid news of her lawsuit settlement with Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively stepped onto the Met Gala carpet on Monday, marking her return to the event after a brief absence. Her appearance came the same day reports emerged that her legal dispute connected to “It Ends With Us” had reached a resolution. According to statements released by legal representatives on both sides, they reached an agreement ahead of a planned trial later in May.
The joint statement, issued by attorneys representing both Lively and Justin Baldoni, suggested the parties were looking to move forward. It described the film as “a source of pride” and emphasized a shared goal of raising awareness around serious social issues. The statement also acknowledged that the process had been challenging and noted that concerns raised by Lively during the dispute “deserved to be heard.” It concluded with an expressed hope for “closure” and a more constructive path ahead.
Despite the legal news unfolding earlier in the day, Lively’s red carpet moment remained firmly in the spotlight. She chose an archival Atelier Versace gown from 2006, pairing it with custom jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz. The look aligned with the evening’s “Costume Art” theme, which encouraged guests to approach fashion as a form of artistic expression.
This appearance marked a notable return for Lively, who last attended the Met Gala in 2022 alongside her husband, Ryan Reynolds. That year, she served as co-chair and delivered one of the night’s most memorable fashion moments with a dramatic gown transformation inspired by New York City landmarks.
