A federal judge has slashed the bulk of Blake Lively's lawsuit against her "It Ends With Us" co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. Of the 13 claims initially filed, Judge Lewis Liman has tossed out 10, including allegations of sexual harassment, conspiracy, and defamation. The decision leaves Lively's case with a significantly narrowed focus.
The remaining claims, scheduled for a trial starting May 18, center on allegations that Baldoni orchestrated a retaliatory campaign to disseminate and amplify negative stories about Lively online. This campaign is alleged to have involved Lively's own representation, including It Ends With Us Movie LLC, Baldoni's production company Wayfarer Studios, and a PR firm, The Agency Group PR LLC.
Sexual Harassment Allegations Discarded
The judge's ruling specifically addressed Lively's claims of sexual harassment. According to the court's analysis, these allegations did not meet certain legal prerequisites, partly due to jurisdictional issues. Judge Liman wrote that while Lively invoked California law, the alleged misconduct did not demonstrably occur within the state. This reasoning contributed to the dismissal of these particular charges. Two prior claims of emotional distress, previously withdrawn by Lively in June, were also dismissed.
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Background: A Dispute Unfolds
The legal entanglement between Lively and Baldoni stems from their work on the film "It Ends With Us." Lively's initial complaint, filed in December, detailed allegations of sexual harassment and a subsequent "smear campaign" aimed at damaging her public image. In response to Lively's allegations, Baldoni, along with entities like Wayfarer Studios, filed their own lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, and The New York Times, alleging civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. The New York Times was specifically targeted for an article reporting on Lively's claims.
"I’m more resolved than ever to continue to stand for every woman’s right to have a voice in protecting themselves, including their safety, their integrity, their dignity and their story." - Blake Lively (Statement via Instagram Story, June 2025)
Baldoni's lawsuit against the newspaper, seeking $250 million, claimed the reporting was "rife with inaccuracies, misrepresentations, and omissions" and relied on Lively's "self-serving narrative." Attorneys for Baldoni indicated an intent to file an amended claim following the dismissal of some of Lively's allegations. The case has, in its unfolding, brought to light private communications between Lively and other notable figures, including Taylor Swift and Ben Affleck.
Read More: Blake Lively Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni: Most Claims Dismissed, Retaliation Trial Set for May 18
