Blake Lively’s social media presence has taken a significant hit amid her ongoing lawsuit against Justin Baldoni. Despite initially losing only 32,664 followers in December following the publication of an article about her sexual harassment complaint, Lively later experienced her largest follower drop in five years.
In contrast, Baldoni appears to have gained public sympathy. The outcome of the lawsuit and any potential new evidence could further impact Lively’s reputation.
In December, when The New York Times published an article detailing Lively’s sexual harassment complaint, the actress saw her smallest follower decline since September, losing exactly 32,664 followers. However, data from earlier in the month shows that between December 21 and January 3, she actually gained 46,624 followers.
This fluctuation highlights the unpredictable nature of public opinion during high-profile legal battles.
Social media analyst Mark Porcar emphasized the potential ramifications of the lawsuit for both Hollywood power players and Baldoni. “Justin Baldoni’s lawsuits have shifted the landscape entirely, leading to Lively’s most significant follower drop in five years. Meanwhile, Baldoni appears to have regained favor with the public,” Porcar explained.
He also noted that the situation remains fluid. “As new evidence emerges, we may see the situation change yet again—or Lively and [her husband, Ryan] Reynolds could face even greater fallout,” Porcar remarked. This comment came after the couple skipped the SAG Awards, where Reynolds was nominated for his role in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Their absence from the awards show followed their attendance at SNL’s 50th anniversary special, where Reynolds attempted to inject humor by subtly referencing the lawsuit.
However, the joke did not land well with audiences, further fueling speculation about the couple’s public image during this contentious period.
Lively and Baldoni are currently scheduled to go to trial on March 9, 2026. As the legal battle unfolds, the court of public opinion will likely continue to shift, with both parties’ reputations hanging in the balance.
