Blake Lively has secured a spot on TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025, earning recognition in the “Titans” category alongside notable figures like Serena Williams, Mark Zuckerberg, Joe Rogan, and Simone Biles.
The 37-year-old actress’s inclusion comes in the wake of legal controversies and media scrutiny surrounding her clash with It Ends with Us director Justin Baldoni and accusations from storyboard artist Talia Spencer. Despite the backlash, Lively chose not to engage in the public drama, instead maintaining a composed and dignified silence.
Her recognition by TIME is widely seen as a testament to her resilience and ability to rise above controversy, solidifying her impact far beyond the film industry.
One of the most moving tributes in the issue came from civil rights icon Sherrilyn Ifill, who praised Lively not for her celebrity, but for her commitment to social causes. Ifill pointed to the $1 million donation Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds made to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in 2019—an effort many saw as a sincere step toward accountability after their highly criticized wedding on a former plantation.
“The Blake Lively I know is a philanthropist and a student of our country’s most intractable problems,” Ifill wrote, spotlighting the actress’s dedication to justice and change.
Reflecting on the honor, Lively took to Instagram Stories to share her gratitude. “It’s an honour to be acknowledged on the @Time100 list for 2025,” she wrote. “It’s a fortunate thing when it should be a given. So thanks to Time and all who support the brave, even when it’s scary.” Her post underscored her commitment to using her platform to uplift others and inspire meaningful progress.
TIME’s 2025 list featured a wide range of global changemakers. In the “Icons” category, Demi Moore, Adrien Brody, and Hiroyuki Sanada were honored, while “Innovators” included Snoop Dogg and director Jon M. Chu. The “Artists” section highlighted the talents of Scarlett Johansson, Ed Sheeran, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Diego Luna, and Danielle Deadwyler.
Cover stars for this year’s edition included Snoop Dogg, Serena Williams, Ed Sheeran, Demi Moore, and DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis.
