Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are officially skipping the Golden Globes this Sunday, despite Reynolds’ nomination for “Deadpool & Wolverine” in the cinematic and box office achievement category.
This absence comes amidst a firestorm of legal drama involving Lively’s “It Ends With Us” co-star, Justin Baldoni, raising immediate speculation about the reason for their no-show.
While “Deadpool & Wolverine,” a massive box office hit grossing $1.33 billion worldwide, earned a nomination, neither Reynolds nor his co-star Hugh Jackman will be present at the Los Angeles ceremony, according to Deadline.
Although reps for the stars haven’t commented, a source tells Page Six that Reynolds and Lively’s decision was made “well in advance” of the legal battle with Baldoni and is “not due to the scandal whatsoever.” The insider also pointed out that Lively’s film, “It Ends With Us,” received no nominations, and she was not slated as a presenter
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Supposedly there is no relation, but…
However, the timing is undeniably suspicious. Their absence comes just two weeks after Lively filed a scathing complaing accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and subsequently sued him for emotional distress.
In her filings, the “Gossip girl” alum alleged that Baldoni had to be reprimanded at an “all-hands” meeting – which Reynolds also attended – for making inappropirate sex-related remarks, including discussing his past “porn addiction” and showing “nude videos or images of women.”
Lively further claimed that Baldoni hired a crisis manager to launch a smear campaign against her. Bombshell texts revealed the crisis rep allegedly telling Baldoni’s publicist, “You know we can bury anyone.”
The legal problem is far from resolved
Baldoni vehemently denies the allegations. His attorney, Bryan Freedman, previously told Page Six that Lively’s claims were “intentionally salacious” and a “desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation.” Freedman recently told NBC News that Baldoni plans to file a lawsuit against Lively “soon.”
While the official reason for Reynolds and Lively’s absence remains undisclosed, the proximity to this explosive legal battle casts a long shadow. Whether coincidental or not, their decision to skip the Golden Globes has undoubtedly amplified the attention on this already high-profile scandal.