Blake Lively made a striking appearance at the world premiere of her new movie Another Simple Favor at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, on March 7, 2025, 

looking poised and unbothered despite her ongoing legal battle with actor Justin Baldoni.

This marked one of Lively’s first public outings since the actress and Baldoni, who co-starred and co-directed in It Ends With Us, filed lawsuits against each other.

The actress radiated confidence as she interacted with fans, posed for photographers, and signed autographs.

Lively’s ensemble was a showstopper—she wore a light pink latex dress adorned with a black-laced floral design.

The corset-style dress cinched at the waist, and she paired it with a matching latex cover-up.

Her hair was styled in soft waves, partially pinned up, adding a touch of elegance to her bold look.

Inside the Paramount Theatre, Lively took part in a panel where she discussed reprising her role as Emily Nelson in Another Simple Favor, the sequel to the 2018 hit A Simple Favor.

When asked about returning to the role, Lively shared her enthusiasm, stating, “I love this character so much.

It’s probably my favorite character I’ve ever been fortunate enough to play.” She recalled feeling nervous while working on the first film due to the uncertainty of the genre, as the tone of the movie was difficult to pinpoint at first. “When Paul [Feig] asked us to come back, I was so excited,” she said, referring to the director.

“But I was really nervous on the first one, because we didn’t know if we were making a drama or a comedy… when we asked Paul, he said ‘Yes,’ which is not really an answer to the question.”

Lively continued, explaining how the sequel had a different feel. She was confident about her portrayal of Emily this time around, but before filming began, Feig threw in a surprising twist. “Right before shooting, he said, ‘I have a little bit of a curveball idea,’” she revealed. “It definitely upped the ante. It was very uncomfortable to watch in the theater with you guys,” Lively added, hinting at the thrilling developments in the movie.

While Lively appeared at ease, her co-star Anna Kendrick’s responses to questions regarding Lively’s legal situation were more cryptic. When asked about the challenges of working with Lively amid her ongoing lawsuit, Kendrick gave a nonchalant reply.

“Oh, you know,” she said before moving on to take pictures with a fan. In another moment, when asked about how the film’s release might be affected by the ongoing drama, Kendrick quipped, “Why, what happened? I did ayahuasca, and the last year of my life is just gone,” showcasing her characteristic humor.

The premiere of Another Simple Favor came at a tense time for Lively, as her legal feud with Baldoni continues to unfold in the courts. The two have been embroiled in a legal battle over accusations made during the press tour of It Ends With Us, a film that was riddled with behind-the-scenes drama.

In December, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni for sexual harassment, alleging inappropriate behavior and emotional distress. Baldoni, in return, has countered with his own lawsuit, claiming that Lively’s accusations were false and made in an attempt to salvage her public image after tensions on the film set.

Lively’s legal team has been pushing for a protective order to keep certain evidence in the case confidential. Specifically, they are requesting that text messages between Lively and high-profile individuals be kept under wraps.

Baldoni’s legal team has argued against these requests, stating that it would be unfair to shift the burden of the case onto the defense and insisted that they will not disclose any sensitive medical or psychological records.

As the legal battle between Lively and Baldoni continues, the public spotlight remains firmly on them, with both actors navigating the complexities of their personal and professional lives under intense scrutiny.

For Lively, the premiere of Another Simple Favor served as a reminder that despite the ongoing legal drama, she remains focused on her career and passionate about her work.

The contrast between her poised public appearance and the ongoing legal saga underscores the resilience Lively has shown in maintaining her composure amid personal turmoil.

Fans and industry peers alike have expressed their admiration for the actress, who continues to thrive in her career while handling the legal battle with Baldoni behind the scenes.