While Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds were once a staple at the Met Gala, the couple had a reason for passing on the event in 2025 that didn’t have to do with the actress’ ongoing lawsuit with her It Ends With Us costar Justin Baldoni.
“She’s not a Kardashian that goes every year,” a source told Us Weekly on March 21, after confirming that Blake, 37, and Ryan, 48, were not going to attend the 2025 gala on Monday, May 5.
The same day, TMZ also reported that Blake and Ryan would not be participating in the 2025 gala for the same reason, that it simply wasn’t an annual event for the couple.
“Blake and Ryan haven’t gone since 2022, when they were cochairs, and they will not be in attendance this year,” another insider told People about their absence.
The Age of Adaline actress and the Deadpool star were last present on the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2022, when they served as cochairs for the gala along with actor Lin-Manuel Miranda and designer Tom Ford.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
That year, Blake embraced the “Gilded Glamour and White Tie” theme in a stunning and highly memorable Versace gown. It included a giant rose gold bow that when it was untied upon the Gossip Girl alum’s entrance, formed a long pale blue train.
“I’ve patinated,” Blake told La La Anthony during Vogue’s live stream at the event. “This dress is an homage to New York City and so many of the classic, iconic buildings.”
“This is detailing from the Empire State Building,” she said of the bodice, while the train included the constellation from Grand Central Station. Her tiara was a nod to the Statue of Liberty.
“This year was especially nerve-racking being one of the hosts,” Blake added. “I thought a neat perspective on the theme would be looking at the city that I love so much and the architecture, rather than just the fashion.”
Blake Lively
While Blake skipped out on the 2025 Met Gala, she had been active promoting her new movie, Another Simple Favor.
The Shallows star made rare revelations about the four children she shares with Ryan during a stop by Late Night With Seth Meyers on May 1.
Blake called her only son, Olin, 2, a “dream,” adding, “it’s different” having a son.
“He just, like, announces that I’m the love of his life at all times, which is just the best feeling in the world. I get dressed every day like I’m a girl in middle school. Like, ‘Oh, my gosh … I hope he, like, says something,’” Blake gushed.
It’s a different story with her daughters, James, 10, Inez, 8, and Betty, 5. The Rhythm Section star said her girls “criticize [her] outfits.”
Blake’s publicity tour for her new movie came amid her ongoing legal battle with Justin, 41. She filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024, accusing her It Ends With Us director and costar of sexual harassment. Blake followed it up by formally suing Justin, Wayfarer Studios and two PR reps in federal court on December 31, 2024. Justin denied all allegations.
Justin sued Blake and Ryan in a $400 million lawsuit filed on January 16, alleging defamation, civil extortion, breach of contract and other accusations.
Blake’s legal team responded to his lawsuit by calling it, “An age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim.” Blake and Ryan have denied all allegations.
Justin’s team denied wrongdoing and went on to release texts and videos from the making of It Ends With Us in an attempt to disprove some of Blake’s harassment claims. The two are still currently locked in a legal battle.
