Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have long been considered one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples. Their romance, which began in 2011 after meeting on the set of Green Lantern, has been a source of couple envy for fans worldwide. They’ve provided the ultimate “Hollywood love story” – a seemingly perfect duo that gives us relationship goals. But like many high-profile couples, there are some red flags that just can’t be ignored. Beneath the laughter and charm, cracks in their relationship are starting to show.

The “Perfect” Relationship with Dark Secrets

At first glance, Lively and Reynolds appear to have it all: a stunning marriage, two children, and thriving careers. They’ve been together for over a decade, building their relationship while navigating the pressures of Hollywood. But things aren’t always as perfect as they seem. In 2015, a source close to the couple claimed to Radar Online that Lively and Reynolds had conflicting ideas about their roles in marriage. The source stated, “Ryan would like a wife who stays home, but that’s not Blake!”

This is a huge red flag for any couple – differing expectations about career, family, and personal roles can create serious tension. While this was just a rumor, it highlighted an issue that many couples face, particularly in the fast-paced world of Hollywood. Lively is a successful actress in her own right, with a thriving career, and it’s unclear whether Reynolds’ preference for a more traditional role in marriage is an obstacle to their happiness.

The Speedy Transition from Exes to Soulmates

Another red flag came early in their relationship. Blake and Ryan met while filming Green Lantern in 2010, but they didn’t start dating until 2011. However, a waitress allegedly spotted the two out together in December 2010, before Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson publicly announced their split. The fact that Reynolds and Lively were allegedly spotted together during this time raises questions about the timing of their relationship. Were things happening behind the scenes before the official separation?

While there is no definitive proof, Nicole Moore, a celebrity relationship expert, notes that if the relationship did start before the divorce, it could indicate unresolved emotional issues or poor communication skills. “Typically, people cheat due to unresolved emotional issues within themselves or due to inability to communicate and operate with integrity in a relationship,” Moore states.

Jokes or Masked Discontent?

Lively and Reynolds are known for joking around, often sharing playful digs at each other on social media. Their lightheartedness seems to be a defining characteristic of their relationship. But could it be hiding something deeper? Nicole Moore suggests that when couples rely on humor as the main way they interact, it can sometimes cover up deeper issues. “People use humor to mask feelings they’re not dealing with,” Moore explains.

From joking birthday posts that saw one of them cropped out of photos to Reynolds’ lighthearted quips about using Lively as a “human shield” to protect their kids, these comments might suggest more than just innocent fun. Are they genuinely happy, or are they using humor to deflect any deeper feelings of discomfort in their relationship?

Trouble in Paradise: The “It Ends With Us” Controversy

In 2024, Lively found herself embroiled in a controversy surrounding the release of It Ends With Us, a movie based on the popular novel. Fans were quick to criticize her casting, but the real trouble came when her upbeat promotion of the film, which deals with sensitive issues like domestic violence, was met with harsh backlash. After one Instagram user accused Lively of promoting “happiness in a domestic violence setting without regard for victims,” things escalated quickly.

What made the situation worse was Ryan Reynolds’ lack of support for his wife in the public eye. While Lively’s brother-in-law, Bart Johnson, rushed to her defense, Reynolds stayed silent, which raised more eyebrows. Moore suggests that his silence may be a red flag. “Ryan did not put out a clear statement defending his wife. That’s a red flag because it may signify that his own personal reputation or fear of backlash is more important to him than protecting his wife.”

Fans noticed Reynolds’ silence, with one user questioning why he wasn’t defending Lively, especially since he had been involved in helping rewrite parts of the film’s script. His lack of public support left fans wondering whether their relationship was truly as solid as it seemed.

The Dark Side of Their “Collaborative” Relationship

Lively and Reynolds are known for being deeply involved in each other’s careers, often sharing work advice and helping with each other’s projects. While this can be seen as a supportive dynamic, it can also be problematic. If one partner relies too heavily on the other’s input to validate their own creative decisions, it could indicate a lack of self-confidence or an unhealthy dependency.

Nicole Moore highlights that this can become a red flag if one partner doesn’t trust their own judgment and constantly defers to the other. “If Blake honors her partner’s opinion while ultimately staying true to her own, then it’s not a red flag,” Moore says. “But if she relies on his opinion due to a lack of belief in herself, then it’s a red flag.”

Financial Imbalance and Unilateral Decisions

While both Lively and Reynolds are successful, there’s a noticeable disparity in their net worths. Lively’s estimated net worth is $30 million, while Reynolds is reportedly worth $350 million. While money in relationships isn’t always an issue, in this case, it may have created tension. The significant income gap could lead to power imbalances in their marriage, with Reynolds potentially wielding more influence.

There’s also the issue of Reynolds buying a soccer team, Wrexham A.F.C., for $2.5 million without informing Lively. Reynolds later admitted that her reaction to the purchase was not “great,” and it’s clear that this decision caused tension between them. As Moore points out, “Couples having disparate incomes can sometimes lead to a power struggle dynamic,” and this lack of transparency around financial decisions could signal deeper issues in their relationship.

Conclusion: The Cracks in Hollywood’s “Perfect” Couple

While Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds may appear to be the ultimate Hollywood power couple, their relationship isn’t as flawless as it seems. From conflicting career ambitions and secretive purchases to public feuds and behind-the-scenes drama, the cracks in their marriage are starting to show. The question now is whether these red flags will continue to be ignored, or if they will eventually lead to a much larger fallout. Fans are left wondering: will Hollywood’s golden couple weather these challenges, or is their perfect image just a façade waiting to crumble?