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Blake Lively has awkward interaction with Anna Kendrick

Published 19 hours ago on Apr 15, 2025

Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick were seen in what appeared to be an uncomfortable interaction during a photocall in London for their upcoming film, Another Simple Favor.

The event, held at the Corinthia Hotel, comes amid ongoing press turmoil and legal drama surrounding Lively, adding tension to the film’s promotional efforts.

The co-stars, both reprising their roles in the sequel to the 2018 hit A Simple Favor, posed alongside castmates Paul Feig, Laura Fischer, and Henry Golding in front of the iconic London Eye. However, body language between Blake and Anna hinted at strain, with the two rarely interacting directly during the photo session.

Blake, 37, opted for a chic black and gold ensemble, accessorized with a Chanel handbag and gold jewelry, while Anna, 39, wore a striking red vest-and-skirt combo with gold accents and glittery heels.

Rumors of friction between the actresses have intensified since the film's premiere at South by Southwest last month. That event was marred by controversy, including a protestor holding a “Justice for Justin Baldoni, Blake lied” sign and a visibly cold reunion between Blake and Anna.

Blake, who has been entangled in a high-profile legal battle with It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni, attempted to remain upbeat on social media, describing the SXSW premiere as feeling “like a rock concert.” However, online critics accused her of staging crowd interactions, including a now-viral moment where she took a selfie with Laurie Feig, the director’s wife, who appeared to pose as a fan.

Tensions between Lively and Kendrick reportedly escalated during filming and press planning. According to insiders, Kendrick is frustrated that the lawsuit involving Baldoni has overshadowed the film’s release. An awkward red carpet moment further fueled the rumors—when asked what it was like to work with Blake again, Anna responded cryptically, “Oh you know…”

At the London photocall, they avoided solo photos together, only appearing side by side when joined by the director. A clip shared by Variety showed Blake enthusiastically recounting filming in Capri, Italy, while Anna stood beside her with a downcast gaze.

Sources say Anna has grown increasingly uncomfortable being associated with Blake’s legal turmoil and is considering pulling back from joint promotional appearances. Although studio plans initially included joint press events, Kendrick is reportedly in last-minute talks to conduct separate interviews.

Complicating matters further are reports of a behind-the-scenes clash over top billing. In the original film, Anna was billed above Blake. But this time, Blake allegedly pushed for top billing, resulting in a compromise—staggered billing, giving both actresses equal prominence but on different sides of the poster.

As the promotional campaign continues, Blake remains embroiled in legal warfare with Justin Baldoni. Since December 2024, she has accused the filmmaker of sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign against her. Baldoni responded with a $400 million defamation lawsuit targeting Blake, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her longtime publicist Leslie Sloane. He has also filed a $250 million libel suit against The New York Times.

Blake’s legal team, in a statement to Us Weekly, accused Baldoni of attempting to dismantle California laws that protect sexual assault survivors from retaliatory lawsuits. “The chilling message scorched earth litigation sends to victims is stay silent or be destroyed,” her attorneys said.

Despite the turmoil, insiders reveal that Blake may be privately regretting the legal battle’s impact on her career and public image. Critics claim her focus on promoting her personal brands, rather than addressing the allegations directly, has fueled backlash and alienated parts of her fanbase.

As Another Simple Favor prepares for its May 1 debut on Prime Video, it remains unclear how the public will respond to the film amid the off-screen drama. Studio executives are now navigating a delicate balance between promoting the film and managing the reputational risks posed by its stars' personal conflicts.

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