Blake Lively Celebrates Another Simple Favor SXSW Premiere Amid Legal Battle with Justin Baldoni:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(958x455:960x457):format(webp)/SXSW-Blake-Lively-031125-111e7ac659674085a17b8cbaaa2da259.jpg)
Blake Lively made a triumphant return to the spotlight at the SXSW premiere of her upcoming film, Another Simple Favor. The Gossip Girl alum, 37, took to social media on March 11 to share her excitement and gratitude for the overwhelming support she received during the festival.
“Watching @asimplefavor opening night @sxsw felt like a rock concert. Thank you to the very best audience,” Lively wrote on Instagram alongside a carousel of red carpet photos. She also gave a nod to the Texas crowd, adding, “Texas turns it out.”
Reflecting on the experience, she continued, “Making this movie was already the gift, every element of it. To share it with you all and feel the love returned to us was the best feeling. Thank you for having us, Austin.” The actress even made a playful remark about her striking outfit for the night: “And yes. It’s latex 👗😊.”
A Return to the Screen Amid Legal Controversy:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(499x0:501x2):format(webp)/blake-lively-martini-purse-04-031025-83b5956a375d44b0ae55f1bc235c717c.jpg)
Another Simple Favor, a sequel to the 2018 comedic thriller A Simple Favor, reunites Lively with Anna Kendrick as they reprise their roles of Emily Nelson and Stephanie Smothers. The film marks Lively’s first major movie release since becoming embroiled in a high-profile legal battle with actor-director Justin Baldoni.
Lively and Baldoni, 41, who worked together on It Ends With Us, have been locked in a contentious legal dispute. In December 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him and others of sexual harassment and orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign—allegations Baldoni has denied. The following month, Baldoni countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, claiming defamation and extortion.
Despite the ongoing legal turmoil, Lively stepped back into the public eye earlier this year, attending Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special alongside Reynolds in February. A source close to Lively told PEOPLE that while she was initially hesitant, the event helped her ease back into the public sphere.
“She still thought it was the perfect opportunity to ease back into the spotlight,” the insider shared. “As soon as they arrived, they received a warm welcome. It was a great event.”
Looking Ahead
While Lively has largely kept a low profile, she is gearing up for the promotional tour of Another Simple Favor, set for release on Amazon Prime Video on May 1.
“She wouldn’t mind staying out of the spotlight longer, but she has to get back to work with Anna Kendrick soon,” the source revealed. “She feels more ready now. She knows it will be a long year with continued drama, but she’s just trying to focus on the good things. Her family is everything to her.”