Blake Lively has just been named a "Titan" on the 2025 Time100 most influential people list, but the announcement couldn't have dropped at a messier moment. The actress is currently embroiled in a very public legal feud with Justin Baldoni, her co-star from the film adaptation of "It Ends With Us". Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during filming, while Baldoni vigorously denies the allegations and has counter-sued, alleging harassment and defamation.

Despite the swirling lawsuits, civil rights activist Sherrilyn Ifill heaped praise on Lively in her Time profile, focusing on Lively's philanthropy and intellectual curiosity rather than her Hollywood glitz. Ifill highlighted a $2 million donation Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, made to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund back in 2019. According to Ifill, Lively is committed to understanding America's deepest issues and doesn't shy away from tough conversations about the country's history. Now that's a side of Blake Lively you don't exactly see on the Met Gala red carpet.

But not everyone is applauding. Social media erupted with critics questioning whether Lively's inclusion on the list was a PR move, with some pointing to her past controversies and suggesting that influence, these days, might just be a matter of having the right contacts. Comments ranged from skepticism about her philanthropic timing to outright accusations of undeserved recognition. One particularly biting remark called her selection "an insult to the rest of the recipients who actually deserve it." Ouch.

Of course, Lively still has her defenders, who argue her activism and charitable work speak for themselves. One supporter wrote that her inclusion is "well-deserved," emphasizing that her impact goes beyond a single donation—though, let's be honest, $2 million is a lot of impact.

The drama is compounded by behind-the-scenes allegations from the "It Ends With Us" crew. Storyboard artist Talia Spencer claimed Lively "tried to take advantage" of Baldoni, arguing she sought to wrest creative control from him during filming. Meanwhile, actor Adam Mondschein disputed Lively's claims about being forced into a "nearly nude" scene, clarifying her costume was more modest than described.

With both Lively and Baldoni digging in for a protracted legal fight—settlement talks have been declared "premature" by both sides—their dispute is set to head to trial in 2026. For now, the court of public opinion is as divided as ever, and Time's latest list has become the unlikely battleground for a much bigger culture war over fame, influence, and accountability.

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Blake Lively's Time100 'Titan' Nod Stirs Social Media Storm Amid Legal Drama