Hollywood Couple's Wholesome Welsh Getaway Contrasts with Pending Legal Battle
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds recently shared a series of rare Instagram photos together, reflecting on "what a week" in Wrexham, Wales. This came shortly after Reynolds' football team, Wrexham AFC, was eliminated from the FA Cup. The Hollywood power couple returned to north-east Wales to watch Wrexham take on Premier League giants Chelsea in the fifth round clash at the Racecourse Ground.
A Football-Focused Outing with Personal Touches
Despite Wrexham's elimination from the competition, which Reynolds co-owns with fellow actor Rob McElhenney, the pair appeared in high spirits as they watched the match from a private suite. Reynolds also made his debut as a football commentator for Sky Sports during the game, adding a professional milestone to the personal trip. After the final whistle, Lively and Reynolds stepped onto the pitch to pose for a sweet photograph together, capturing a moment of camaraderie despite the sporting disappointment.
Their Welsh countryside adventure extended beyond the football ground. The couple enjoyed a date at an Owl Sanctuary, where they held nocturnal birds of prey. Lively looked stylish in a khaki long waterproof jacket, matching winter hat, brown suede shirt, checked trousers, and tan shoes. Reynolds cut a smart figure in a beige jumper layered under a navy coat and trousers, while holding a large owl. The pair cosied up for a loved-up selfie, beaming into each other's eyes during the outing.
Playful Moments and Superhero Nostalgia
In a playful nod to his superhero film background, Reynolds posed wearing two green Hulk hands, showcasing his trademark humour. He captioned the Instagram post simply: "What a week." This lighthearted moment contrasted with the more serious matters looming in Lively's professional life.
Looming Legal Proceedings Cast Shadow
The wholesome Welsh getaway comes just two months before Lively is set to go to trial for her lawsuit against actor and director Justin Baldoni in May in New York City. The actress filed the lawsuit in December 2024, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign against her. The pair had previously worked together on the 2024 film It Ends With Us, which Baldoni directed.
Baldoni responded with a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and filed a $250 million libel claim against the New York Times, which had reported on Lively's allegations. This case was dismissed by a judge in June of last year. Last month in February, Lively and Baldoni attended a settlement hearing in NYC, but the actress abruptly left after six hours of negotiations, accompanied by her lawyer Michael Gottleb. Baldoni exited shortly after, joined by his wife Emily for support.
Background to the Legal Dispute
Audio tapes obtained by the Daily Mail reveal that Baldoni had insisted Lively play the lead role of Lily Bloom in It Ends With Us, despite some fans wanting Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Abigail Cowen cast instead. Baldoni told Lively he did not want "some 22-year-old fresh out of college" in the role, explaining that movies with older men and much younger love interests were not what he was interested in making.
A previous settlement conference took place on January 22, but neither Lively nor Baldoni attended. Legal filings have also shed light on Lively's private, often explosive text messages with some of her A-list friends. The upcoming trial is scheduled for May 18 in NYC, adding a layer of professional tension to what otherwise appeared as a relaxing personal retreat for the celebrity couple.
