Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds: A Cracking Façade Amidst Legal Turmoil

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ over decade-long marriage is facing its fiercest divorce rumors yet, as the couple is drawn into a costly and public legal battle.

Industry insiders and PR observers suggest the ongoing conflict has fractured the “Hollywood golden couple” image they meticulously cultivated.

The Source of the Tension: The “It Ends With Us” Lawsuit

Divorce rumors have intensified in parallel with the protracted legal drama surrounding the film It Ends With Us, which stars Lively and was directed by/co-stars Justin Baldoni.

Lively’s Allegations: Lively filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign by Baldoni/Wayfarer Studios following concerns raised during the film’s production.
Baldoni’s Counterclaims: Baldoni filed a countersuit worth hundreds of millions of dollars against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane, alleging extortion and defamation. Baldoni claimed Lively attempted to seize creative control of the film through threats.
Legal Status: While a judge dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit claims of defamation and extortion against Lively and Reynolds in June 2025 (though the case is ongoing), Lively’s primary sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni/Wayfarer is scheduled for trial in March 2026.

Accusations of Control and Image Management

The YouTube commentary video and anonymous sources have painted a darker picture of the couple’s relationship, suggesting Ryan Reynolds is the deeply controlling partner.

The Claims of Richard Fedyck

Most notably, the commentary relies on the claims of former photographer Richard Fedyck, who had a prior legal dispute with the couple in 2015.

Legal History: In 2015, Lively and Reynolds accused Fedyck of stalking and hitting Reynolds with a car, but the charges were dropped in 2017 due to lack of evidence—an event Fedyck claims shows the couple has a “pattern of deception and manipulation.”
Marriage Allegations: Fedyck claims Reynolds has always been deeply controlling and demeaning towards Lively, managing her as part of his brand. He also alleged Lively learned manipulation from Reynolds, and the two coordinate to craft false public narratives.

Strategic Litigation

Many insiders speculate that the It Ends With Us lawsuit is an expensive PR strategy driven by Reynolds.

Reynolds’ Goal: The effort is allegedly aimed at preserving Reynolds’ brand and business interests while exerting pressure on competitors (Baldoni/Wayfarer).
Career Sabotage Theory: Some sources speculate that Reynolds may seek to sabotage Lively’s career to ensure she remains dependent, supposedly fulfilling his mother’s wish for a non-working wife.

Public Cracks in the Façade

The tension has begun to manifest in their public appearances:

Solo Appearances: Reynolds has attended several events, including the premiere of the John Candy documentary, without Lively, fueling rumors of an informal separation.
The “F You” Joke: Reynolds shared a joke about telling Lively “F you” while taking an important call from Bill Murray. Although framed as humor, it was interpreted by many online as a public sign of contempt in their marriage.

Despite the split rumors, the couple still makes joint public appearances (such as the Another Simple Favor premiere) in what appears to be an effort to control the narrative.

Conclusion

As of now, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds remain legally married and are parents to four children. However, their public perception has shifted from a playful, charming dynamic to one now scrutinized as being more transactional and controlling.

While experts suggest a divorce may not be imminent—largely due to the reliance on their joint brand image and family ties—the legal fighting continues, making the façade of Hollywood’s golden couple increasingly fragile.