Blake Lively addresses abuse and survival in her compelling speech at Time100 Gala

Blake Lively gave an emotional speech at the Time100 Gala in New York City. She reflected on trauma, survival, and the importance of women's voices amidst her ongoing legal battle with actor Justin Baldoni.

Her comments alluded to her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni but did not refer to him specifically.

Standing beside her mother, a survivor herself, Lively pointed out the role that comes with power. Justin Baldoni and her accusations of sexual harassment against him were never brought up by Lively, who Time magazine named one of the world's most influential people.


But after considering that influence is a "significant responsibility" to hold, she made reference to the lawsuit.

How did Blake Lively address her legal battle with Justin Baldoni?

"Who and what we stand up for, and what we stay silent about, and what we monetise versus what we actually live, matters," she stated.

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"I have so much to say about the last two years of my life, but tonight is not the forum," Lively said. "What I will speak to separately is the feeling of being a woman who has a voice today, and since I could speak because of the pain, caution and fight of the many women who have paved the way, and the men who stood beside them, millions I will never know the name of , because every life, every act, big or small, affects another,” she stated, as quoted in a report by USA Today.

What did Blake Lively say about her during her Time100 speech?

The actress claimed that her mother pushed her to share this information. She claimed that as her daughter, it is monumental to be asked to share this today because she has spent her entire life watching her hide her undeserved and raw shame.

Holding her mother's hand, Lively remarked, "My mom never got justice from her work acquaintance who tried to take her life when she was the mother of three young kids, years before I was born."

According to Lively, her mother attributes her survival to learning from the story of another woman she had heard on the radio, who had "painfully and graphically" described escaping abuse.

"Because of hearing that woman speak to her experience instead of shutting down in fear and unfair shame, my mom is alive today," said Lively, as quoted in a report by USA Today.

Ryan Reynolds, Lively's husband, also joined her at the event and posed with her for pictures on the red carpet.

He was mentioned when she thanked "every man, including my sweet husband, who are kind and good when no one is watching" at the end of her speech.

After making her toast, the evening's last speech, Blake Lively was given a standing ovation.

FAQs

Did Blake Lively specifically mention Justin Baldoni in her speech?
Blake Lively did not mention Justin Baldoni, but she alluded to her ongoing legal battle while discussing trauma and influence.

Who accompanied Blake Lively to the Time100 Gala?
Blake was supported by her mother, a violence survivor, and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, whom she thanked warmly during her speech.