Blake Lively's legal team claims a significant financial hit, alleging a $64 million loss in potential income due to a purported "smear campaign" orchestrated by her 'It Ends With Us' co-star, Justin Baldoni. This assertion comes as the legal dispute between the two actors intensifies, with a jury trial anticipated.
The core of Lively's claim centers on Baldoni's alleged use of retaliatory phrases—specifically "tone deaf," "bully," and "mean girl"—during a period of intense online discourse. Her attorneys contend these terms generated over 176 million impressions, translating to an estimated financial damage between $36.5 million and $40.5 million. Beyond this specific campaign damage, Lively asserts broader career opportunity losses stemming from the conflict, impacting her professional prospects and brand value.
While a judge previously dismissed 10 of Lively's 13 claims against Baldoni, including allegations of sexual harassment, the court acknowledged "some direct evidence that the plan to destroy Lively and her career was put into action." This finding allows the case to proceed to a jury, which will grapple with the contentious issue of whether the online backlash against Lively was organic or manipulated.
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The legal entanglement, which reportedly began during and after the production of the 2024 romance drama 'It Ends With Us,' has drawn considerable attention within the industry. Lively's suit initially detailed accusations of sexual harassment and an unsafe working environment, claims Baldoni's team has denied, characterizing Lively's actions with terms like "retaliatory phrases."
The dispute has also drawn in a wider circle of industry figures. Baldoni's legal team had previously sought to subpoena Taylor Swift, citing an alleged attempt by Lively to leverage her friendship with the singer for creative control. Swift's representative pushed back against this move. Additionally, Lively has named Baldoni's collaborators, including Wayfarer Studios and its executives, and his public relations personnel, in her ongoing legal action. Her husband, Ryan Reynolds, along with other notable individuals like Hugh Jackman and Emily Blunt, have also been named in legal documents, though the specifics of their involvement remain under scrutiny. Lively is also suing Baldoni's publicity team for their alleged role in the campaign.
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