Blake Lively was once a Hollywood darling, praised for her fashion, charm, and iconic role in Gossip Girl. But in recent years, her career has hit a rough patch, and even being married to one of the industry’s biggest stars, Ryan Reynolds, hasn’t been enough to keep audiences engaged.
As she prepares for her big-screen return in Another Simple Favor, she faces increasing challenges—not just from an indifferent audience but also from an ongoing legal dispute with director Justin Baldoni. With setbacks piling up, Blake seems to be losing her place in the industry.
Blake Lively first made her mark in Hollywood as Serena van der Woodsen, a role that made her a fashion icon and a household name. For years, she was celebrated for her beauty, effortless style, and high-profile relationship with Ryan Reynolds.
However, while Ryan’s career skyrocketed with blockbuster hits like Deadpool, Free Guy, and his recent business ventures, Blake has struggled to maintain the same level of success.
Her acting career, despite a few notable roles in films like The Age of Adaline and A Simple Favor, never quite reached A-list status. While she has proven she can deliver strong performances, she has yet to find a defining role that cements her legacy beyond Gossip Girl.
Blake’s upcoming film, Another Simple Favor, is meant to be a major comeback. The original 2018 film, in which she starred alongside Anna Kendrick, was praised for its stylish mystery-thriller elements and became a cult favorite. However, the excitement for the sequel has been underwhelming.
While Anna Kendrick remains a fan favorite, Blake’s return hasn’t sparked much interest. Her performance in the first film was overshadowed by the film’s aesthetic and plot twists rather than by her acting itself.
With Another Simple Favor, she has an opportunity to prove that she can still carry a film, but the lack of anticipation raises concerns. Can she still draw audiences, or has Hollywood already moved on?
Adding to her struggles, Blake is now caught in a legal dispute with actor and director Justin Baldoni. While details remain unclear, their litigation has drawn attention, and not in a good way.
Hollywood is no stranger to legal battles, but for an actress who is already losing favor with audiences, negative publicity like this doesn’t help. It further shifts the focus away from her work and makes her appear more relevant in controversy than in her career.
While Ryan Reynolds continues to be adored by the public and makes successful business moves, Blake seems to be stuck in a cycle of fading relevance and professional setbacks.
It’s no secret that celebrity couples often benefit from each other’s fame, but in Blake’s case, even being married to Ryan Reynolds hasn’t been enough to boost her career.
While the two make headlines for their playful social media interactions and public appearances, Ryan’s success doesn’t seem to translate to more opportunities for Blake.
Ryan has managed to keep himself at the top of the industry with smart business ventures, highly anticipated films, and a strong connection with audiences. Meanwhile, Blake, despite having a massive platform, hasn’t found the right projects to keep herself relevant.
Instead of becoming a leading lady in Hollywood, she risks being seen more as "Ryan Reynolds’ wife" rather than as a star in her own right.
One of Blake’s biggest challenges is staying connected with modern audiences. Unlike stars who engage heavily with fans, share personal stories, or reinvent their brands, Blake has maintained a more distant Hollywood persona.
While she occasionally makes headlines for her fashion choices, there’s little else that keeps audiences invested in her career.
Additionally, her film choices haven’t been particularly groundbreaking. While she has shown promise in thrillers and dramas, she has yet to land a role that truly defines her beyond Gossip Girl. Without a strong performance in Another Simple Favor, she risks being left behind as new stars take over the industry.
Blake Lively is at a turning point in her career. With Another Simple Favor and the legal battle with Justin Baldoni both drawing attention, she has a chance to shift the narrative. But will she seize the opportunity?
To regain her standing in Hollywood, Blake needs to deliver a performance that reminds audiences why they once loved her. She needs a role that showcases more than just style and elegance—something that proves she’s still a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
If Another Simple Favor flops, it could further cement the idea that Blake Lively’s time in Hollywood is fading. However, if she delivers something unexpected and compelling, she might just turn things around.
Blake’s future in Hollywood depends on what she does next. Will she continue to coast on past fame and social media presence, or will she fight to re-establish herself as a leading actress?
Ryan Reynolds’ success may keep her in the public eye, but at the end of the day, it’s up to Blake to prove she can still command the spotlight on her own. With her latest film on the way and a legal dispute hanging over her, she has one more chance to show that she still belongs in Hollywood.
But will audiences give her another shot? That remains to be seen.