Blake Lively featured in Time 100 list during Justin Baldoni’s ongoing legal battle.

Blake Lively has been recognized on the prestigious 2025 Time100 list, highlighting her ongoing prominence amid serious legal issues involving director and co-star Justin Baldoni. Lively has leveled accusations of sexual harassment against Baldoni during the production of their film “It Ends With Us,” as well as alleging that he orchestrated a retaliatory smear campaign against her.

In the Titans category of TIME’s Most Influential People of 2025, civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill praised Lively for her commitment to social reform and activism. Ifill described Lively as a serious individual and a risk-taker, dismissing the superficial perceptions associated with celebrity culture. According to Ifill, the essence of Lively extends far beyond her public persona, reflecting a deep engagement with critical social issues. Ifill highlighted Lively’s philanthropic efforts, including her and husband Ryan Reynolds’ support of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in 2019.

Ifill articulated her admiration for Lively’s dedication to understanding complex historical contexts that often go unaddressed in traditional education. This commitment to becoming a fully informed and engaged citizen, according to Ifill, underscores Lively’s genuine interest in contributing positively to society.

However, Lively’s achievements are currently shadowed by the legal conflicts stemming from her accusations against Baldoni, who is also involved in a significant lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane. Baldoni has claimed 0 million in damages, alleging defamation and civil extortion. Both Lively and Reynolds have sought to dismiss these allegations, and the case is poised to go to trial in March 2026.

This year also bears witness to Lively’s controversial history, which includes a public apology in 2020 from Reynolds regarding their wedding venue—a former plantation site in South Carolina that has connections to slavery. The couple expressed deep remorse for their choice of location, acknowledging its painful historical implications.

Compounding these issues is a past incident where Lively reportedly claimed Native American ancestry to engage in a marketing campaign that prioritized diversity, which has since been criticized.

As these events unfold, Lively’s dual narrative as a celebrated actress and a figure embroiled in serious allegations presents a complex portrait, reflecting broader conversations about celebrity, accountability, and the social responsibilities of public figures in today’s discourse.