Blake Lively Celebrates Gossip Girl’s Legacy Amid Legal Battles with Ex
Blake Lively's Gossip Girl Reunion: A Blast from the Past!
It's been 18 years since Blake Lively donned the iconic gold cotillion gown as Serena van der Woodsen on the hit teen drama Gossip Girl, but the actress still can't help but reminisce about her time on the show. In a stunning Instagram post, Lively shared a treasure trove of never-before-seen photos from the set of the show that defined a generation.
The nostalgic carousel, set to Peter Bjorn And John's "Young Folks," is a trip down memory lane for fans who grew up watching the drama unfold in Manhattan's Upper East Side. Lively, now 38, shared sweet moments with her on-screen bestie Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf) and other cast members, including Penn Badgley (Dan Humphrey), Chace Crawford (Nate Archibald), and Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass).
But amidst the nostalgia, a more serious tone was struck when Lively revealed that working on Gossip Girl was more than just a job – it was an "education" and a chance to form lasting bonds with her peers. The actress credited the show for providing her with a sense of belonging and camaraderie, saying, "It was like going to college, but with better fashion and more drama."
The photos shared by Lively include candid shots of the cast during filming and downtime in NYC. One particularly striking image shows Lively hugging Meester, while another features the late Michelle Trachtenberg (Georgina Sparks) in a sweet moment with her co-stars.
But Gossip Girl wasn't just about the drama on screen – it was also a cultural phenomenon that launched its young cast into international stardom. The show ran for six seasons and 121 episodes, captivating audiences worldwide with its blend of romance, scandal, and high society intrigue.
Lively's post was met with an outpouring of love from fans who fondly remember the show's iconic moments, from Chuck and Blair's tumultuous relationship to Serena and Nate's on-again, off-again romance. But amidst the nostalgia, a more serious tone was struck when Lively revealed that she and Meester would often spend hours talking about their characters' relationships and storylines.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the entertainment world, Lively is still embroiled in a bitter courtroom battle with her It Ends with Us co-star Justin Baldoni. The actress has filed a sweeping motion seeking attorney's fees, treble damages, and punitive damages against Baldoni's company Wayfarer Studios and its executives.
According to court documents obtained by thescholarlynote.com, Lively's lawyers argue that Wayfarer's defamation lawsuit against her was "baseless from the start" and aimed at damaging her credibility and concealing their own unlawful acts. The motion accuses Baldoni of attempting to silence her after she reported harassment and retaliation on set.
The drama doesn't end there – new allegations have surfaced against Baldoni, with a sworn declaration filed by Lively's lawyer alleging that an individual experienced "repeated, negative interactions" with the actor and his associates, including verbal abuse. The accuser claimed they requested that Baldoni not be involved in marketing or public relations efforts.
In a stunning twist, thescholarlynote.com has learned that Alexandra Shapiro, a high-profile lawyer who has represented clients like Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried, has joined Baldoni's legal team. Shapiro previously worked as a clerk for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and is known for her expertise in high-stakes cases.
But Lively's team remains undeterred, arguing that Wayfarer's conduct fits squarely into what California Civil Code Section 47.1 was designed to prevent – retaliatory lawsuits against those who come forward with harassment complaints. Under this statute, Lively is asking the court to impose severe penalties, including treble damages and punitive damages.
The drama has been brewing for months, with Baldoni firing back at Lively's claims of harassment in a defamation lawsuit filed against her, her publicist Leslie Sloane, and husband Ryan Reynolds. Justin also waged war with The New York Times, filing a $250million lawsuit against the publication over its bombshell tell-all on Lively's sexual harassment claims against her former co-star.
But in a major setback for Baldoni's hopes of a blockbuster win, a judge dismissed his lawsuit in June, ruling that all of Lively's allegations were made within privileged court papers. The judge also dismissed the lawsuit against The New York Times, stating that the publication had no obvious motive to favor Lively's version of events.
As the drama continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are locked in a battle for truth, with millions of dollars on the line. Stay tuned for more updates as this saga continues to captivate audiences worldwide!
