Golden Globes viewers were left perplexed after red carpet regulars Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds failed to appear at last night's ceremony (5 January) - despite the Deadpool actor being up for an award.
Now, a source close to the couple has claimed that the reason for their absence isn't entirely how it may seem.
Reynolds and his co-lead Hugh Jackman were amongst those nominated for a 'Cinematic and Box Office Achievement' for their roles in the superhero hit Deadpool & Wolverine.
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The action-packed film was up against the likes of Alien: Romulus, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Gladiator II, Inside Out 2, Twisters, The Wild Robot and Wicked - the latter of which subsequently won.
Sadly, neither Reynolds or Jackman were anywhere to be seen during last night's star-studded soiree.
Today, however, an insider shut down speculation that the bombshell legal battle that Reynolds' wife Blake Lively is embroiled in against It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni played a part in their decision not to attend the 2025 awards.
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On 20 December, the 37-year-old former Gossip Girl actress accused her on-screen love interest of orchestrating a 'smear campaign' to 'destroy' her reputation.
She also alleged that Baldoni, 40, exhibited overly-sexualised behaviour towards her, 'improvised gratuitous sexual content' after she’d accepted the role of Lily Bloom in the adaption of Colleen Hoover’s novel, and asked explicit questions about her own sex life with husband Reynolds.
The allegations were originally covered in late December by the New York Times, which Baldoni subsequently sued for libel and false-light invasion of privacy.
The news outlet later told press that they'd 'vigorously defend against the lawsuit'.
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As we say, however, Deadline has reported that Lively and Reynolds' decision not to attend this year's Golden Globes was made way in advance of the legal battle.
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Nikki Glaser - the host of last night's show - told viewers ahead of the ceremony that Baldoni and Lively's lawsuit was a topic considered 'off limits', which wouldn't be referenced in her opening monologue.
Speaking to Yahoo Entertainment, the comedian explained: "I think the Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni thing is such a hot-button thing right now that even a mere mention of it will seem like I could be on the wrong side of things, even though I would never be.
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"I also don’t want to give his name any ... I’m mad I even know his name, to be honest with you, so I don’t need to say it anymore."
Tyla previously approached reps for both Lively and Baldoni for comment.
Topics: Celebrity, US News, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, TV And Film, Golden Globes
Rhianna Benson