Blake Lively Honors Her Mother As A “Survivor Of The Worst Crime,” Says She “Never Got Justice”

April 25, 2025: Blake Lively, in the midst of an ongoing legal battle with her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, made a rare public appearance with her husband, Ryan Reynolds, at a recent event. The actress, who has been making headlines for both her personal and professional life, opened up about her mother’s survival story and the powerful influence it had on her own life.

Lively shared an intimate account of her mother, Willie Elaine McAlpin, describing her as the “survivor of the worst crime someone can commit against a woman.” In a poignant moment, she revealed that McAlpin never received justice for an attack she endured when she was a young mother of three children. The traumatic incident occurred years before Lively was born, and despite the horrors McAlpin faced, she did not receive the justice she deserved.

“My mom never got justice from her work acquaintance who attempted to take her life when she was the mother of three young kids years before I was born,” Lively shared with the audience, according to People.

However, the story took a miraculous turn when Lively’s mother credited a woman she heard on the radio for saving her life. The woman, speaking about her own harrowing escape from a similar attack, shared her story in vivid detail, offering a message of hope and survival. McAlpin, instead of succumbing to fear and shame, found the courage to escape, inspired by the woman’s words.

“The woman painfully and graphically shared how she escaped. And because of hearing that woman speak about her experience instead of shutting down in fear and unfair shame, my mom is alive today. She was saved by a woman whose name she’ll never know,” Lively explained.

In reflecting on the shared experiences of womanhood, Lively emphasized how women often carry the invisible burden of survival, passing down strength from one generation to the next. She poignantly stated that womanhood is a “pact” that requires women to teach others how to endure—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

“We don’t let our daughters know, but one day we break their hearts by letting them in on the secret that we kept from them as they pranced around in princess dresses that they are not and will likely never be safe at work, at home, in a parking lot in a medical office, online — in any space they inhabit physically, emotionally, professionally,” she said.

Lively also described the “superpower of female triumph” as an essential human right, underscoring the strength that women possess to endure pain and overcome unimaginable obstacles.

“Never underestimate a woman’s ability to endure pain,” she asserted.

In addition to her heartfelt words about womanhood, Blake Lively stunned in a strapless fuchsia gown, completing her elegant look with long, flowing waves and green statement earrings. Her husband, Ryan Reynolds, looked dashing by her side in a classic black suit and bowtie.

Blake’s appearance also marked her recognition as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025, a distinction she received at the gala event. During her speech, Lively acknowledged the honor of being named among the world’s most influential individuals, reflecting on how “surreal and deeply significant” it felt to be recognized in a time when “anger” seems to dominate public discourse.

“In a time where the most valuable currency seems to be anger, it feels like an act of defiance to commune and celebrate all the good that is alive in the world,” Lively said.

She also emphasized the responsibility that comes with being called “influential” and the importance of standing up for what truly matters.

“How we use that matters. Who and what we stand up for, and what we stay silent about, what we monetize versus what we actually live, matters,” she stated.

While much of Lively’s speech focused on her sense of purpose and her efforts to use her platform responsibly, she also touched on a more personal matter—her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni. In December 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign aimed at silencing her. Baldoni, in turn, has countersued for defamation, claiming that Lively’s accusations are false. A trial is set to take place in March 2026.

“I have so much to say about the last two years of my life, but tonight is not the forum,” Lively said, choosing instead to focus on the “feeling of being a woman who has a voice today.”

As Lively continues to navigate the complexities of her legal situation, she remains resolute in her desire to be a force for good and a voice for women everywhere. Her words at the event were a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience that define womanhood.