Hollywood power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are facing fresh questions and private friction after Justin Baldoni appeared on ABC’s hit series, Dancing With the Stars. Entertainment journalist Rob Shuter reported on October 18, 2026, via Geo.tv, that Baldoni’s presence in the studio audience troubled the couple because of their intense legal history with the filmmaker.
Baldoni attended the October 13 taping of the Disney-owned network’s show with his wife, Emily Baldoni, and their two children. The family attended as guests of longtime friend and DWTS co-host Julianne Hough. Hough and Baldoni’s friendship predates the professional fallout from their 2024 film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us.
Friction Involves Corporate Ties and Disney Expectations
Anonymous insiders report that Lively and Reynolds expected better alignment from Disney, ABC’s parent company. Reynolds’ Deadpool franchise has earned hundreds of millions of dollars for Disney-owned Marvel Studios. Because of this, the couple reportedly felt that hosting Baldoni on a high-profile network broadcast showed a lack of institutional loyalty.
Neither Lively nor Reynolds has issued a public statement about Baldoni’s television appearance. Sources close to the situation note that Hough invited Baldoni due to their decade-long friendship. Hough previously collaborated with Baldoni on the documentary series My Last Days, meaning the invite did not come from an official corporate endorsement by ABC or Disney executives.
Background on the Lively-Baldoni Legal Saga
This tension stems from a legal battle that started during the production and promotion of It Ends With Us. In December 2024, Lively filed a formal complaint accusing Baldoni of s*xual harassment and a retaliatory PR smear campaign. Baldoni denied the allegations and filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively, Reynolds, and associated representatives.
While courts dismissed parts of the cross-claims and the primary legal matters reached a settlement in May 2026, the ripple effects still affect industry perceptions. Unsealed court documents from the litigation previously revealed private text messages where Reynolds criticized Baldoni while trying to protect his wife from online scrutiny.
Industry Reactions and Public Standing
As Baldoni returns to public outings and family events following his legal resolution, industry reactions remain mixed. Anonymous sources told Naughty But Nice that Lively and Reynolds see Baldoni’s public appearances as a hurdle for repairing professional optics. However, crisis management experts point out that television networks routinely host public figures based on individual production relationships rather than legal standing.
Representatives for Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Justin Baldoni have not commented on the reports regarding the Dancing With the Stars audience appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Justin Baldoni attend Dancing With the Stars?
Justin Baldoni attended a taping of the ABC show as a personal guest of his longtime friend and co-host Julianne Hough, alongside his wife and children.
Are Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds officially speaking out about the appearance?
No. Neither Blake Lively nor Ryan Reynolds has made any public statements regarding Baldoni’s appearance in the studio audience.
What was the nature of the legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni?
Blake Lively filed a complaint alleging s*xual harassment and retaliation during the filming of It Ends With Us, which Baldoni denied. The legal dispute involved multiple countersuits before reaching a settlement in May 2026.
Does Disney have a business relationship with Ryan Reynolds?
Yes. Disney owns Marvel Studios, which distributes Ryan Reynolds’ commercially successful Deadpool franchise, including the blockbuster hit Deadpool & Wolverine.
