The legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken a new turn, intensifying the controversy surrounding their film It Ends With Us. Lively has accused her co-star and director, Baldoni, of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her during and after the film’s production.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
In December 2024, Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging that Baldoni created a hostile work environment through inappropriate comments and behavior. She claimed that Baldoni improvised intimate scenes without consent and retaliated professionally when she raised concerns.
Subsequently, Lively filed a federal lawsuit against Baldoni, his studio Wayfarer, and associated publicists, accusing them of sexual harassment, retaliation, and defamation. She alleged that Baldoni and his team launched a coordinated effort to damage her reputation through media manipulation.
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Baldoni’s Response and Countersuit
In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, alleging defamation, civil extortion, and invasion of privacy. He claimed that Lively attempted to gain creative control over the film by threatening to make false harassment allegations.
Baldoni also filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for publishing an exposé that supported Lively’s claims. He denied all allegations and accused Lively of undermining his reputation and career.
Recent Developments
In June 2025, Lively made a strategic legal move by dropping her claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. This decision came after Baldoni’s legal team requested access to her medical and mental health records to substantiate her allegations. However, Judge Lewis Liman denied both Lively’s request for dismissal without prejudice and Baldoni’s motion to compel the release of her records.
Lively’s legal team stated that the withdrawal aimed to streamline the case and focus on the more substantial claims of sexual harassment and retaliation. Despite dropping certain allegations, Lively maintains her claims of emotional distress and seeks significant compensatory damages.
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Impact on Personal Relationships
The legal feud has reportedly strained Lively’s friendship with Taylor Swift. Baldoni had briefly subpoenaed Swift, alleging her involvement in the conflict, but later dropped the subpoena. Sources indicate that while Lively and Swift are working towards rebuilding their friendship, they are not as close as before.
Industry Reactions
The controversy has garnered significant attention in Hollywood. Fourteen women’s rights organizations have co-signed an amicus curiae brief supporting Lively’s lawsuit, emphasizing the importance of addressing workplace harassment in the film industry.
Looking Ahead
The combined trial for the lawsuits filed by Lively and Baldoni is scheduled for March 2026. As both parties prepare for the courtroom battle, the case continues to spark discussions about power dynamics, workplace harassment, and the challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry.
Note: This article is based on publicly available information and aims to provide an overview of the ongoing legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.