At the 2025 SXSW premiere of Another Simple Favor, director Paul Feig stood by Blake Lively amid the legal battle with Justin Baldoni. The director praised her intelligence and collaborative spirit. At the March 7 SXSW premiere of her new movie, Lively engaged with the public for the first time to promote her sequel movie A Simple Favor.
As Lively continues to navigate a highly publicized legal dispute, Feig’s comments stand in as strong support among other high-profile figures in Lively’s favor. Notably, her close friend Taylor Swift has yet to make a public statement regarding the ongoing controversy involving Lively’s co-star and director, Justin Baldoni.
Another Simple Favor director Paul Feig praised Blake Lively at the SXSW premiere
Blake Lively‘s involvement in the sequel to Another Simple Favor comes amid a tumultuous period in her career, with a highly publicized legal battle against It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni. The allegations, which first surfaced in December 2024, involve serious claims of s**ual harassment and defamation.
#AnotherSimpleFavor director Paul Feig praises Blake Lively: “She’s the most amazing collaborator, so smart.” pic.twitter.com/7AHDPU1V5Z
— Variety (@Variety) March 7, 2025
Lively’s upcoming movie, Another Simple Favor‘s director, Paul Feig ,didn’t hesitate to speak out in favor of Lively at the SXSW premiere. In a candid interview with Variety, when asked about why he is standing up for her and being her voice in public, he revealed his admiration for her creative input. The director replied,
Because she is amazing. That’s my second movie with Blake. I love working with her. She’s the most amazing collaborator, so smart.
Feig went on to describe Lively and Anna Kendrick as the two most famous actors he’s worked with who are deeply involved in the creative process of the movie. “Every movie star has opinions about what they’re doing; I have now worked with one who doesn’t wanna get in there and work on stuff and make it better, and that’s our process… It’s the only way to work.”
He explained that both the stars, like him, preferred to get in here and actively work and shape the movie, sharing opinions and helping to make it better. Feig also seems to shade Lively’s collaborative process with Baldoni, saying,
I am not like the guy who’s just like, ‘Just say the way we wrote it.’ No. I don’t think that’s the way to work.
Previously, the director also shut down rumors when it was believed that Lively refused to appear to promote his film. He wrote on Twitter, “Don’t believe anything you read on social media these days.” Feig’s public remarks stand out as a rare example of unwavering support for the actress.
Blake Lively’s close friend Taylor Swift is yet to make a public statement about the Lively Baldoni legal drama
As this high-profile case continues, Lively has remained relatively quiet, with few public statements regarding the situation. However, the silence of one high-profile friend of Lively’s is causing significant buzz—pop star Taylor Swift. Despite being close friends with Lively for nearly a decade, Swift has yet to issue any public support for her friend amid the legal drama. Swift could be called to testify for the lawsuit as she was dragged into the situation by Baldoni’s lawsuit.
Experts have weighed in on Swift’s silence, with PR consultant Adrienne Uthe telling Fox News Digital that it “speaks volumes.” Uthe explained that while it is understandable that Swift would want to distance herself from the messy situation, her silence could suggest an alignment with Hollywood’s “power players.” Uthe said.
People stay strategically quiet for many reasons, and sure, some stars just want to avoid the press— I respect that. But for someone as media-savvy as Taylor Swift to stay out of this? That speaks volumes. And frankly we all want to hear from her side.
Crisis communications expert Doug Eldridge offered further insight, explaining that Swift’s silence could be a calculated decision to protect “her own brand.” With her recent billion-dollar tour and increasing popularity, Swift needs to maintain a neutral stance to avoid alienating her fanbase, especially after her political views caused some backlash in 2024.
While Swift’s silence continues to raise questions, Feig’s support stands out as a big example of a Hollywood insider offering clear backing.
Another Simple Favor will premiere on Prime Video on May 1, 2025.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
