Blake Lively Hints at Justin Baldoni's Legal Struggles and Honors Her Mom as a 'Survivor of the Worst Crime' at TIME100 Gala

"Always acknowledge a woman's capacity to withstand pain," stated Lively.

• Blake Lively made an appearance at the TIME100 Gala alongside her spouse, Ryan Reynolds.
• During the event, the actress talked for six minutes about subjects including femininity and abuse.
• There’s plenty I could share regarding the past couple of years, but this isn’t the right setting for that discussion," she stated, choosing instead to talk about "what it means to be a woman with a voice in today’s world.

Blake Lively alluded to her legal battle with Justin Baldoni at the TIME100 gala .

The actress, who was named one of TIME The News Pulse' top 100 most impactful magazines spoke for approximately six minutes during the yearly gathering at Jazz at the Lincoln Center in New York City on Thursday, April 24.

At age 37, during her speech, Lively mentioned that being honored at this moment felt both "unreal and profoundly meaningful," especially since she sees "anger as the most prized commodity these days." To her, receiving this honor appears like a form of rebellion when gathering and rejoicing over all the positivity still present in our world.

Related: Blake Lively Feels No Remorse for Sueing Justin Baldoni: 'She Expected Some Pushback,' Says Exclusive Source

Lively mentioned that being referred to as "influential" comes with "a substantial duty," further stating, "It's crucial how we wield this influence. The causes we support, the issues we ignore, and whether our actions align with our values or merely serve financial gain—that all makes a difference."

There's a lot I want to share regarding the past couple of years, but this isn’t the right setting," she stated, choosing instead to discuss "what it means to be a woman with a voice in today’s world.

Lively mentioned that her life was "most influenced" by her mother. Willie Elaine McAlpin , whom she described as the " survivor of the most heinous crime one can perpetrate against a woman."

She mentioned that her mom didn't receive justice from a work associate who tried to end their own life when she was a parent to three small children, several years prior to her birth.

The recipient mentioned that her mother attributed her survival to a woman she heard on the radio discussing a "related situation."

"The woman vividly recounted her painful escape. Hearing her story rather than retreating out of fear and unjust guilt allowed my mother to survive. My mother owes her life to this unnamed woman," stated Lively.

Related: Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Attend Event Together Amid Justin Baldoni lawsuit to Support Her TIME Magazine Honor

She described being a woman as a "covenant where secretly our role is to demonstrate to others how they can endure, whether physically or emotionally."

She stated, 'We keep this hidden from our daughters, yet eventually, we crush their hopes by revealing the truth when they danced joyfully wearing princess costumes, unaware that these roles do not ensure safety for them—whether at work, within their homes, inside a parking garage, in a doctor’s clinic, or online—in every physical, emotional, and professional environment they occupy.'

Lively described the "triumph of females" as a "fundamental human right," and she also stated, "Don’t overlook a woman’s capacity to withstand suffering."

She concluded her speech by expressing gratitude towards "everyone, including my dear husband [" Ryan Reynolds , who remain kind and virtuous even when nobody is observing.

“And to all the communities spanning genders, ages, politics, geographies, and races who struggle daily just to feel secure, I recognize your presence,” she stated.

Lively’s comment about “the last two years” hints at the continuing legal dispute she is entangled in. It Ends With Us Costar and director, Justin Baldoni. The production of the Colleen Hoover adaptation is underway. began in May 2023 It was launched in August 2024.

In December 2024, Lively took legal action against Baldoni. accusing sexual harassment and a vengeful defamation campaign Among those mentioned in the lawsuit were Baldoni's production company, Wayfarer Studios.

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Baldoni rejected the claims and filed counter-suits against Lively, Reynolds, and others such as their publicist Leslie Sloane along with Sloane's public relations company, Vision PR, Inc., for $400 million , alleging civil blackmail, slander, and additional charges.

A trial date set has been set for March 2026.

Read the initial article on The News Pulse