Blake Lively appeared “happy” and “unbothered” at the SXSW premiere of her new movie, “Another Simple Favor,” on Friday.
An eyewitness told Page Six that the actress appeared unfazed by her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni while hitting the red carpet at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas.
The “Gossip Girl” alum — chic in a strapless Renée Masoomian latex dress with black accents — was all smiles while posing for photographers at the star-studded event.
Inside the theatre, an eyewitness spotted Lively, 37, taking selfies with fans. She then happily took a front row seat next to co-star Michele Morrone before the screening began.
We’re told the crowd gave loud cheers for Lively — as well as her co-star Anna Kendrick — when director Paul Feig spoke about them ahead of the film’s showing. We’re told the star later munched on some popcorn as she watched the premiere.
“Another Simple Favor” is a sequel to “A Simple Favor,” a 2018 comedy mystery film that followed Stephanie (played by Kendrick), a widowed, single mother who works as a vlogger in Connecticut, and her best friend, Emily (portrayed by Lively), who seemed to be a successful mother and wife.
Lively’s appearance at SXSW comes amid her bitter legal battle with her “It Ends With Us” co-star Baldoni.
In December 2024, the “Age of Adaline” actress filed a lawsuit against the director, 41, alleging that he sexually harassed her on the set of their 2024 romantic drama.
Lively also accused Baldoni and his publicists of orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Baldoni has denied all claims.
In January, the “Five Feet Apart” director filed a $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Lively, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist, Leslie Sloane.
He also sued the New York Times after the outlet published a story about the actress’s sexual harassment allegations. The outlet said it will “vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”
Last month, the “A Simple Favor” star’s attorneys asked the judge to have certain evidence categorized as “Attorney’s Eyes Only,” which would limit what the public sees.
The proposed category would only be used for material that is “highly confidential and personal, sensitive, or proprietary nature that the revelation of such is likely to cause a competitive, business, commercial, financial, personal or privacy injury,” per the letter obtained by Page Six at the time.
Lively’s letter also noted that the case is dealing with “high-profile individuals, to whom a duty of confidentiality is owed.”
In response, Baldoni’s legal team accused Lively of trying “to shield, from public view, documents and information exchanged herein.”
“Given how actively the Lively Parties have publicized and litigated Ms. Lively’s claims in the media, we are surprised to now learn how vehemently she wants to prevent the public from accessing material and relevant evidence,” the letter, obtained by Page Six, read.
Baldoni’s lawyers also mentioned Reynolds’ “planned skit” on “SNL 50” Feb. 16, in which the “Deadpool” actor “stood up and made a joke about her claims [of] sexual harassment and emotional distress.”
Lively and Baldoni’s trial is set to begin in March 2026.
“Another Simple Favor” will be released on Amazon Prime Video on May 1.
