Ryan Reynolds takes swipe at Justin Baldoni in NYC gala speech: 'Women are held to a different standard'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Ryan Reynolds appeared to take a dig at Justin Baldoni during his speech at the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala in New York City on Tuesday, January 7, amid his wife Blake Lively's ongoing legal dispute.
While presenting 'Wicked' with the Best Film of the Year Award, the 48-year-old 'Deadpool' actor touched on how "women are held to a different standard" and how they must "hide their strength" in order to succeed, as per Daily Mail.
Ryan Reynolds' National Board of Review Awards Gala speech appears to be a subtle jab at Justin Baldoni
"Wicked is indeed wicked, It dares to center on two powerful women," Ryan Reynolds told the audience as he took the stage at Manhattan's Cipriani 42nd Street.
"It examines a nuanced, complex relationship which has resonated with people for over two decades on stage," he added.
The father of four continued, "Stories about women seem to be held to a different set of standards, and that is to say that they're often held to the standards women are held to in life. You must be perfect. You must must hide your strength. You must shape-shift or placate."
"But Donna Langley and Universal, they know where and with whom to place their trust, and it paid off in this film," Reynolds noted.
The 'Free Guy' actor's remarks appeared to be directed at Baldoni against whom his wife, Lively, has filed a lawsuit, accusing him of harassment and creating a toxic work environment.
The National Board of Review Awards Gala speech comes amid rising speculations that Reynolds used his influence to introduce the character, "Nicepool," into his record-breaking film 'Deadpool & Wolverine' as a thinly-veiled jab at Baldoni.
Blake Lively claims Justin Baldoni launched a 'social manipulation' campaign against her
In her filing, Blake Lively accused Justin Baldoni of engaging in "invasive, unwelcome, and unprofessional" behavior with her and other cast and staff members on the set of 'It Ends with Us'.
The actress further asserted that Baldoni had started a "social manipulation" campaign against her in an attempt to "destroy" her reputation.
According to TMZ, the lawsuit made reference to particular requests made by the actress during the filming process, which were granted by Sony Pictures.
"I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted," Lively told The New York Times the day after she filed the case.
Baldoni has refuted every allegation made against him in Lively's lawsuit. A former publicist's lawsuit and Baldoni's dismissal from WME, the agency that also represents Lively and Reynolds, are just two of the professional repercussions that have followed the accusation.
The 'Jane the Virgin' actor filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times over an article that reported on Lively's complaint.
In the suit, Baldoni claimed that Reynolds yelled at him during the crucial production meeting in the couple's residence in New York. He said he had "never been spoken to like that in his life" and described the interaction as "traumatic."
Reynolds' close friend refuted this allegation, telling TMZ that although Reynolds was "angry and stern," his actions could not be classified as yelling.
