Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds made a memorable return to the red carpet at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special on Sunday, 

but their appearance quickly became the subject of mixed reactions.

While the celebrity couple’s attendance at the star-studded event certainly drew attention, Hollywood insiders have raised eyebrows over their decision to make a public appearance

so soon after Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni.

Hollywood Insiders Weigh In

An exclusive source spoke to Page Six, expressing concerns that the couple’s appearance at the SNL celebration might not have been the best move, given the ongoing legal battle.

“They should have sat this one out,” the insider commented, hinting that the timing of their appearance was questionable.

Lively, 37, filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December, accusing him of sexual harassment and claiming he orchestrated a public smear campaign against her. The lawsuit has sparked a significant amount of media attention, and insiders suggest that the timing of their red carpet return could play a role in the unfolding legal drama.

Ryan Reynolds’ Joking Response to the Lawsuit Drama

Adding fuel to the fire, Ryan Reynolds, 48, made light of the legal situation during the SNL anniversary special. When Tina Fey and Amy Poehler playfully singled him out in the audience, they asked, “Ryan Reynolds! How’s it going?” Reynolds responded with a sarcastic quip, “Great! Why, what have you heard?” The comment, which seemed to reference the ongoing lawsuit, struck a nerve with some who felt it trivialized the serious nature of the accusations Lively made against Baldoni.

The moment raised questions about how the couple is handling the public scrutiny surrounding their legal battle. Some insiders have speculated that Baldoni’s legal team may use this high-profile appearance as part of his defense strategy. “It’s very plausible that Justin’s legal team will use this public outing to defend Baldoni,” one source told Page Six. “Justin is taking this lawsuit in all seriousness and isn’t making a public mockery out of it.”

Lively’s Mixed Feelings on Attending the Event

Despite the backlash, Lively herself appeared to have mixed emotions about attending the event. A second insider revealed that the actress was initially hesitant to participate in the celebration, but ultimately felt glad she did. “Blake and Ryan have no regrets about making an appearance and they’re glad they showed up because they have nothing to hide and no reason not to,” the source said.

It seems that Lively ultimately found enjoyment in the event. “Blake was initially hesitant to attend the anniversary show but ultimately she’s glad she went and had a really nice time,” the insider added.

The couple stayed late into the night, with the source mentioning that “Blake and Ryan were two of the last people to leave Studio 8H where ‘SNL’ is filmed.” This suggests that they were in good spirits despite the tension surrounding their public appearance.

The Legal Drama Looms Large

The timing of Lively and Reynolds’ red carpet return is particularly significant considering the ongoing legal issues surrounding Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni.

Since filing her lawsuit, Lively has received public support from several co-stars and celebrities, including comedian Amy Schumer, who expressed her belief in Lively’s claims. However, Baldoni has denied all accusations and countersued Lively and Reynolds, alleging defamation and other charges.

Lively’s presence at SNL and Reynolds’ humorous comments have only added complexity to the situation, with some questioning whether their public demeanor reflects an attempt to downplay the gravity of the legal matters.

Others have defended the couple’s decision to attend the event, seeing it as an opportunity to show that they have nothing to hide and are continuing to live their lives despite the turmoil.

Conclusion: A Red Carpet Appearance with Unanswered Questions

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ return to the red carpet at the SNL 50th anniversary special certainly did not go unnoticed. While the couple appeared to enjoy the evening, mingling with fellow celebrities like Kevin Costner, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Steven Spielberg, the timing of their public appearance raised questions about the handling of their ongoing legal battle.

With Reynolds joking about the lawsuit and insiders debating whether the couple made the right decision to attend, one thing is clear: the couple’s red carpet return was anything but simple, and their appearance at SNL only added further intrigue to their already high-profile legal situation.