In a significant ruling, a New York judge has dismissed Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively, marking a pivotal moment in an ongoing legal battle between the two actors. Both starred in the 2024 film “It Ends With Us,” and tensions between them have escalated since Lively filed her original complaint accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, which set off a complex series of legal repercussions.
The ruling came from Judge Lewis Liman, who dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit that included accusations of extortion, defamation, and other serious allegations. The legal strife began when Lively filed her lawsuit in December 2024 against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios. In her complaint, she claimed to have faced sexual harassment on the set of their film and alleged that Baldoni retaliated against her for voicing those concerns. This accusation of retaliation set the stage for a courtroom confrontation that would unravel several layers of claims and counterclaims.
Lively’s assertions were bolstered by statements she made in a New York Times article in which she detailed her experiences and what she felt was a concerted effort by Baldoni to undermine her credibility and career. Following this, Baldoni filed his own lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, contending that the allegations were part of a malicious campaign aimed at damaging his professional reputation.
In his judgment, Judge Liman critically evaluated Baldoni’s claims. He noted that Baldoni asserted Lively had “stolen the film” by threatening to not participate in its promotion unless demands were met. However, the judge clarified that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios had not convincingly demonstrated that Lively’s actions constituted unlawful extortion, rather than acceptable renegotiation of working terms. Furthermore, Judge Liman highlighted the necessity of proving actual malice for defamation claims, which Baldoni failed to establish against the New York Times, leading to the dismissal of that aspect of his suit which sought $250 million in damages.
In his opinion, Judge Liman mentioned that the evidence presented did not support the idea that the New York Times acted with bad faith when reporting Lively’s side of the story. The judge pointed out that the newspaper had no clear motive to side with Lively’s perspective over Baldoni’s.
In a statement following the ruling, lawyers representing Lively hailed the decision as a comprehensive victory, arguing it vindicated her character and that of others involved in Baldoni’s broadened legal accusations. They described Baldoni’s massive lawsuit as a misguided attempt to suppress true allegations, claiming the court recognized it as a “sham.”
The ruling allows Baldoni the opportunity to amend and refile certain allegations, specifically those concerning contract interference, by a stipulated date of June 23. This aspect of the case remains active despite the broader dismissal of his accusations against Lively and the accompanying defendants.
Interestingly, just one week prior to this significant legal decision, Lively had decided to withdraw two claims from her original lawsuit against Baldoni, which were related to emotional distress. This perhaps indicates strategic adjustments in her legal approach as she navigates the tumultuous waters of this high-profile case.
“It Ends With Us,” the film that catalyzed these legal battles, is based on the best-selling novel by author Colleen Hoover. It tells the story of Lily Bloom, portrayed by Lively, and addresses deeply impactful themes such as domestic abuse, drawing interest from audiences and critics alike. The developments surrounding this case and the dynamics between its leads provide a powerful narrative about the intersection of personal experiences and professional entanglements in the entertainment industry. As the case progresses, the storyline continues to captivate public attention, highlighting the complexities that arise when personal and professional lives collide in such a public discourse.