Blake Lively returned to the Met Gala in 2026 and instantly became one of the night’s biggest talking points. But while fans expected to see her arrive alongside husband Ryan Reynolds, the actor was notably absent from the carpet.
According to insiders, the decision was intentional and reportedly tied to Lively wanting to step back into the spotlight on her own terms. Her appearance also came amid reports that a legal dispute connected to “It Ends With Us” had reached a settlement.
Ryan Reynolds wanted Blake Lively to have her moment at Met Gala 2026, per source
The Daily Mail reported that Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively agreed that the 2026 Met Gala should be centered around her. “Ryan didn’t go with Blake because they both felt this moment should be hers,” an insider claimed. The source suggested Reynolds wanted to support his wife from behind the scenes, while she stepped back into the spotlight on her own.
Furthermore, the insider alleged that Lively saw the event as an opportunity to move forward after months of headlines surrounding her legal battle with Justin Baldoni. According to the source, “once a settlement started to feel like a very real possibility,” she became more confident about making a high-profile public appearance again. “Being there gave her an ego boost, and she loved that she’s still part of the conversation,” the insider added.
Despite the legal news dominating conversations earlier in the day, insiders claimed Lively appeared relaxed and upbeat throughout the evening. One source said she was reportedly “in a positive mood” and seemed eager to reconnect with people inside the event. She was allegedly seen chatting with several big stars, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Heidi Klum.
Lively’s red carpet fashion also drew immediate attention online. She arrived wearing an archival Versace gown from 2006 paired with custom Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. The look matched the gala’s “Costume Art” theme, which encouraged attendees to approach style as wearable art.
Notably, the “Gossip Girl” actor last attended the Met Gala in 2022 alongside Reynolds. Back then, the pair co-chaired the event and became one of the night’s most talked-about couples. This year, however, insiders claim the focus was intentionally shifted to Lively.
