Blake Lively Shines at SXSW Amid Legal Drama with Justin Baldoni

Blake Lively stepped out in style at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, seemingly unfazed by her ongoing legal battle with actor Justin Baldoni. The actress attended the world premiere of her new film, "Another Simple Favor," flashing smiles and signing autographs as if courtrooms and lawsuits were a world away.

Lively's appearance marked one of her first public outings since she and Baldoni filed lawsuits against one another in a legal saga that has captivated Hollywood watchers. On Friday, the "Gossip Girl" alum donned an eye-catching light pink latex dress embellished with black lace floral designs. Her ensemble included a corset that cinched her waist and a matching latex cover-up, paired with tousled waves that perfectly balanced elegance and edge.

During a panel at the Paramount Theatre, Lively spoke about reprising her role as Emily Nelson in the sequel to the 2018 hit "A Simple Favor." "I love this character so much. It’s probably my favorite character I’ve ever been fortunate enough to play," she shared, adding that she was thrilled when director Paul Feig approached her about returning for the sequel. Lively revealed that while filming the first movie was nerve-wracking due to uncertainty about its tone, she felt more confident this time—until Feig threw in a "curveball idea" that upped the ante. "It was very uncomfortable to watch in the theater with you guys," she admitted.

Anna Kendrick, Lively's co-star, kept things cryptic when asked about working with Lively amidst her legal drama with Baldoni. "Oh, you know," Kendrick quipped before quickly changing the subject and posing for fans. In another moment, she joked about how she had "done ayahuasca" and lost all memory of the past year—a cheeky dodge that says plenty without saying anything at all.

The ongoing legal clash between Lively and Baldoni took its latest turn during a 90-minute court hearing last Thursday. At the heart of the dispute is a proposed protective order governing the confidentiality of evidence in their cases. Lively's lawyers pushed for an "attorney's eyes only" designation, arguing that sensitive text messages with "high-profile individuals" should remain private. Baldoni's legal team, however, pushed back, calling the suggestion unnecessary while assuring the court they had no intention of leaking any sensitive information.

Judge Lewis Liman refrained from making a final ruling on the protective order during the hearing, though he noted that relevant evidence must be available for both sides to discuss and use. The legal case stems from Lively's December lawsuit against Baldoni for sexual harassment, while Baldoni has counter-sued, claiming her allegations were false and aimed at salvaging her reputation.

Despite the courtroom drama, Blake Lively radiated confidence at SXSW, reminding everyone why she remains one of Hollywood's brightest stars. If her latex-clad appearance was any indication, she's not letting legal woes dull her shine.