Blake Lively, the effervescent actress and fashion icon known for her roles in Gossip Girl and A Simple Favor, recently made headlines not just for her triumphant return to the Saturday Night Live stage for its star-studded 50th-anniversary special, but for the vulnerability she displayed in navigating the spotlight during a tumultuous chapter of her personal life. In a candid post-event interview, Lively revealed she was “nervous” to step back into the public eye amid an ongoing legal battle but ultimately found joy in reuniting with peers and celebrating the iconic sketch show’s legacy. “It felt like coming home,” she said. “The energy in that room—the love, the laughter—it reminded me why I fell in love with this industry in the first place.”
The legal dispute in question, details of which remain private at Lively’s request, has reportedly weighed heavily on the star over the past year. Friends close to the actress describe it as a “stressful and draining” experience that led her to scale back public appearances and social media activity. Yet her decision to participate in the SNL 50th special—a glittering reunion of comedy legends and Hollywood A-listers—marked a defiant reclamation of her passion for performance, even as she balanced personal challenges behind the scenes.
A Triumphant Return to Studio 8H
Lively’s history with SNL stretches back to her 2010 hosting debut, where her comedic chops and fearless physical humor (including a now-legendary Trouble with the Curve sketch parodying baseball wives) earned rave reviews. Her return for the 50th-anniversary special on February 24, 2024, saw her reunite with former co-stars like Andy Samberg and Kristen Wiig, as well as collaborate with newcomers Chloe Fineman and Bowen Yang.
The evening’s standout moment came during a Gossip Girl reunion sketch, where Lively reprised her role as Serena van der Woodsen alongside Leighton Meester’s Blair Waldorf. The bit, which humorously reimagined the Upper East Side duo as middle-aged moms navigating PTA politics, culminated in a meta-joke about Lively’s real-life hiatus. “Serena’s been off ‘finding herself’ in Bali,” Lively deadpanned, “which is code for ‘avoiding subpoenas.’” The line, improvised in rehearsal, drew roaring applause from the audience and became an instant viral clip.
“Blake’s always had this gift for turning vulnerability into comedy,” said SNL creator Lorne Michaels. “She walked into a high-pressure situation and made it look effortless. That’s the mark of a true pro.”
Behind the Scenes: Anxiety and Resilience
Despite the onstage levity, Lively admitted the lead-up to the event was fraught with anxiety. “I hadn’t done live comedy in years, and the legal stuff… it’s been a lot,” she shared. “I kept thinking, ‘Can I still do this? Will people even want me here?’”
Sources close to the star reveal that the legal battle—a contractual dispute tied to a now-defunct lifestyle brand she launched in 2018—has been a source of significant stress. While Lively has not publicly detailed the case, insiders describe it as a “complicated, drawn-out process” that has required frequent court appearances and mediation sessions. “It’s been emotionally exhausting,” said a friend. “Blake’s someone who prides herself on integrity, so having her business acumen questioned has been tough.”
Yet Lively found solace in the collaborative spirit of SNL. During rehearsals, she leaned on longtime friend and SNL alum Tina Fey, who offered advice on balancing personal struggles with professional demands. “Tina told me, ‘Comedy isn’t an escape from life—it’s a weapon against it,’” Lively recalled. “That reframed everything for me. Instead of hiding from the stress, I could channel it into the work.”
The Sketch That Stole the Show
The Gossip Girl reunion wasn’t the only highlight. Lively also starred in a pre-taped parody of The Real Housewives of Studio 8H, lampooning the drama of the SNL greenroom over the decades. The sketch featured cameos from Maya Rudolph as a diva-ish Beyoncé impersonator and Will Ferrell as a clueless network exec, but it was Lively’s turn as a hyper-competitive “glue gun queen” crafting absurd props that showcased her improvisational brilliance.
“Blake was cracking us up all week,” said Yang, who played her overworked assistant in the bit. “She’d ad-lib lines like, ‘This hot glue gun is my emotional support animal,’ and we’d just lose it. She’s a natural.”
The sketch’s climax saw Lively’s character accidentally glue herself to a foamcore Statue of Liberty, a mishap that required the crew to literally carry her offstage. “That was 100% Blake’s idea,” revealed director Liz Patrick. “She wanted to push the physical comedy, and it paid off. The audience ate it up.”
Fan Reactions: A Resurgence of Love
Social media erupted following Lively’s appearance, with fans praising her resilience and comedic timing. Hashtags like #BlakeBack and #SerenaForever trended for days, while memes of her glue-gun mishap flooded TikTok. Many viewers also noted the poignancy of her return amid personal struggles.
“The way Blake turned her anxiety into art… iconic,” tweeted one fan. “She’s the queen of bouncing back.”
Even critics, often skeptical of Hollywood “comeback” narratives, applauded her performance. Variety called her “a masterclass in comedic grace under fire,” while The Hollywood Reporter noted, “Lively didn’t just return to SNL—she reclaimed her throne.”
A Night of Healing
For Lively, the event was more than a career milestone—it was a therapeutic experience. “Being surrounded by so many people who’ve known me for years, who’ve seen me at my highest and lowest… it was healing,” she said. “I walked in feeling like I had to prove myself, and I walked out remembering that I’m part of a community that lifts each other up.”
She also credited husband Ryan Reynolds, who attended the event with their four children, for his unwavering support. “Ryan’s my rock,” she said. “He’s the one who told me, ‘You’ve got this. And if you don’t, we’ll fake it till we make it.’”
What’s Next for Lively?
Buoyed by the SNL success, Lively is now eyeing a return to acting after a two-year hiatus. She’s attached to star in Phantom, a thriller directed by David Fincher, and is developing a comedy series inspired by her experiences as a mother of four.
As for the legal battle, she remains tight-lipped but optimistic. “Life throws curveballs, but I’ve learned to swing harder,” she said. “And maybe laugh while doing it.”
Conclusion: Laughter as Liberation
Blake Lively’s SNL 50th appearance was more than a comedic triumph—it was a testament to the power of laughter as a tool for resilience. In confronting her nerves and personal struggles head-on, she reminded audiences that even in the face of adversity, joy can be an act of defiance.
As she left Rockefeller Center that night, trophy in hand (a makeshift glue-gun award crafted by the cast), Lively paused to take in the cheering crowd. “For the first time in a long time, I felt light,” she reflected. “Like I could breathe again. And that’s the magic of SNL—it doesn’t just make you laugh. It makes you feel alive.”
In a world that often demands perfection, Blake Lively’s messy, glorious return to Studio 8H offered a refreshing truth: Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is show up—glue gun and all—and let the world see you shine.