Ryan Reynolds Calls Out ‘Different Set of Standards’ for Women in First Public Appearance Amid Lively-Baldoni Legal Battle at National Board of Review Gala

The National Board of Review Awards gala, held Tuesday night at Manhattan’s Cipriani 42nd St., gathered the talents behind some of the most talked-about films of 2024.

Ryan Reynolds stepped out to present the best film award to “Wicked” at the star-studded gala, marking his first public outing since his wife, Blake Lively, filed a formal complaint against her “It Ends With Us” co-star and director, Justin Baldoni.

“‘Wicked’ is indeed wicked. It dares to center two powerful women. It examines a nuanced, complex relationship which has resonated with people for over two decades on stage,” Reynolds said on stage. “Stories about women seem to be held to a different set of standards, and that is to say that they’re often held to the standard women are held to in life. You must be perfect. You must hide your strength. You must shape-shift or placate. But Donna Langley and Universal, they know where and with whom to place their trust, and it paid off in this film.”

With his trademark charm and wit, Reynolds proceeded to playfully roast “Wicked” star Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero in the musical film.

“I have one note. I think we can all agree that Jonathan Bailey is objectively perfect, perhaps too perfect. Personally, I would have preferred fewer scenes featuring Mr. Bailey,” Reynolds joked. “Being good is great, but being great is bad. You can’t just go around indiscriminately spraying charisma all over an enraptured audience. It might feel nice in the moment, but it could easily destabilize the entire industry.”

Reynolds added, “In short, the H.L.M.S., or Hollywood Leading Man Society, simply cannot sustain the standard or performance this high, and it is in our collective best interest that Jonathan Bailey tone it the fuck down. You’re making us look terrible, I cannot work harder than I already work — and plastic surgery frightens me, Johnny. May I call you Johnny, if you’re here? I don’t give a shit. Let’s just pump the talent breaks or get out of fuck town, OK?”

Although Bailey wasn’t in attendance to hear Reynold’s warning, members of the “Wicked” team, including Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater and director Jon M. Chu, were present to accept the best film accolade.

Another highlight of the evening came as “Babygirl” star Nicole Kidman raised a glass of milk to toast “all of the babygirls in the room” while accepting the award for best actress. She received rapturous applause as she downed the beverage, a nod to a memorable scene from the A24 erotic thriller, before blowing a kiss to the crowd.

Meanwhile, “A Real Pain” filmmaker and star Jesse Eisenberg presented the best supporting actor award to his co-star Kieran Culkin, who awkwardly began his acceptance speech by figuring out where to put his gum until Eisenberg volunteered to hold it for him. “That’s a director right there,” Culkin quipped as he handed the chewed piece of gum to Eisenberg.

Other honorees at the gala, hosted again by journalist Willie Geist, included Erivo and Grande, saluted as a duo with the NBR Spotlight Award; “Anora” star Mikey Madison for breakthrough performance; Daniel Craig for best actor (“Queer”); Chu for best director (“Wicked”); Elle Fanning for best supporting actress (“A Complete Unknown”); Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini and John Lithgow for best ensemble (“Conclave”); Mike Leigh for best original screenplay (“Hard Truths”); Jarin Blaschke for outstanding achievement in cinematography (“Nosferatu”); India Donaldson for best directorial debut (“Good One”); and Clint Bent and Greg Kwedar for best adapted screenplay (“Sing Sing”).

See photos from the National Board of Review Awards gala below.