Ryan Reynolds made headlines during his first public appearance amid his wife Blake Lively’s ongoing legal case involving Justin Baldoni. The Deadpool & Wolverine star appeared at the National Board of Review Awards in New York City to present an award to the Wicked team, but his speech quickly became the center of attention.
Known for his sharp humor, Reynolds didn’t hold back during his address. While acknowledging actor Jonathan Bailey’s role in Jon M. Chu’s upcoming Wicked film, he made some surprisingly blunt remarks.
“I have one note. I think we can all agree that Jonathan Bailey is objectively perfect. Perhaps too perfect. Personally, I would’ve preferred fewer scenes featuring Mr. Bailey,” quipped Reynolds, adding a humorous edge to the evening.
He didn’t stop there. Reflecting on Bailey’s undeniable charisma, Reynolds joked about its potential impact on Hollywood. “Being good is great, but being great is bad. You can’t just go around indiscriminately spraying charisma all over an enraptured audience. It might feel nice at the moment, but it could easily destabilize the entire industry,” he added, earning laughs from the crowd, told The Wrap.
At 48, the Red Notice star remains a fan favorite for his quick wit and candid remarks. However, PEOPLE reported that Reynolds also took a moment to acknowledge the challenge Bailey’s perfection presents for other leading men in Hollywood.
The appearance marked a significant moment for Reynolds, as it was his first public outing since Blake Lively filed a complaint against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni. Lively has accused Baldoni of “sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns,” a case that has drawn widespread media attention.
Despite the ongoing personal challenges, Reynolds maintained his comedic flair during the event, though some critics suggest his humor might have been a little too pointed. Whether his remarks will have broader implications remains to be seen.
For now, Reynolds continues to walk the fine line between being Hollywood’s beloved comedian and an outspoken personality whose humor occasionally stirs the pot. As the Lively-Baldoni case unfolds, all eyes remain on the power couple and how they navigate these turbulent times.
