Blake Lively attended the 2026 Met Gala hours after settling a legal battle with co-star Justin Baldoni [1].

The appearance marks a significant professional pivot for Lively, as the legal dispute over the film “It Ends With Us” was widely expected to keep her off the guest list for the high-profile event [2].

Lively appeared at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday [3]. This visit represents her first Met Gala appearance in four years [4]. The return follows a settlement reached between the two parties two weeks before a scheduled trial [5].

The lawsuit centered on disputes surrounding the production of “It Ends With Us.” By resolving the matter shortly before the gala, the parties removed the legal barriers that had clouded Lively's relationship with the industry's most exclusive fashion event [2].

Observers said the timing of the settlement allowed Lively to make a surprise return to the red carpet [1]. The resolution of the conflict with Baldoni ensures that the promotional and professional fallout from the film's production will not hinder her visibility at major cultural milestones [5].

“Blake Lively attended the 2026 Met Gala hours after settling a legal battle with co-star Justin Baldoni”

The resolution of the lawsuit between Lively and Baldoni removes a significant public relations hurdle for both actors. By settling before the trial, the parties avoid a prolonged public airing of production grievances, allowing Lively to reclaim her position in the high-fashion and social circuit and potentially stabilizing the legacy of “It Ends With Us.”