Blake Lively expressed her heartfelt appreciation to her devoted fans after gracefully stepping out for the SXSW premiere of her latest film, "Another Simple Favor," amidst the ongoing legal saga with Justin Baldoni. On Tuesday, the actress took to Instagram to share a mesmerizing array of snapshots from the star-laden event that transpired over the weekend, showcasing her alongside her co-stars Anna Kendrick and Michele Morrone.
"The opening night of @asimplefavor at @sxsw felt akin to a rocking concert," she captioned her photo dump, exuding gratitude. "Thank you to the phenomenal audience that made Texas shine brightly."
"Making this movie was already a treasure trove, embracing every aspect of it," added Lively, 37, her words tinged with warmth. "Sharing it with you all and receiving the love in return was an unparalleled sensation. Austin, thank you for welcoming us with open arms."
Eyewitnesses recounted to Page Six that the former "Gossip Girl" star seemed utterly unaffected by her legal woes as she glamorously strutted down the red carpet at the Paramount Theatre in Austin on Friday night. She dazzled in a stunning pink latex gown by Renée Masoomian, her long blond locks half-styled up in an elegant fashion.
Reports revealed that Lively warmly engaged with fans by posing for selfies inside the theater before settling down alongside Morrone. Nevertheless, a subtle undertone of tension seemed to flicker between the "Age of Adaline" star and Kendrick, 39, as the latter responded cryptically to questions about working with Lively on the 2018 sequel, "A Simple Favor."
"Oh, you know…,"Kendrick murmured, before sauntering away, leaving the room abuzz with curiosity. However, the film's director, Paul Feig, swiftly quashed rumors suggesting any discomfort between the co-stars at the event.
Lively's SXSW appearance came on the heels of filing a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment during the filming of their 2024 drama, "It Ends With Us." She further alleged that the actor-director orchestrated a smear campaign aimed at derailing her career.
Baldoni, however, vehemently denied the allegations and retaliated with a bombshell $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. To salvage his reputation, the "Jane the Virgin" star launched a website displaying alleged text message exchanges with Lively.
The duo will now battle it out in court in March 2026, with the legal battle heating up amidst the glittering backdrop of Hollywood.
