If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably noticed something weird. One minute Blake Lively is the golden girl of Hollywood, the queen of the Met Gala, and half of the internet’s favorite "couple goals" duo. The next? She’s basically the center of a legal hurricane that feels more like a prestige TV drama than real life. Honestly, it's a lot to keep track of.
So, where is Blake Lively now?
As of early 2026, she isn't just hiding out in her Bedford estate with Ryan Reynolds and their four kids—though she definitely does that, too. She’s currently navigating a massive career pivot, a high-stakes legal battle with her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, and a business empire that is seeing some serious growing pains.
The Courtroom is the New Red Carpet
Forget movie premieres for a second. The biggest date on Blake Lively’s calendar right now is May 18, 2026. That is when her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni is scheduled to be heard in a California court.
If you missed the chaos of late 2024 and 2025, here is the short version: It Ends With Us was a massive box office hit, but the vibes behind the scenes were rancid. Blake eventually filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging sexual harassment by Baldoni. He didn't take it lying down. He hired a heavy-hitting crisis PR team—the same folks who repped Johnny Depp—and the whole thing exploded into a "he-said, she-said" mess that has basically split Hollywood down the middle.
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There were rumors of fat-shaming on set. There were allegations that Ryan Reynolds basically hijacked the edit of the movie. It got messy. Fast. While a judge tossed Baldoni’s retaliatory $400 million lawsuit against Blake and Ryan in June 2025, the legal smoke hasn't cleared.
What Happened to Her Movies?
You might be wondering if she’s actually acting anymore. The answer is yes, but the projects feel a little different now.
- Another Simple Favor: This is the big one. She’s returning as Emily Nelson in the sequel to the 2018 thriller. It’s set for a 2025/2026 release cycle. People loved the first one because Blake got to be a little bit "evil" and wore incredible suits.
- Lady Killer: This has been in the works for a while. She’s set to play Josie Schuller, a 1950s housewife who is also a secret assassin.
- Seconds: This marks her big move into directing. It’s an adaptation of the graphic novel by Bryan Lee O’Malley (the guy who did Scott Pilgrim).
The buzz is a bit quieter than it used to be. Some industry insiders have whispered that major studios are being "cautious" because of the fallout from the It Ends With Us press tour, which many felt was "tone-deaf" given the movie's themes of domestic violence.
The Business of Being Blake
Blake has always wanted to be the next Martha Stewart. She’s obsessed with cooking, design, and "the home." But her recent business ventures have hit some turbulence.
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Betty Buzz and Betty Booze
Her drink lines—Betty Buzz (mixers) and Betty Booze (canned cocktails)—are still everywhere. You might have seen them on a holiday menu at Serendipity3 in NYC recently. But legally, things are complicated. Recent court documents from late 2025 revealed that Blake doesn't actually own these companies outright. They are held by an entity called Family Hive LLC and Betty B Holdings.
The internet had a field day when it came out she was claiming $22 million in lost profits due to the "smear campaign" against her, but the court basically told her she didn't have the standing to claim those damages because she's a minority owner. Also, people still give her a hard time for selling alcohol when she openly says she doesn't drink. Kinda weird, right?
Blake Brown Haircare
She launched a haircare line called Blake Brown in 2024. It’s cruelty-free and focuses on "scent-driven" products. It’s her attempt to capture that "Gossip Girl" hair magic and sell it to the masses. So far, it’s doing okay, but it’s competing in a super crowded market with every other celebrity brand.
Life in Bedford with the Reynolds Clan
When she’s not in a deposition or on a film set, Blake is living a relatively quiet life in New York. She and Ryan have four kids now: James (11), Inez (9), Betty (6), and their son Olin, who is about 2 years old.
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They are still tight with Taylor Swift—who is literally the godmother to their kids. In fact, Taylor’s song "Betty" is basically a family tree for the Reynolds-Lively household. Ryan has been busy with Wrexham and his own massive business deals, but they’ve made a point to stay based in New York rather than moving to Wales or California.
Why This Matters for 2026
Blake Lively is at a crossroads. She’s trying to transition from "actress for hire" to "powerhouse producer and director," but she’s doing it while carrying the weight of a very public reputation crisis.
The "florals and fun" marketing for a movie about domestic abuse really hurt her brand with Gen Z and Millennial audiences. They saw it as out of touch. Now, she’s in a position where she has to prove she’s more than just a style icon. She has to prove she can lead a set without the drama.
Next steps to stay informed on this story:
- Keep an eye on the California Civil Rights Department filings leading up to May 2026.
- Watch the box office for Another Simple Favor to see if her "star power" still translates to ticket sales.
- Follow the rollout of Seconds—it will be the true test of her talent behind the lens.