In April 2023, Ryan Reynolds confronted Justin Baldoni at a New York City penthouse after allegations surfaced that Baldoni had made inappropriate comments regarding Blake Lively‘s weight. The Ryan Reynolds confrontation Justin Baldoni incident reportedly took place in the presence of Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman, adding notable celebrity witnesses to this unfolding legal struggle.
Details Emerge from Unsealed Court Documents
Newly released court filings from the ongoing legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have brought to light the particulars of this confrontation. The timeline, first sent by Wayfarer Studios co-founder Jamey Heath’s team to Baldoni’s publicist in July 2024, describes a highly charged meeting on April 25, 2023, at the home of Reynolds and Lively in New York City. Reports indicate that emotions ran high during the confrontation as allegations of fat-shaming against Lively were addressed.
According to these documents, Reynolds confronted Baldoni about comments allegedly made regarding Lively’s appearance. The tense exchange reportedly left Baldoni distressed and apologetic:
“completely embarrassed and apologized and even shared some tears”
The legal filings claim Reynolds “unloaded” on Baldoni, criticising him for asking about a woman’s weight, while Lively asserted that Baldoni’s question amounted to fat shaming.
Baldoni’s Defense: Safety Concerns Cited
Justin Baldoni’s legal representatives have framed the incident differently, stating that his inquiry was directed to Lively’s trainer purely out of safety concerns. They argue that, due to chronic back injuries, Baldoni needed this information to ensure safe handling during a lifting scene for the film It Ends With Us. According to his attorneys, the question was posed in good faith, with the intention of avoiding unnecessary injury during the shoot.
High-Profile Witnesses Intensify the Dispute
The involvement of Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman at the Reynolds confrontation has further complicated an already contentious situation. Both celebrities are close friends of the Reynolds-Lively family and have now been mentioned as potential witnesses in court filings. The documents specifically confirm their presence:
“were also present in the apt at the time”
Having such high-profile figures involved puts additional media attention on the dispute and intensifies public scrutiny.
Swift and Jackman Seek to Minimize Their Involvement
Individuals close to Taylor Swift have worked to separate her from the confrontation. According to one insider speaking to TMZ, Swift was unaware of the purpose of the gathering before arriving at Lively’s apartment and only witnessed the conclusion of the tense exchange with Baldoni. The insider further stated that Swift had met Baldoni only briefly during that visit.
Additionally, Swift’s representative issued a clear statement recounting her lack of involvement with the film’s production:
“Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film, she did not even see It Ends With Us until weeks after its public release.”
This representative also criticized the use of Swift’s name elsewhere in the legal documents, characterizing it as a publicity ploy:
“to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait.”
While Hugh Jackman has openly shown support for both Reynolds and Lively, including attending the August 2024 premiere of It Ends With Us in New York City, there have been no public comments from his representatives regarding his part in the April 2023 confrontation.
Background: Legal Battle Escalates in Hollywood
The conflict stretches beyond this single incident. In December 2024, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and acts of retaliation that allegedly occurred during the production of the same film. Baldoni, who was both directing and starring in It Ends With Us, has since denied all accusations. His countersuit, alleging $400 million in damages against Lively and Reynolds, was dismissed by a judge, though the original lawsuit filed by Lively continues.
During the now-infamous penthouse meeting, Baldoni’s countersuit alleged that an upset Reynolds yelled,
“How dare you f—ing ask about my wife’s weight? What’s wrong with you?”
Reynolds’ legal counsel clarified this characterization, stating that Reynolds was indeed angry, stern, and passionate but did not behave in an unacceptably aggressive manner toward Baldoni.
Implications for Hollywood and Awaited Trial
This legal dispute has quickly become one of the most debated stories in Hollywood, with the potential for high-profile testimony intensifying the stakes. The trial is set for March 2026, a date by which more comprehensive details regarding the disputed allegations and behind-the-scenes events of It Ends With Us‘s production are expected to be fully aired in public.
Experts note the significance of witnesses like Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman due to their friendships with both the plaintiffs and the defendant. Their insights might prove vital given the new evidence presented in recently unsealed documents, which shed light on the substantial tension surrounding the film’s production.
Strained Relationships and Industry Fallout
The ongoing court proceedings have reportedly taken a toll on longstanding bonds among Hollywood‘s close-knit circles. Sources have observed that irreversible damage may have been done to personal and professional relationships among key figures, leaving open the question of whether reconciliation is possible once the trial ends.
As legal teams for both sides prepare for the March 2026 court date amid growing media interest, the public release of court exhibits has only increased attention on this confrontation and the larger dispute. Many in the entertainment industry and beyond wait to see what new details the proceedings will reveal and how they may affect the reputations of everyone involved, from Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, to Justin Baldoni, Taylor Swift, and Hugh Jackman.
