Blake Lively wears a pink dress and stands with her hand on her hip at the Met Gala.

Notable People

Blake Lively Looked ‘Strained’ at the Met Gala After Lawsuit Settlement, Said Body Language Expert

Blake Lively attended the Met Gala for the first time in three years. A body language expert said she seemed strained.

by Emma McKee

Published on May 5, 2026

2 min read

Blake Lively attended the Met Gala after her lawsuit settlement news broke

On May 4, Lively attended the Met Gala after a three-year hiatus. She wore an archival Atelier Versace gown from 2006. Just hours before she arrived at the event, news broke that she and Baldoni reached a settlement on their case. Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment and engaging in a retaliatory smear campaign in late 2024.

While Lively appeared to be in good spirits at the gala, celebrity body language expert Inbaal Honigman with Casino.org said Lively appeared slightly tense.

“Blake’s smile appears the most strained, as she struggles to control her gown,” Honigman said. “While she often shows a full, toothy smile, it doesn’t quite reach the rest of her face, her cheeks don’t lift, and her eyes don’t narrow with genuine warmth.”

Honigman added that whenever Lively’s smile faded, her resting expression conveyed a more contemplative side.

“Each time the smile fades, she briefly returns to a neutral expression that feels more authentic, even carrying a slightly somber tone.”

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni will not go to trial

After well over a year of legal proceedings, Baldoni and Lively settled their lawsuit just weeks ahead of trial. Their lawyers said that the film It Ends With Us was still a source of pride for Lively and Baldoni.

“The end product — the movie It Ends With Us — is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life,” their lawyers said in a joint statement (via People). “Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors — and all survivors — is a goal that we stand behind.”

They expressed their hope that they can move forward peacefully in the future.

“We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard. We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments,” continued the statement. “It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”

She was previously a co-chair of the Met Gala

When Lively last attended the Met Gala, she served as a co-chair with husband Ryan Reynolds. She wore a copper gown and later revealed a blue train. She said that New York City architecture inspired the look.

“The draping [represents] the Statue of Liberty, plus the crown, which has seven tiers. The Statue of Liberty has seven rays representing the sun’s rays and then also the seven seas and continents which represents welcomeness, inclusivity, and freedom,” she continued. “I sound like a Wikipedia page. She has 25 windows, so [jeweler Lorraine Schwartz] put 25 stones at the bottom, so they’re all New York City references.”