Blake Lively is choosing family over the spotlight as she marks a major milestone.
The actress celebrated her 38th birthday on Sunday, August 25, spending the day surrounded by her husband Ryan Reynolds and their four children, according to exclusive sources.
“She’s been having a great summer, mostly focused on family time,” an insider tells PEOPLE. Lively and Reynolds, who share daughters James, Inez and Betty, along with their youngest son Olin, made the most of the summer break with family travel before school resumes. “She was looking forward to some quiet time with her family. Spending time with them really helps her unwind,” the source added.
This year’s birthday comes during a significant chapter in Lively’s life, as she continues to navigate a legal battle with her It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni. In December 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation, allegations he has denied. The trial is scheduled to begin in March 2026.
Despite the ongoing case, Lively has continued to make professional moves. Just days before her birthday, Lionsgate announced that she will star in and produce the action rom-com The Survival List. It marks her first new project since taking legal action against Baldoni, showing that the actress is pushing forward with both her career and her personal life.
Lively has been candid about the challenges of the past year. In June, she addressed her followers on Instagram Stories, reflecting on the toll of her ongoing legal fight. “Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us,” she wrote, adding that she felt “more resolved than ever” to stand up for women’s voices and safety.
Her husband Ryan Reynolds has remained a strong source of support through the highs and lows. Another insider said, “She’s grateful for Ryan’s support over the past year, and her birthday celebration was all about enjoying time with her loved ones.”
Meanwhile, Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman told TMZ in June that his client is “waiting for his day in court” to share his side of the story, emphasizing Baldoni’s desire to be vindicated.
While Lively herself acknowledged on Late Night with Seth Meyers in May that she cannot share many details about the case, she did admit that the past year has been one of “the highest highs and the lowest lows” of her life.
For now, however, the actress is soaking in her time with family, finding balance in love, support, and quiet moments away from the spotlight.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
