Justin Baldoni stepped into the public eye Tuesday night, sitting in the audience at “Dancing With the Stars” with his wife and children. Baldoni attended the ABC show’s Super Bowl Night episode with his wife, Emily, and their two daughters. Cameras panned to the family after Maura Higgins and pro Mark Ballas performed the opening dance. Sports commentator Joe Buck served as guest judge. Baldoni was seen smiling and applauding the performances.
His seat had a personal explanation. Page Six reported that the family came as guests of co-host Julianne Hough, a longtime friend. The two met while working on “My Last Days,” the docuseries Baldoni directed. Days earlier, the Baldonis spent an afternoon at Universal Studios Hollywood, according to Extra.
The outing matters because Baldoni has stayed out of view since his dispute with “It Ends With Us” co-star Blake Lively. Lively sued in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and a smear campaign against her. Baldoni denied the claims and filed a countersuit, which a judge dismissed in June 2025. The two sides settled about two weeks before trial, saying they hoped for closure and a respectful environment online.
Silence defined much of that stretch. In a July Instagram video with his wife, Baldoni explained why. “We have not spoken publicly for the better part of the last two years,” he said. He said the couple wanted to let the courts run their course rather than feed the noise. The couple did not name Lively in that statement.
Public sightings since the settlement have been scarce. One came in early May, when he was spotted at a Nashville market. The “Dancing With the Stars” taping placed him in front of a live audience and television cameras for the first time in months, though as a guest rather than a participant. jang
Baldoni has not commented on the appearance. Neither he nor Hough has publicly addressed the invitation beyond the account from production insiders.
The attention shows how closely the entertainment press follows each move he makes. A night in a ballroom seat, sandwiched between a family outing and a friend’s invitation, drew coverage across entertainment outlets within hours. Lively has not publicly responded to his return to public view.
