According to multiple body language experts, Blake Lively displayed “reserved sadness” at the Met Gala 2026. The actress had been involved in a long-running lawsuit with her co-star Justin Baldoni, with whom she starred in the film “It Ends With Us.” The case recently reached a settlement. Following that, Lively was reportedly seen displaying signs of tenseness at her Met Gala appearance.
Blake Lively showcased ‘signs of discomfort’ at Met Gala 2026 amid lawsuit settlement, per expert
Body language experts suggest that Blake Lively displayed “signs of discomfort” during her appearance at the Met Gala 2026, following the recent settlement of her lawsuit. Lively had sued her “It Ends With Us” co-star and director Justin Baldoni in 2024 for sexual harassment and creating an unfavorable work environment. In response, Baldoni filed a defamation lawsuit, alleging that her claims were false.
The case was settled this month, after which the “Gossip Girl” star stepped out at the Met Gala 2026. She turned heads in a dazzling gown with a flowing silhouette. While her look drew attention, it was her demeanor that sparked conversation, with experts pointing to moments of “reserved sadness.”
Traci Brown, a behavior analyst, decoded Lively’s expressions and demeanor. She told Page Six, “Primarily, she’s radiating happiness with that big open-mouth smile. And in a couple of other moments, we see a closed-mouth smile that doesn’t quite reach all the way to her eyes.” She continued, “There’s a reserved sadness there. Could these be a reflection of the settlement? Absolutely. Could it be something else? Yes.”
Meanwhile, another expert, Darren Stanton, noted that she didn’t appear genuinely happy. He said, “Blake Lively appears to be projecting confidence, with her hands on her hips to make herself appear larger — a classic body language signal of self-assurance.” The expert further added that she showed “subtle signs of discomfort.” He also highlighted that she seemed “slightly tense” and not as calm as she usually appears.
