Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds made a highly anticipated return to the public eye during Sunday’s SNL 50th Anniversary Special, drawing considerable attention online. 

The couple, who have been at the center of a media firestorm over the past few months due to legal disputes and scandals, 

made their first red carpet appearance in two months, marking a significant moment in their public lives.

The star-studded event, which celebrated the milestone anniversary of NBC’s iconic sketch show, 

featured numerous A-list celebrities, including Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig, Adam Sandler, and Chris Rock. 

However, the spotlight was undeniably on Lively and Reynolds, 

who were seen together for the first time since the controversy surrounding the production of It Ends With Us unfolded late last year. The film’s director, Justin Baldoni, and the Hollywood power couple have been embroiled in a legal battle, with Lively accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and Baldoni filing a $400 million defamation lawsuit against the pair and their publicist, Leslie Sloane.

Throughout the SNL special, Reynolds took a playful approach to the ongoing scandal during a sketch with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. In one scene, Reynolds humorously addressed the situation, saying, “Great – why, what have you heard?” in response to a question about how he was doing, alluding to the media frenzy surrounding It Ends With Us. This moment, though lighthearted, quickly sparked a flurry of online commentary, with many social media users criticizing the couple’s attempt to use humor to distract from the serious allegations that have followed them for months.

Some commenters expressed their displeasure with the couple’s return to the limelight, accusing them of using their star power to manipulate public opinion. “How sweet of SNL to try and do damage control for Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively—but it won’t work,” one user wrote, echoing the sentiments of many who felt that the couple was attempting to smooth over their tarnished image. Other users labeled the couple’s appearance as “cringe” or expressed concern that the jokes were meant to trivialize the real issues at hand.

Despite the backlash, some fans of the couple defended them, with one person praising Lively’s beauty in her stunning silver gown. Another fan commended Reynolds for his signature humor, saying, “Ryan always delivers his humor is on point every time.” Nevertheless, the couple’s reemergence onto the public stage did little to quell the ongoing debate about their controversial behavior and the legal proceedings surrounding It Ends With Us.

The pair’s reentry into the public eye comes at a time when their legal battles have captivated the media. Baldoni has alleged that Lively and Reynolds used their influence to manipulate various aspects of the film, including the script and wardrobe, and even enlisted pop star Taylor Swift to intervene on their behalf. These claims have been fiercely denied by Lively and Reynolds, who insist that the accusations are false.

The couple’s appearance at SNL wasn’t the only moment of intrigue during the weekend. Lively’s first red carpet outing since December 2024 drew attention not just for her fashion but also for her status amid the ongoing litigation. The A Simple Favor star and her husband have both faced significant public scrutiny, and many fans took to social media to criticize their presence at the event. Some suggested that their strategic appearance, surrounded by fellow A-list stars, was an attempt to regain favor with the public after months of negative press.

Meanwhile, Baldoni has continued to push forward with his legal claims, alleging that Lively’s attempts to sabotage his role as director of It Ends With Us significantly impacted the film’s production. Although Lively’s team has maintained that they did nothing wrong, the court filings have painted a very different picture, with Baldoni providing evidence to support his claims.

Despite the controversy swirling around them, Lively and Reynolds remain two of Hollywood’s most powerful and influential figures. Their presence at the SNL event certainly had fans talking, but it also reminded everyone of the tumultuous chapter currently unfolding in their personal and professional lives. As the legal battle continues, the couple’s public appearances will likely be scrutinized even more closely in the months ahead.

In conclusion, while Sunday’s SNL special may have offered some lighthearted moments, the ongoing scandal surrounding Lively, Reynolds, and Baldoni is far from over. The couple’s return to the public eye certainly generated buzz, but the reactions from fans and social media users show that the path to redemption may not be as easy as a few jokes on a stage. Only time will tell how this drama will unfold and whether Lively and Reynolds will manage to repair their public image amidst the ongoing legal proceedings.

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