Actress Blake Lively, 37, has chosen to sit out the 2025 Golden Globes, as reported by Deadline. This decision comes amid her legal dispute with her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. Notably, Lively’s absence from the awards ceremony on Sunday, January 5, will be mirrored by her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and his co-star from Deadpool & Wolverine, Hugh Jackman.
Sources close to the situation revealed to Deadline that the trio of actors had made the decision to skip the Golden Globes well before Lively initiated her legal proceedings against Baldoni. The ongoing legal battle centers around Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment and a purported campaign to defame her character, which she leveled against Baldoni and his associates in December 2024.
Representatives for Lively were notably unavailable for comment when contacted by PEOPLE on Saturday, January 4. The lawsuit filed by Baldoni against The New York Times on December 31, to the tune of $250 million, directly responded to the newspaper’s coverage of Lively’s complaint. In response, a spokesperson for The Times maintained that their reporting had been thorough and responsible.
Despite the significant developments in this legal saga, it has been confirmed that Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser will refrain from addressing the controversy surrounding Lively and Baldoni during the ceremony. Glaser expressed her reluctance to engage with the topic, acknowledging its sensitivity and the potential for misinterpretation.
The decision to steer clear of making light of the situation was elaborated on by Glaser, who shared her reservations about drawing attention to Baldoni in any way. In her own words, she stated, “I think the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni thing is such a hot-button thing right now that even a mere mention of it will seem like I could be on the wrong side of things, even though I would never be.” Glaser’s comments underscore the intricacies and challenges of navigating delicate legal matters within the public eye.
Meanwhile, an insider close to Lively has indicated that she remains steadfast in her resolve to confront the legal challenges she faces. The source emphasized Lively’s positive outlook and readiness to address whatever obstacles come her way. Despite the gravity of the situation, Lively has reportedly sought to maintain a focus on the present moment and is determined to see her legal battle through.
Looking ahead, the 82nd annual Golden Globes is scheduled to be broadcast live on Sunday, January 5, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+. The unfolding developments in Lively’s legal clash with Baldoni have captured significant attention and are likely to have lasting implications across the industry.
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