The Gossip Girl alum, walked the red carpet at the New York City event in a striking off-the-shoulder Zuhair Murad gown, accompanied by Ryan, and her mother, Elaine Lively.
Lively’s recognition comes on the heels of her being praised for her philanthropic work. Civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill, who contributed a tribute to the list, described her as “a student of our country’s most intractable problems” and highlighted the couple’s 2019 donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds. pic.twitter.com/S9PryFWKes
— Best of Blake Lively (@bofblakelively) April 25, 2025
However, not everyone agreed with the choice. Her inclusion drew sharp criticism online, largely due to the ongoing legal dispute with It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. Though the trial is not set to begin until March 2026, some internet users cited that just as Justin had to return some of his awards based on mere allegations by the actress, she should do the same.
Blake Lively, according to Time, is one of the most influential people of 2025. Because she gave money to the NAACP.
— Sher❤ (@TheFabBookLover) April 16, 2025
“Blake is a serious person. She’s a risk taker. And she’s committed to moving this country forward.”
Send help. I can’t breathe😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/iMQl7gMD28
One trolled her for the reason why she was being honoured, saying in a tweet, "Blake Lively, according to Time, is one of the most influential people of 2025. Because she gave money to the NAACP. 'Blake is a serious person. She’s a risk taker. And she’s committed to moving this country forward'."
"Blake Lively is not ‘influential’ – she’s a manipulative, conniving bully,” read one post on X. Another tweeted, “Only in Hollywood can being a liar land you on a ‘Most Influential’ list.”
Time mistakes "people in the news" for Influence. Just because someone is in the news does not mean they influencing others or that they are "important". Blake Lively, Amber Heard, etc.
— Albert Nonymous (@AlbertNonymous) April 23, 2025
Only in Hollywood can being a liar land you on a ‘Most Influential’ list. Blake Lively named one of TIME’s 100 while caught in a legal mess with Justin Baldoni. 'Risk taker' or just reckless? pic.twitter.com/jE0wjPKNqU
— AllAboutTRH (@AllAboutTRH) April 16, 2025
This is the most egregious PR stunt Blake Lively has ever done. It's so offensive I thought it was satire. TIME Magazine said f-ck it and named Blake Lively one of the most influential of 2025 in the “Titan” category as a CIVIL RIGHTS CHAMPION. Why? She and Ryan Reynolds donated… pic.twitter.com/7q00Synjzk
— Melanie King (@realmelanieking) April 16, 2025
Another said, "Can’t believe Time Magazine is honouring these scammers tonight… and we just found out about their fake lawsuit malfeasance—only narcissists like Blake Lively and Ryan would proudly show their faces like this."
Political commentator Megyn Kelly also took aim at Lively on the red carpet, telling Daily Mail, “It’s a ridiculous joke. She shouldn’t be here. She has no influence over anything.” Kelly went on to allege that Lively had “launched a fake MeToo allegation” against Baldoni, claiming many of the actress’s assertions have since “fallen apart.”
🚨 URGENT: Demand TIME Rescind Blake Lively’s 2025 TIME100 Most Influential People "Titan" Award - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/fQlKYICDcy via @Change
— The Spiritual Shift (@spiritualshift_) April 20, 2025
Justin Baldoni had his Vital Voices award taken away based solely on Blake Lively’s accusations—without supporting facts,… https://t.co/qXoJCxtglO pic.twitter.com/G7zioaov1f
Very good question! Blake Lively paid $ to get on the list of 100 so the integrity of Time is compromised at this time..
— Pinky’s Tea Party 💖 👑🫶💕 (@Ir10Reen) April 24, 2025
Just another pay to play….
Blake Lively falsely accused an innocent man of sexuaI harassment and STOLE his movie. Time is rewarding eviI.
— Risu (@conrayzo) April 25, 2025
“It’s a scandal,” Kelly said. “To try to ruin a man over absolutely nothing and then be honoured for it? It sends the wrong message.”
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