Published August 28, 2026
Blake Lively is not exactly celebrating her latest legal payout.
The Gossip Girl actress reportedly received about $407,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs after seeking nearly $8 million – and according to insiders, the ruling has left her frustrated rather than ready to close the chapter.
“Blake is angry, frustrated and absolutely convinced she deserved more,” a Hollywood source told Rob Shutter.
“She thought she could appeal, keep fighting and eventually get the massive victory she wanted. She still doesn’t understand that sometimes the smartest move is to stop.”
Lively had requested nearly $7.5 million in legal fees, along with more than $500,000 in costs. The judge ultimately awarded $363,245.40 in fees and $44,206.35 in costs.
Now, sources claim even her husband, Ryan Reynolds, is encouraging her to let the matter go.
“Ryan has been incredibly supportive, but even he’s telling her: enough,” said the source. “He wants their lives back. He understands that continuing to fight every battle can become its own defeat. Blake still believes walking away means losing.”
The decision reportedly stings because Lively was hoping for a much larger figure.
“She wanted millions because she wanted a number that screamed vindication,” the insider explained. “Instead, she got a fraction of what she demanded, and she’s humiliated.”
And if anyone was expecting the actress to suddenly embrace the power of letting go, insiders say… not so fast.
“Everyone around Blake sees the lesson except Blake,” the source added.
“She remains convinced the problem is the outcome — not her expectations. That’s why moving on is proving so difficult.”
For now, the legal drama may be winding down – but apparently, Lively is not ready to call it a day just yet.