Blake Lively returned to the Met Gala 2026 on the same day her legal fight reached a lawsuit settlement. The timing made her red-carpet appearance read like a public reset after months of headlines. The actress, a former Met Gala co-chair, arrived at the May 4 benefit in archival Atelier Versace. A new source said she looked “fearless” as she moved through the room and on the carpet.
Blake Lively proved she’s ‘standing strong’ at Met Gala 2026 amid lawsuit settlement, per source
As per a PEOPLE report, Blake Lively attended the event as a Vogue guest. She sat at Anna Wintour’s table after walking the carpet in a spring 2006 Atelier Versace gown. She also wore custom Lorraine Schwartz jewelry for the “Costume Art” theme. A source said she appeared “strong, confident, fearless.” The insider added she was “standing strong” and “chatting” with guests inside. The same source said she “didn’t avoid anybody or any conversations.” Then, the insider added, “She smiled, and she looked comfortable.”
Earlier on May 4, both legal teams announced the lawsuit settlement. Lively’s lawyers, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, joined Wayfarer Studios’ lawyers in the statement. Those lawyers were Bryan Freedman and Ellyn Garofalo. The case began in December 2024 and was set for trial on May 18. The statement called the movie “It Ends With Us” a “source of pride.” It said “raising awareness” for survivors remained “a goal that we stand behind.” It also said Lively’s concerns “deserved to be heard.” The statement added, “We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments.” It hoped for “closure” and “peace.”
Meanwhile, the appearance marked Lively’s first Met Gala since 2022. That year, she co-chaired with her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.” She wore another Atelier Versace gown, with a train revealed on the steps. This time, her return came hours after settlement news, giving the carpet moment added legal context. The “Gossip Girl” alum kept focus on the event and her public return.
