Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' Met Gala no-show a 'calculated' move during legal drama

A-list couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' Met Gala no-show is a "calculated" move amid their legal drama with Justin Baldoni, an expert says.

Due to events that occured while working on the drama film It Ends With Us, Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, aiding and abetting harassment, and causing intentional infliction of emotional distress in a lawsuit that was filed in December of 2024.

The actor and director has since denied the claims and filed a $400 million lawsuit against her and her husband for defamation. A judge recently granted both parties a protective order as Reynolds filed an order to dismiss himself from the case, calling Baldoni a “predator” in the process.

• Netflix The Lincoln Lawyer star lands role in hit movie franchise
• Paul McCartney's savage three-word put down of Donald Trump

Amid all this, Lively and Reynolds haven't retreated from the public eye. In fact, they've attended many high-profile events since the legal battle unfolded, including the SNL 50 special, where Reynolds even joked about the drama.

On top of that, Lively promoted another film, Another Simple Favor, and has even opened up about how fear "keeps us silent" in a new interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

With all of these appearances and comments, it was actually a surprise that Lively and Reynolds have chosen to sit out one of Hollywood's biggest events of the year.

However, PR expert Grayce McCormick of Lightfinder Public Relations told Daily Express US that it was a "calculated move."

McCormick explained: "Blake Lively and Ryan's decision to skip the 2025 Met Gala, marking their third consecutive absence since co-chairing the event in 2022, is a calculated move in light of their ongoing legal challenges with Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios.

"While sources indicate that their choice was made before the escalation of their legal dispute, the timing aligns with a period of heightened public scrutiny."

Speaking from a public relations perspective, the expert added: "Their absence can be seen as a strategic effort to maintain a lower profile amid controversy.

DON'T MISS:

Naomi Campbell hints she's 'too old' for Met Gala and will 'never go again' [LATEST]

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez to ditch Met Gala 2025 ahead of wedding [INSIGHT]

Usher opens up on Met Gala outfit inspiration ahead of final tour dates [UPDATE]

"Attending such a high-profile event could have diverted attention from the Met theme and co-chairs to their legal matters, potentially overshadowing the event and inviting further media speculation.

"By skipping the event, they sidestep becoming a lightning rod for controversy that could overshadow the Met Gala."

The PR expert also touched on what Lively's recent appearances mean: "Notably, recent public appearances, such as attending the TIME100 Gala and the premiere of Another Simple Favor, show that she is not entirely retreating from the public eye but is instead selectively engaging in events that align with her professional commitments and current narratives.

"At the TIME100 Gala, Lively delivered a well-crafted speech honoring her mother, Willie Elaine McAlpin, revealing for the first time that her mother survived a violent attack by a work acquaintance years before Lively was born."

Lively "emphasized the importance of sharing personal experiences to empower others," while subtly alluding to her legal battle with Baldoni, stating: "I have so much to say about the last two years of my life, but tonight is not the forum."

Ultimately, McCormick stated that Lively and Reynolds' "joint decision to skip the 2025 Met Gala signals a tightly controlled PR strategy: maintaining visibility on their terms while avoiding events that could magnify controversy.

"This is a calculated move aimed at safeguarding their long-term reputation during an escalating and highly scrutinized legal battle, not just protecting themselves against immediate headlines, but also controlling the broader narrative over time."

The couple skipped the 2023 Met Gala as it was just a couple months after Lively welcomed their fourth child, son Olin. In 2024, they skipped due to a desire to stay home and enjoy quality time with their family.

Lively also skipped the smaller 2021 event that was postponed to September due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had also cancelled the 2020 event. They also skipped it in 2019.

The actress, who served as a co-chair for the 2022 Gilded Glamour-themed ball, has often landed on the best dressed list during her previous appearances at the event.