To make it simple: Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick are not beefing.
Amid rumors that the A Simple Favor costarshave bad blood between them, a source with knowledge of the situation shut down any speculation.
“There is no drama,” the source told E! News. “They are not enemies. They are coworkers; friends and get along well.”
According to the insider, Blake and Anna—who will soon reunite for the premiere of sequel Another Simple Favor at SXSW—”look forward to promoting the movie along with the rest of the cast.”
The confirmation that Lively and Kendrick are in each other’s good graces comes amid a turbulent time for the Gossip Girl alum. As she and husband Ryan Reynolds continue their ongoing litigation with It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni, the status of her high-profile friendships have been called into question more than once.
After Lively’s best friend of 10 years Taylor Swift was subtly referenced in a filing by Baldoni, many people online began to speculate the status of her and Lively’s friendship, with some outlets reporting that their close bond was in jeopardy. However, a source confirmed to E! News Jan. 29 that the rumors were “not true.”
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants alum—who shares kids James, 10, Inez, 8, Betty, 5, and Olin, born in 2023, with Ryan—has however been laying low since filing her lawsuit against Baldoni for mental pain and anguish, severe emotional distress, and lost wages, where she also alleged he had sexually harassed her while making the Colleen Hoover adaptation. (Baldoni, for his part, filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively, Reynolds and their publicist.)
Indeed, Lively has only stepped out a handful of times this year, including for a date night that Reynolds later shared to his Instagram Story earlier this month. However, the 37-year-old continues to be supported by her close confidants, including A Simple Favor director Paul Feig, who previously slammed the idea that there was anything sour between Kendrick and Lively.
“This is total BS. Sorry,” Feig wrote in a Jan. 10 post on X, quoting a since-deleted speculative post. “The movie is finished and coming out soon. Don’t believe anything you read on social media these days.”
Keep reading for more stars who have shown Lively support amid her legal battle…
Colleen Hoover
After Blake Lively filed a legal complaint against It Ends With Us costar and director Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment on the film’s set and for later taking part in a smear campaign against her—claims that he has since denied via his lawyer—Colleen Hoover, who wrote the book that the movie is based on, shared a message to the actress.
“@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” Colleen wrote on her Instagram Stories Dec. 21. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
Robyn Lively
Blake’s sister, fellow actress Robyn Lively, also weighed in.
“I urge everyone to read The NY Times article in its entirety,” Robyn wrote on Instagram Dec. 23, referencing the NYT piece that details Blake’s complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department. “It calls out those behind the ruthless and nefarious smear campaign that aimed to take down my sister.”
The Teen Witch star went on to note that it also “highlights” what Blake allegedly experienced on the set of It Ends With Us.
Paul Feig
Blake’s A Simple Favor director also came to her defense, writing on X Dec. 22, “I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with. She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this.”
Amy Schumer
The comedian showed her support for the Gossip Girl alum, writing on her Instagram Story Dec. 22, “I believe Blake.”
Gwyneth Paltrow
Shortly after Blake’s complaint was made public, the Goop founder shared a photo of The Town star’s hair company, Blake Brown, on her Instagram Story, writing, “Just added to my Christmas wish list.”
Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn & America Ferrera
Blake’s BFFs and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars penned a joint message, posted to Instagram Dec. 22, stating they “stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation.”
Bart Johnson
Bart Johnson shared an impassioned defense of his sister-in-law in the comments section of a New York Times Instagram post detailing the filing and its own investigation into the behind-the-scenes turmoil.
“Her complained were filed during the filming,” the High School Musical alum, who is married to Blake’s sister Robyn, wrote. “On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him for a reason. Read this article before spitting ignorance. His PR team was stellar. Gross and disgusting but highly effective. Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is with out faults. But the public got played.”
He later added on X of Baldoni, “He’s a fraud. He puts on the ‘costume’ of a hero, man bun and all. Used all of the trendy catchphrases & buzz words for his podcasts. None of it’s genuine. It’s all theater. And everyone fell for it. For years. Rewatch his videos with a more critical eye and watch him compliment and praise himself with faux humility and self deprecation. What a performance.”
Shawn Levy
Ryan Reynolds‘ frequent collaborator Shawn Levy shared the New York Times investigation into the smear campaign on his Instagram Stories, writing, “Proud to call @blakelively a friend.”
Amber Heard
Days after Lively’s filing was made public, Amber Heard reflected on her own experience facing relentless vitriol online amid ex Johnny Depp‘s defamation trial against her.
“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,’” the Aquaman star expressed in a statement to NBC News Dec. 23. “I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”
Brandon Sklenar
Brandon Sklenar, who played Blake’s love interest Atlas Corrigan in It Ends With Us, had a simple, pointed message of support.
Sharing a screenshot of the Gossip Girl alum’s full complaint against Baldoni on his Instagram Stories Dec. 23, he wrote over a link to the text, “For the love of God read this.” He followed up by tagging her with a heart emoji.
Jenny Slate
Jenny Slate, who played Baldoni’s sister and Blake’s BFF in the film, shared her thoughts on the “disturbing” allegations.
“As Blake Lively’s castmate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation,” Slate said in a Dec. 23 statement to Today. “Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.”
“What has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening,” the Parks and Recreation alum continued. “I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side.”
Michele Morrone
The actor, who stars alongside Lively in the upcoming sequel to A Simple Favor, sent his love to her on Instagram Story Dec. 23, adding that he felt her “pain” as they filmed together earlier this year.
