Justin Baldoni’s Friend Critiques Blake Lively’s ‘Contrived’ Met Gala Appearance After Settlement
Just hours after the announcement of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal settlement, Lively made a striking appearance at the 2026 Met Gala in New York City. Her presence quickly sparked discussions online, prompting criticism from one of Baldoni’s friends regarding the timing of her appearance.
Actor Adam Mondschein, who played Dr. Dunbar in It Ends With Us, shared his thoughts with Page Six, expressing that Lively’s red carpet moment seemed more like a calculated public relations effort than a sincere display.
“If you could hear eyes roll,” Mondschein remarked when asked about Lively attending the gala so soon after the settlement news broke.
He suggested that her appearance was intended to convey that everything was back to normal following months of public turmoil between the two stars.
“I really do feel sorry for her, because I see those things as kind of desperate PR attempts to try to prove that everything is, I guess, their version of normal,” he stated. “I don’t know, it just feels contrived. Orchestrated. It feels hollow.”
Mondschein further likened the situation to extravagant holiday displays that appear impressive but lack substance.
“Growing up in New York City … I loved going to the city and seeing the Macy’s Day window displays for Christmas,” he explained to Page Six. “The presents that they had there were so shiny and wrapped and it was awesome. And there’s nothing in them.”
He added, “To me, that’s how it feels. It feels very hollow. It feels very empty.”
While Lively was making headlines at the gala, Mondschein noted that Baldoni was spending the evening quietly with family and friends, as he has also been recovering from a cold.
Mondschein became emotional discussing the public scrutiny Baldoni has faced since the legal issues arose in late 2024. Lively had previously accused her It Ends With Us co-star and director of sexual harassment and fostering a toxic work environment, allegations Baldoni has denied.
“He’s a real person,” Mondschein said. “He’s out here experiencing all of this chaos like a human person would. And it’s insurmountable.”
He defended Baldoni’s character, suggesting that his emotional openness is often misunderstood.
“He wears his heart on his sleeve, and he’s legit. He’s the real deal,” Mondschein told Page Six. “That’s hard for people because it can come across cheesy at worst, but it’s hard in this industry for people to believe that someone has integrity, that someone really does care.”
Mondschein also commended Baldoni’s efforts beyond acting and directing, highlighting projects like the Man Enough podcast and the documentary series My Last Days.
“He uses whatever modicum of recognizability he has for good,” he said. “He really cares.”
Lively and Baldoni reached a settlement on May 4 after weeks of private negotiations. Sources revealed that the agreement was reached at the last minute to avoid a lengthy public trial.
“They finally came to an agreement today. It was a last-minute deal,” one insider reportedly said. “The magistrate and the judge wanted to avoid this going to trial as it was going to be a long, drawn-out case, so they were encouraged to reach an agreement.”
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