Blake Lively Talks TIME 100 Recognition Amid Lawsuit with Justin Baldoni – ‘My 10-Year-Old Self Is Pretty Blown Away!’
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Blake Lively has received a prestigious nod on TIME magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 most influential people in the world, an honor she doesn’t take lightly, especially as she navigates a complex legal battle with It Ends with Us director Justin Baldoni.
Lively, 37, took to social media to express her gratitude for making the TIME100 list, which includes global figures like President Donald Trump and media personality Joe Rogan. In her heartfelt post, the actress shared a message of reflection, paying tribute to the civil rights work of lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill, who wrote the essay explaining why Lively was selected for the list. Lively also took a moment to send a sweet message to her younger self, acknowledging just how surreal the recognition felt.
“It’s an honor to be acknowledged on the @time 100 list for 2025🤍🙏🤍,” Lively wrote on Instagram. “To be written about by the great @sherrilynifill is not something I take lightly.” She also described Ifill as a major influence on her, stating that the lawyer’s work has shaped her heart and her drive to continue advocating for a better and safer future for all.
Lively’s social media tribute included a black-and-white photo of her on the TIME100 cover and a screenshot of the essay Ifill had written about her. In the piece, Ifill described Lively not as the glamorous red carpet figure but as a dedicated philanthropist deeply committed to addressing the country’s most pressing issues.
“I don’t know the Blake Lively of the red carpet. Or the Met Gala,” Ifill wrote. “The Blake Lively I know is a philanthropist and a student of our country’s most intractable problems.” Ifill went on to recount how Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, reached out in 2019 to make a contribution to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, a move that highlighted their dedication to social justice.
Ifill’s praise for Lively was personal and thoughtful. She recalled a moment when Lively expressed her frustration over how much of U.S. history had been omitted from her education, further solidifying her passion for social change. “She’s committed to moving this country forward. For her children. And for mine,” Ifill concluded, calling Lively a “serious person” and a “risk taker.”
This recognition from TIME comes at a time of personal and professional turbulence for Lively. Last year, she was involved in a legal dispute with Baldoni, her It Ends with Us co-star and director, after Lively filed a lawsuit against him. Baldoni countersued, and the case is set to go to trial in March 2026. Despite the ongoing legal battle, Lively’s public acknowledgment of her inclusion in the TIME100 list demonstrates her ability to balance personal challenges with her commitment to making a difference.
Lively’s next project, Another Simple Favor, will be available for streaming on Prime Video starting May 1. As she continues to navigate both her career and personal life, Lively’s recognition as one of the world’s most influential figures serves as a testament to her enduring impact on both Hollywood and the causes she cares deeply about.
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