Blake Lively’s Legal Battle Takes a Drastic Turn: Chelsea Handler’s Brutal Roast at Critics’ Choice Awards Exposes the Cracks in Her Image

Blake Lively’s public image took a massive hit at the 2025 Critics’ Choice Awards when comedian Chelsea Handler ruthlessly mocked the actress’s legal battle with Justin Baldoni, dismissing it as a “silly distraction.” Handler’s sharp jokes about Lively’s attempts to portray herself as a victim sparked laughter from the Hollywood crowd, signaling a dramatic shift in the industry’s view of the actress. The night, meant to celebrate achievements in film, turned into a public humiliation for Lively, leaving her PR team scrambling.

Handler’s roast wasn’t just a casual joke; it was a stark reflection of how Hollywood has turned on Lively, with even her closest allies in the industry seeming to join in the laughter. The once-celebrated actress, known for her role in Gossip Girl and her relationship with Ryan Reynolds, has found herself isolated as her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni unravels in the public eye. The backlash intensified as evidence emerged suggesting Lively had manipulated facts, leading to questions about her credibility.

For Taylor Swift, a longtime friend of Lively’s, the scandal has become too much to support. Swift, who had initially shown subtle signs of solidarity, has distanced herself from the messy legal battle after Baldoni’s team released incriminating text messages and emails. With the stakes high and the media narrative shifting, Lively’s attempt to position herself as a feminist icon fighting for justice seems to have backfired spectacularly.

The drama surrounding It Ends With Us, where the conflict between Blake and Justin became a headline story, was further complicated by legal battles, competing visions for the film, and accusations of harassment. Justin’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and the New York Times escalated tensions, with leaked text messages revealing a far more complex and manipulative side to Lively’s claims.

As the industry watches this saga unfold, it seems Hollywood has made its decision—Lively’s once-untouchable star power is now on the decline. With her credibility in question and the public turning against her, Blake Lively might find that her battle for justice has led to the destruction of her career. Handler’s public takedown served as a signal to Hollywood: the victim narrative has crumbled, and Lively’s future in the industry may be uncertain.