Ryan Reynolds Reportedly Left Blake Lively for Hollywood Event Due to Her ‘Polarizing Image’—’Better if He Flew Solo’
Getting married means you’re seen as a package deal, and this is especially true in Hollywood. That can be good for some, and not so great for others. Case in point: Ryan Reynolds, who has found himself in the middle of his wife’s fight against It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
And Rob Shuter is now reporting that Reynolds is trying to get some publicity of his own outside of his wife, which is why he attended Stephen Colbert’s final episode of The Late Show by himself. There had been some speculation that Lively was not welcome, but the Hollywood insider reported that this was not the case.
Related: Here are all the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Texts and Emails
“The show had zero problem with Blake attending,” one insider said. “She was welcome and fully expected at one point. Ryan simply decided it would be better if he flew solo.”
Reynolds wasn’t the only celebrity to make a cameo during Colbert’s farewell episode. Other guests included Paul Rudd, Bryan Cranston, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and Paul McCartney.
Lively, however, didn’t accompany her husband. And that was reportedly by design. “Ryan understood that if Blake showed up, she would instantly become the story,” another insider explained. “The attention would shift away from Stephen Colbert’s goodbye and straight onto the controversy surrounding Blake.”
The decision was reportedly made out of respect for how big the night was. “Blake’s image is extremely polarizing right now, and Ryan knows it,” said one insider. “He didn’t want Stephen’s final show overshadowed by gossip, social media backlash, or questions about Blake. Going alone was the smartest move.”
Lively and Baldoni recently settled their dispute, which saw Lively allege sexual harassment and a retaliatory campaign of misinformation against her. Both sides claimed victory in the settlement, which saw no money exchanging hands. A joint statement from both parties focused on how the movie made “a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors – and all survivors.”
The statement continued, “We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard. We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments. It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”
RadarOnline recently reported that Reynolds was instrumental in the decision to settle the lawsuit. “Ryan saw the full picture early,” one insider said. “He knew the longer this dragged on, the more it would erode everything – her career, her reputation, even their closest relationships.”
Hollywood insider Shuter had previously reported that Lively was being very selective about what events she attends. “Blake knows exactly how powerful a perfect photograph can be,” one insider said. “A stunning image creates conversation without creating risk. Photos don’t ask difficult follow-ups.”
“Right now, silence is part of the strategy,” the insider added. “Blake is letting the visuals speak for her.”
For now, that meant her husband attended this particular event solo.
