Hollywood’s favorite couple, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, are usually all about the laughs and social media banter, especially when it comes to birthdays. But this year, things took a bit of a serious turn. Ryan, known for his hilarious birthday jabs at Blake, actually broke his long-standing tradition by not posting a quirky tribute for her 38th birthday on August 25th. What gives? Well, it seems there’s a bit more going on behind the scenes than just playful teasing.
Turns out, Blake’s birthday came amidst a pretty intense legal battle. She’s been embroiled in a lawsuit with her It Ends With Us director and co-star, Justin Baldoni, since December 2024. Lively accused him of sexual harassment and retaliation, claims which Baldoni denies. This whole ordeal is set to go to trial in March 2026, so it’s definitely not a small thing. No wonder Blake was reportedly focusing on “quiet time with family” for her birthday, as sources told People. It sounds like she really needed that support from Ryan and their four kids – James, Inez, Betty, and Olin.
Ryan’s silence on social media, while out of character, makes a lot of sense given the circumstances. It’s a tough time for the family, and sometimes, a little privacy is more valuable than a public joke. Blake herself has spoken out about the “pain of a retaliatory lawsuit,” emphasizing her resolve to stand up for women’s rights. It’s a serious situation, and it highlights that even Hollywood’s golden couples face real-world challenges. While we all love their playful antics, it’s clear their bond goes much deeper, especially when things get tough. For more details on Ryan’s broken tradition, check out Yahoo Entertainment. You can also find more about Blake’s birthday plans and legal battle on People and Page Six.