Blake Lively’s surprise return to the 2026 Met Gala was more than just a fashion moment, according to her attorney, who says the appearance was an intentional statement following the actress’ legal settlement with Justin Baldoni.

In an interview with People, attorney Sigrid McCawley described Lively’s decision to attend the gala as “a strategic move,” framing it as a sign that the actress was refusing to retreat from public life after months of intense scrutiny surrounding the It Ends with Us legal battle.

Lively appeared at the event just hours after news broke that she and Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer, had reached a settlement in their long-running dispute tied to the film. The actress wore an archival Atelier Versace gown with a dramatic 13-foot train, marking her first Met Gala appearance since 2022.

McCawley suggested the appearance was about “standing up and not being silenced,” positioning the red carpet moment as both, a public comeback and an assertion of confidence amid the fallout from the lawsuit.