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Related: <\/span>Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively Were ‘Unknown’ to Judge Before Legal Battle<\/span> \n\t\t\tThe judge overseeing Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively\u2018s court case admitted he wasn\u2019t familiar with either of them before their messy legal battle. During an emergency hearing held Wednesday, July 16, Judge Lewis Liman stated that \u201ccelebrity is fleeting,\u201d per a report published by the Daily Mail. According to the outlet, the judge said he [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Keep scrolling for a full timeline of the legal battle.<\/p>\n The New York Times<\/em> reported on December 21, 2024, that Lively had filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department against Baldoni. The initial complaint included a litany of accusations about Baldoni\u2019s alleged onset conduct on It Ends With Us<\/em> and alleged smear campaign against Lively.<\/p>\n Lively claimed that a meeting was held to address \u201ca hostile work environment\u201d on It Ends With Us<\/em>, where her husband, Reynolds, was present. Lively recounted requesting \u201cno more showing nude videos or images of women to Blake, no more mention of Baldoni\u2019s alleged previous \u2018pornography addiction,\u2019 no more discussions about sexual conquests in front of Blake and others, no further mentions of cast and crew\u2019s genitalia, no more inquiries about Blake\u2019s weight, and no further mention of Blake\u2019s dead father\u201d at this meeting.<\/p>\n Lively allegedly also asked for \u201cno more adding of sex scenes, oral sex or on camera climaxing by BL [Blake Lively] outside the scope of the script BL approved when signing onto the project\u201d to be added to It Ends With Us<\/em> by Baldoni or other creatives.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Lively accused Baldoni of using a \u201csocial manipulation\u201d campaign to smear her reputation, including sharing a text message allegedly sent by his publicist to a studio PR contact about him allegedly wanting \u201cto feel like [Lively] can be buried.\u201d<\/p>\n Lively\u2019s legal filing referenced a complaint from an unnamed It Ends With Us<\/em> actress about Baldoni\u2019s onset conduct. Her lawyers wrote in court documents that Lively\u2019s decision to raise concerns about Baldoni \u201cwere not only for herself, but for the other female cast and crew, some of whom had also spoken up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs result of Mr. Baldoni\u2019s behavior, on May 29, 2023, another cast member lodged a sexual harassment complaint about Mr. Baldoni\u2019s \u2018gross\u2019 and \u2018unwanted comment[s]\u2019 towards her and others,\u201d the complaint read.<\/p>\n Lively stated that Baldoni \u201cexpressly acknowledged her concerns in writing\u201d and promised to \u201cadjust accordingly,\u201d though she reported having another worrying conversation with an actress following that agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cOn June 8, 2023, that actress informed Ms. Lively that \u2018outside of anything in a scene, I actually cannot talk to Justin at all,\u201d her attorneys alleged. \u201cMr. Baldoni later expressed suspicion regarding Ms. Lively\u2019s friendship with this actress, as if they were colluding against him.\u201d<\/p>\n Lively alleged that Baldoni made demeaning and sexist comments about her and other coworkers during production on It Ends With Us<\/em>, in addition to sharing alleged details about having sex without asking for consent in the past. (Baldoni denied any wrongdoing.)<\/p>\n In the immediate aftermath, Baldoni\u2019s lawyer Freedman dismissed the merit of the complaint in a statement to Us Weekly<\/em>. The attorney suggested the complaint was Lively\u2019s attempt to \u201cfix her negative reputation\u201d and \u201crehash a narrative\u201d that It Ends With Us<\/em>\u2019 production was troubled.<\/p>\n Freedman accused Lively of making \u201cmultiple demands and threats\u201d throughout production of the blockbuster, including \u201cthreatening to not show up to set, threatening to not promote the film, ultimately leading to its demise during release, if her demands were not met.\u201d<\/p>\n The first mention of Lively\u2019s friend Swift\u2019s involvement in the dispute seemingly came in an exhibit attached to the complaint by the It Ends With Us<\/em> actress\u2019 attorneys. A crisis management expert working for Baldoni allegedly wrote in an August 2024 email that \u201cwe have seen the most innocuous issues turn giant due to socials or the hugest crises have no effect on social whatsoever. You just cannot tell at this stage. But, BL [Blake Lively] does have some of the same TS [Taylor Swift] fanbase so we will be taking it extremely seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n Another \u201cscenario planning\u201d document prepared by Baldoni\u2019s side referenced how their \u201cteam can also explore planting stories about the weaponization of feminism and how people like Taylor Swift, have been accused of utilizing these tactics to \u2018bully\u2019 [enemies] into getting what they want.\u201d<\/p>\n In her first public statement since filing her sexual harassment complaint, Lively described her legal action as an important step toward eliminating hostile work environments on Hollywood sets.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted,\u201d she said on December 21, 2025.<\/p>\n Top executives at powerful Hollywood talent agency WME made the decision on December 21, 2024, to drop Baldoni as a client in the wake of sexual harassment allegations in Lively\u2019s complaint. Lively continued to be represented by WME.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for the Vital Voices Solidarity Awards announced it was rescinding an award given to Baldoni for his allyship on behalf of women\u2019s rights.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Voices of Solidarity Award honors remarkable men who have shown courage and compassion in advocating on behalf of women and girls,\u201d a statement released via Instagram on December 23, 2025, read. \u201cOn December 9, 2024, we recognized Justin Baldoni with this award. On Saturday, December 21, we learned through news reports about a lawsuit brought by Blake Lively against Mr. Baldoni, his publicists, and others that is disturbing and alleges abhorrent conduct. The communications among Mr. Baldoni and his publicists in the lawsuit \u2014 and the PR effort they indicate \u2014 are, alone, contrary to the values of Vital Voices and the spirit of the Award.\u201d<\/p>\n Baldoni\u2019s attorney Freedman released a new statement on December 23, 2024, to deny that the filmmaker\u2019s work with crisis management firm The Agency Group PR amounted to a \u201csocial manipulation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTAG PR operated as any other crisis management firm would when hired by a client experiencing threats by two extremely powerful people with unlimited resources,\u201d Freedman said. \u201cThe standard scenario planning TAG PR drafted proved unnecessary as audiences found Lively\u2019s own actions, interviews and marketing during the promotional tour distasteful, and responded organically to that which the media themselves picked up on.\u201d<\/p>\n Freedman accused Lively\u2019s legal team of \u201ccherry-picking\u201d text messages between Baldoni and TAG PR to build their case in a New York Times<\/em> article about the scandal.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s ironic that the New York Times<\/em>, through their effort to \u2018uncover\u2019 an insidious PR effort, played directly into the hands of Lively\u2019s own dubious PR tactics by publishing leaked personal text exchanges that lack critical context \u2014 the very same tactics she\u2019s accusing the firm of implementing,\u201d the lawyer said.<\/p>\n Sony Pictures \u2014 the studio that distributed It Ends With Us<\/em> \u2014 publicly supported Lively in connection with her work on the blockbuster without directly mentioning Baldoni.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have previously expressed our support for Blake in connection with her work on and for the film. We fully and firmly reiterate that support today,\u201d a Sony representative told Variety<\/em> in a December 23, 2024, statement. \u201cFurther, we strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society.\u201d<\/p>\n The acting union released its own statement on December 23, 2024, to \u201capplaud\u201d Lively\u2019s \u201ccourage in speaking out on issues of retaliation and harassment and for her request to have an intimacy coordinator for all scenes with nudity or sexual content.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an important step that helps ensure a safe set,\u201d a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson continued. \u201cEmployees have every right to raise issues of concern or to file complaints. Retaliation for reporting misconduct or inappropriate behavior is illegal and wrong. We all have a right to be treated with dignity and respect on the job and to work in an environment free of harassment, discrimination and retaliation.\u201d<\/p>\n Lively\u2019s It Ends With Us<\/em> costar Jenny Slate<\/strong> came to her defense in a strongly-worded statement sent to NBC\u2019s Today<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cAs Blake Lively\u2019s castmate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation,\u201d Slate said on December 24, 2024. \u201cBlake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.\u201d<\/p>\n Related: <\/span>Justin Baldoni Gives Life Update Amid Blake Lively Drama: ‘Grateful’<\/span> \n\t\t\tJustin Baldoni is feeling \u201cgrateful\u201d amid his legal battle with Blake Lively. On Monday, September 29, the actor, 41, spoke with TMZ outside of Los Angeles International Airport, where a reporter for the outlet peppered him with questions about his state of mind.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m actually doing wonderful,\u201d Baldoni said, adding that he was \u201cvery grateful,\u201d [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n She went on, \u201cWhat has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening. I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side.\u201d<\/p>\n Freedman confirmed to Deadline<\/em> on December 28, 2024, that he was preparing a countersuit against Lively on Baldoni\u2019s behalf.<\/p>\n \u201cI am not going to speak to when or how many lawsuits we are filing but when we file our first lawsuit, it is going to shock everyone who has been manipulated into believing a demonstrably false narrative,\u201d the lawyer said. \u201cIt will be supported by real evidence and tell the true story.\u201d<\/p>\n Freedman then warned, \u201cIn over 30 years of practicing, I have never seen this level of unethical behavior intentionally fueled through media manipulation.\u201d<\/p>\n The filmmaker filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times<\/em> over its coverage of Lively\u2019s complaint, on behalf of himself, his studio Wayfarer, publicists Melissa Nathan<\/strong> and Jennifer Abel<\/strong>, It Ends With Us <\/em>producers Jamey Heath<\/strong> and Steve Saraowitz<\/strong>, and five others. The suit accused Times<\/em> staff of libel and false light invasion of privacy for \u201ccherry-picking\u201d communications and text messages between Baldoni and a crisis PR firm for its article \u201cWe Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine\u201d by reporters Megan Twohey<\/strong>, Mike McIntire<\/strong> and Julie Tate<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Baldoni\u2019s lawyers accused the Times<\/em> of aiding in Team Lively\u2019s \u201cstrategic and manipulative\u201d smear campaign against the director, which included making \u201csexual harassment allegations to assert unilateral control over every aspect of the production\u201d of It Ends With Us<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Times<\/em> story relied almost entirely on Lively\u2019s unverified and self-serving narrative, lifting it nearly verbatim while disregarding an abundance of evidence that contradicted her claims and exposed her true motives,\u201d Baldoni\u2019s legal team alleged in court documents.<\/p>\n The New York Times<\/em> stood by its reporting in the wake of Baldoni\u2019s $250 million lawsuit.<\/p>\n \u201cThe role of an independent news organization is to follow the facts where they lead,\u201d a statement from the Times<\/em> read on December 31, 2024. \u201cOur story was meticulously and responsibly reported. It was based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and emails that we quote accurately and at length in the article. Those texts and emails were also the crux of a discrimination claim filed in California by Blake Lively against Justin Baldoni and his associates.\u201d<\/p>\n One major disagreement between the two sides revolved around Baldoni alleging that the New York Times<\/em> published its article earlier than it had originally promised.<\/p>\n \u201cTo address some inaccuracies in the lawsuit, when seeking comments from Mr. Baldoni and others who would be mentioned in the article, The Times<\/em> shared the information that we intended to publish, including references to specific text messages and documents, asked them to identify any inaccuracies, provide additional context and speak with our team. Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer and the other subjects chose not to have any conversations with The Times<\/em> or address any of the specific text messages or documents and instead emailed a joint response, which was published in full. (Also, they sent their response to the Times<\/em> at 11:16 p.m. ET Dec 20th, not at 2:16 a.m. ET Dec 21st as the complaint says.)\u201d<\/p>\n A spokesperson for the outlet vowed to \u201cvigorously defend\u201d itself against the lawsuit.<\/p>\n Lively\u2019s spokesperson told Us<\/em> that any insinuation that she\u2019d collaborated with The New York Times<\/em> to defame Baldoni was \u201cobviously false.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing in this lawsuit changes anything about the claims advanced in Ms. Lively\u2019s California Civil Rights Department Complaint, nor her federal complaint, filed earlier today,\u201d Lively\u2019s statement read on December 31, 2024. \u201cThis lawsuit is based on the obviously false premise that Ms. Lively\u2019s administrative complaint against Wayfarer and others was a ruse based on a choice \u2018not to file a lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer,\u2019 and that \u2018litigation was never her ultimate goal.\u2019 As demonstrated by the federal complaint filed by Ms. Lively earlier today, that frame of reference for the Wayfarer lawsuit is false. While we will not litigate this matter in the press, we do encourage people to read Ms. Lively\u2019s complaint in its entirety. We look forward to addressing each and every one of Wayfarer\u2019s allegations in court.\u201d<\/p>\n On the same day as Baldoni took legal action against The New York Times<\/em>, Lively sued him in the Southern District of New York for sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and lost wages. Baldoni\u2019s studio Wayfarer, along with publicists Nathan and Abel, were also named in Lively\u2019s lawsuit.<\/p>\n \u201cEarlier today, Ms. Lively filed a federal complaint against Wayfarer Studios and others in the Southern District of New York,\u201d Lively\u2019s attorneys told Us<\/em> on December 31, 2024. \u201cMs. Lively previously sent her California Civil Rights Department Complaint in response to the retaliatory campaign Wayfarer launched against her for reporting sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns. Unfortunately, Ms. Lively\u2019s decision to speak out has resulted in further retaliation and attacks.\u201d<\/p>\n Their statement went on, \u201cAs alleged in Ms. Lively\u2019s federal Complaint, Wayfarer and its associates have violated federal and California state law by retaliating against her for reporting sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns. Now, the defendants will answer for their conduct in federal court. Ms. Lively has brought this litigation in New York, where much of the relevant activities described in the Complaint took place, but we reserve the right to pursue further action in other venues and jurisdictions as appropriate under the law.\u201d<\/p>\n Freedman told NBC News<\/em> on January 2, 2025, that his office was \u201cabsolutely\u201d working on a countersuit against Lively.<\/p>\n \u201cWe plan to release every single text message between the two of them,\u201d Freedman told the outlet. \u201cWe want the truth to be out there. We want the documents to be out there. We want people to make their determination based on receipts.\u201d<\/p>\n In that same interview, Freedman denied Lively\u2019s accusation that Baldoni coordinated a smear campaign against her in cooperation with a crisis management firm.<\/p>\n \u201cOne hundred percent no,\u201d he said. \u201cJustin Baldoni, from the get-go, said, \u2018I don\u2019t want to do anything negative toward her. I don\u2019t want to hurt her.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Lively\u2019s attorneys condemned Freedman\u2019s recent public comments in a statement to Us<\/em> and insisted that her lawsuit was based on \u201cserious claims of sexual harassment and retaliation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not a \u2018feud\u2019 arising from \u2018creative differences\u2019 or a \u2018he said\/she said\u2019 situation,\u201d the lawyers\u2019 statement said on January 7, 2025. \u201cAs alleged in Ms. Lively\u2019s complaint, and as we will prove in litigation, Wayfarer [Studios] and its associates engaged in unlawful, retaliatory astroturfing against Ms. Lively for simply trying to protect herself and others on a film set. And their response to the lawsuit has been to launch more attacks against Ms. Lively since her filing.\u201d<\/p>\n Lively\u2019s legal representatives further explained, \u201cSexual harassment and retaliation are illegal in every workplace and in every industry. A classic tactic to distract from allegations of this type of misconduct is to \u2018blame the victim\u2019 by suggesting that they invited the conduct, brought it on themselves, misunderstood the intentions, or even lied. Another classic tactic is to reverse the victim and offender, and suggest that the offender is actually the victim. These concepts normalize and trivialize allegations of serious misconduct.\u201d<\/p>\n Related: <\/span>Justin Baldoni Details \u2018Intense Year\u2019 in 2024 Podcast Clip<\/span> \n\t\t\tJustin Baldoni will open up about his \u201cintense year\u201d in a podcast filmed before his legal battle with Blake Lively. Baldoni, 41, appeared to wipe away tears in a promo clip for his upcoming appearance on the \u201cGent\u2019s Talk\u201d podcast, which was filmed in November 2024. \u201cI had a intense year,\u201d Baldoni said in the [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Their statement concluded, \u201cMost importantly, media statements are not a defense to Ms. Lively\u2019s legal claims. We will continue to prosecute her claims in federal court, where the rule of law determines who prevails, not hyperbole and threats.\u201d<\/p>\n Freedman told Us<\/em> on January 7, 2025, that the new comments from Lively\u2019s attorneys were a misrepresentation of the facts.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is painfully ironic that Blake Lively is accusing Justin Baldoni of weaponizing the media when her own team orchestrated this vicious attack by sending the New York Times<\/em> grossly edited documents prior to even filing the complaint,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are releasing all of the evidence which will show a pattern of bullying and threats to take over the movie. None of this will come as a surprise because consistent with her past behavior Blake Lively used other people to communicate those threats and bully her way to get whatever she wanted. We have all the receipts!\u201d<\/p>\n Us<\/em> reported on January 14, 2025, that Freedman issued a litigation hold letter to The Walt Disney Company\u2019s Bob Iger<\/strong> and Marvel Studio\u2019s Kevin Feige<\/strong> to \u201cpreserve all existing documents and data relevant\u201d relevant to a potential lawsuit. Freedman specifically requested that Disney and Marvel Studios preserve documents pertaining to whether the character \u201cNicepool\u201d in Reynolds\u2019 2024 movie Deadpool & Wolverine<\/em> was intended to mock Baldoni.<\/p>\n \u201c[The request is] relating to or reflecting a deliberate attempt to mock, harass, ridicule, intimate or bully Baldoni through the character of \u2018Nicepool,\u2019\u201d Freedman wrote. \u201cIt is important that Marvel take every reasonable step to preserve this information until further notice.\u201d<\/p>\n Baldoni\u2019s company Wayfarer Studios filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband, Reynolds, and her publicist, Leslie Sloane<\/strong>, on January 16, 2025. They accused Lively of trying to \u201cmake Baldoni the real-life villain in her story\u201d to make up for \u201ctone-deaf\u201d promotion of her haircare and alcohol products while releasing a film about domestic violence.<\/p>\n The suit accused Lively of initiating a \u201ctakeover strategy\u201d on It Ends With Us<\/em> due to creative differences with Baldoni, in addition to a litany of claims about her preparedness to work and alleged demeaning onset comments. He accused Lively of pressuring other It Ends With Us<\/em> castmates to \u201cshun\u201d him once they started having creative disputes.<\/p>\n \u201cThis lawsuit is a legal action based on an overwhelming amount of untampered evidence detailing Blake Lively and her team\u2019s duplicitous attempt to destroy Justin Baldoni, his team and their respective companies by disseminating grossly edited, unsubstantiated, new and doctored information to the media,\u201d Freedman told Us<\/em>. \u201cIt is clear based on our own all out willingness to provide all complete text messages, emails, video footage and other documentary evidence that was shared between the parties in real time, that this is a battle she will not win and will certainly regret. Blake Lively was either severely misled by her team or intentionally and knowingly misrepresented the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n Freedman told Us<\/em> that the goal of the lawsuit was to make sure Lively could \u201cnever again be allowed to continue to exploit actual victims of real harassment solely for her personal reputation gain at the expense of those without power.\u201d<\/p>\n As part of his lawsuit, Baldoni\u2019s lawyers released a text message from the filmmaker to Lively that seemingly referenced her friend Swift and Reynolds giving feedback on It Ends With Us<\/em>\u2019 rooftop scene.<\/p>\n \u201cWas working on rooftop scene today, I really love what you did. It really does hep [sic] a lot,\u201d he purportedly wrote. \u201cMakes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor). You really are a talent across the board. Really excited nd [sic] grateful to do this together.\u201d<\/p>\n Lively condemned Wayfarer\u2019s lawsuit as a \u201cdesperate\u201d strategy and described the legal action as \u201canother chapter in the abuser playbook.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim. This is what experts call DARVO. Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim Offender,\u201d Lively\u2019s representatives told Us<\/em> on January 16, 2025. \u201cWayfarer has opted to use the resources of its billionaire co-founder to issue media statements, launch meritless lawsuits, and threaten litigation to overwhelm the public\u2019s ability to understand that what they are doing is retaliation against sexual harassment allegations.\u201d<\/p>\n Her attorneys accused Baldoni of \u201ctrying to shift the narrative to Ms. Lively by falsely claiming that she seized creative control and alienated the cast from Mr. Baldoni.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe evidence will show that the cast and others had their own negative experiences with Mr. Baldoni and Wayfarer. The evidence will also show that Sony asked Ms. Lively to oversee Sony\u2019s cut of the film, which they then selected for distribution and was a resounding success,\u201d they said. \u201cTheir response to sexual harassment allegations: she wanted it, it\u2019s her fault. Their justification for why this happened to her: look what she was wearing. In short, while the victim focuses on the abuse, the abuser focuses on the victim. The strategy of attacking the woman is desperate, it does not refute the evidence in Ms. Lively\u2019s complaint, and it will fail.\u201d<\/p>\n Freedman released a statement to Deadline<\/em> on January 18, 2025, to object to Lively\u2019s characterization of Baldoni\u2019s lawsuit. The attorney said his suit was filled with \u201calmost 200 pages of undeniable facts\u201d that \u201ccrushed\u201d Lively\u2019s \u201csmear campaign\u201d with The New York Times<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cBlake and her legal team have just one heinous pivot left, and that is to double down on the revoltingly false sexual allegations against Mr. Baldoni,\u201d Freedman said.<\/p>\n The It Ends With Us<\/em> director was filmed outside Los Angeles International Airport on January 17, 2025, with his daughter Maiya and son Maxwell, as well as his wife, Emily.<\/p>\n Asked how he was holding up, Baldoni replied: \u201cWe\u2019re grateful to be with the family, man. We have amazing friends and family and faith.\u201d<\/p>\n Freedman released 10 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage from It Ends With Us<\/em> which purportedly showed Baldoni and Lively having friendly banter in between filming a romantic scene. In the footage, Baldoni compliments Lively about her marriage to Reynolds and she jokes about getting her \u201cbody makeup\u201d on her costar as they cuddled for a scene.<\/p>\n \u201cMs. Lively\u2019s complaint alleges that during a scene Mr. Baldoni and Ms. Lively were filming for a slow dance montage, Mr. Baldoni was behaving inappropriately. The following videos captured on May 23, 2023, clearly refute Ms. Lively\u2019s characterization of his behavior,\u201d Freedman told Us<\/em> in a statement on January 21, 2025. \u201cThe scene in question was designed to show the two characters falling in love and longing to be close to one another. Both actors are clearly behaving well within the scope of the scene and with mutual respect and professionalism. These are all three takes filmed of the sequence.\u201d<\/p>\n Lively\u2019s lawyers dismissed Baldoni\u2019s release of behind-the-scenes footage from It Ends With Us<\/em> as a \u201cstunt\u201d that did nothing to disprove their client\u2019s allegations.<\/p>\n \u201cThe video shows Mr. Baldoni repeatedly leaning in toward Ms. Lively, attempting to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, flicking her lip with his thumb, caressing her, telling her how good she smells, and talking with her out of character,\u201d her attorneys said. \u201cEvery moment of this was improvised by Mr. Baldoni with no discussion or consent in advance and no intimacy coordinator present. Mr. Baldoni was not only Ms. Lively\u2019s costar, but the director, the head of [the] studio and Ms. Lively\u2019s boss.\u201d<\/p>\n Lively\u2019s legal team suggested that anyone who\u2019d been \u201cinappropriately touched in the workplace\u201d would recognize the actress\u2019s behavior in the footage.<\/p>\n \u201cThey will recognize her attempts at levity to try to deflect the unwanted touching,\u201d her lawyers argued. \u201cNo woman should have to take defensive measures to avoid being touched by their employer without their consent.\u201d<\/p>\n Their statement concluded, \u201cThe matter is in active litigation in federal court. Releasing this video to the media, rather than presenting it as evidence in court, is another example of an unethical attempt to manipulate the public. It is also a continuation of their harassment and retaliatory campaign. While they are focused on misleading media narratives, we are focused on the legal process. We are continuing our efforts to require Mr. Baldoni and his associates to answer in court, under oath, rather than through manufactured media stunts.\u201d<\/p>\n Judge Lewis J. Liman<\/strong>, of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, announced on January 27, 2025, that Baldoni and Lively\u2019s trial would begin on March 9, 2026, unless they settled their dispute beforehand.<\/p>\n The couple asked a federal judge on January 30, 2025, to dismiss Baldoni\u2019s countersuit. Lively also attempted to block Freedman from being able to depose her as part of their legal battle.<\/p>\n In a rare moment of agreement, Baldoni and Lively\u2019s attorneys filed a joint letter to Judge Liman on January 30, 2025, to say that they both \u201cagreed that settlement discussions would be premature\u201d at the time. Judge Liman ultimately granted their request to forego traditional mediation processes since Lively was preparing to file an \u201camended complaint imminently.\u201d<\/p>\n Amid very public complaints from Lively and her lawyers, Freedman moved forward with the launch of a website about the case on February 1, 2025. The website \u2014 which has the URL of \u201cthelawsuitinfo.com\u201d \u2014 went live with a massive 224-page \u201cAmended Complaint\u201d detailing Baldoni\u2019s accusations against Lively, plus a 168-page PDF breaking down the timeline of their dispute.<\/p>\n Some of the evidence featured on the website included a text message where Reynolds allegedly called Baldoni a \u201cstandup person,\u201d plus additional communication between the director and Lively over It Ends With U<\/em>s\u2019 iconic rooftop scene. The site even featured an alleged message drafted by Reynolds and Lively where they took accountability for the much-maligned promotion of It Ends With Us<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cJustin and team have the right to defend themselves with the truth,\u201d Baldoni\u2019s lawyer Freedman told Us<\/em> about the website. \u201cAnd this is what we will be continuing to show with the upcoming website containing all correspondence as well as relevant videos that directly quash her claims.\u201d<\/p>\n Freedman revealed at a pretrial conference on February 3, 2025, that Baldoni and other parties named in Lively\u2019s lawsuit were \u201cdevastated financially and emotionally\u201d because of the case.<\/p>\n \u201cNot to sound like a 4-year-old fighting a 4-year-old with \u2018they started it,\u2019 but in these kinds of cases, once someone says something it becomes fact: There\u2019s no way to fight against it,\u201d Freedman told the court.<\/p>\n In her own statement, Lively\u2019s lawyer Michael Gottlieb<\/strong> argued that the impact of Baldoni\u2019s accusations had been \u201cdevastating\u201d for the actress\u2019s life and career.<\/p>\n Jed Wallace<\/strong> and his company, Street Relations Inc. \u2014 a crisis PR firm named in Lively\u2019s initial complaint against Baldoni but reportedly not included in her eventual lawsuit \u2014 filed a lawsuit against the actress on February 5, 2025. Wallace alleged that the \u201cdamage was done\u201d by Lively simply linking him to the It Ends With Us<\/em> dispute.<\/p>\n Wallace claimed that Lively wrongly connected him to helping crisis management firm TAG PR with \u201ctheir unlawful retaliatory social combat campaign.\u201d He alleged his company suffered millions of dollars of harm as well as more than a million dollars in projected losses for Street Relations Inc.<\/p>\n Lively\u2019s legal team responded by telling Us<\/em>: \u201cAnother day, another state, another nine-figure lawsuit seeking to sue Ms. Lively \u2018into oblivion\u2019 for speaking out against sexual harassment and retaliation. This is not just a publicity stunt \u2014 it is transparent retaliation in response to allegations contained within a sexual harassment and retaliation complaint that Ms. Lively filed with the California Civil Rights Department. While this lawsuit will be dismissed, we are pleased that Mr. Wallace has finally emerged from the shadows, and that he too will be held accountable in federal court.\u201d<\/p>\n Us<\/em> confirmed on February 13, 2025, that Lively\u2019s lawyers sent subpoenas to AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile seeking phone records for Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath<\/strong> and Wayfarer Studios cofounder Steve Sarowitz<\/strong>, plus Baldoni\u2019s publicists Abel and Nathan.<\/p>\n \u201cPhone records belonging to all of the individual defendants will expose the full web of individuals who were involved in the smear campaign against Ms. Lively,\u201d a Lively representative explained to Us<\/em>. \u201cSuch records will provide critical and irrefutable evidence not only about who, but also about when, where, and how their retaliation plan came together and operated.\u201d<\/p>\n Freedman responded by telling Us<\/em> that subpoenas \u201care an ordinary part of the litigation\u201d before decrying Team Lively\u2019s latest request.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is extraordinary is what the Lively Parties are seeking. They are asking for every single call, text, data log, and even real-time location information for the past 2.5 years, regardless of the sender, recipient, or subject matter,\u201d he claimed. \u201cThis massive fishing expedition demonstrates that they are desperately seeking any factual basis for their provably false claims. They will find none.\u201d<\/p>\n Reynolds and Lively both attended the Saturday Night Live<\/em> 50th anniversary special in New York City on February 16, 2025, where the Deadpool<\/em> actor made light of the couple\u2019s legal drama.<\/p>\n During a segment where Amy Poehler<\/strong> and Tina Fey<\/strong> interviewed celebrities in the live studio audience, the SNL<\/em> legends asked Reynolds how he was doing.<\/p>\n \u201c[I\u2019m doing] great. Why, what have you heard?\u201d Reynolds replied as the camera flashed to Lively with a blank expression.<\/p>\n Freedman wasn\u2019t laughing about Reynolds\u2019 joke at the SNL<\/em> 50th anniversary special when he was asked about it on the \u201cHot Mics With Billy Bush\u201d podcast on February 17, 2025.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m unaware of anybody, frankly, whose wife has been sexually harassed and has made jokes about that type of situation. I can\u2019t think of anyone who\u2019s done anything like that,\u201d the lawyer said. \u201cSo it surprised me.\u201d<\/p>\n Following the January 30 pretrial conference, Lively filed an amended complaint in a New York court on February 18, 2025, with new accusations against Baldoni. One of the bigger revelations in Lively\u2019s complaint involved new details about alleged workplace harassment that other women who worked on It Ends With Us<\/em>\u00a0 allegedly faced from Baldoni. (The other party is not named directly in Lively\u2019s amended complaint.)<\/p>\n The revised court documents accused Wayfarer Studios of launching a \u201cfarce\u201d investigation into sexual harassment complaints against Baldoni because the filmmaker was still involved in the company.<\/p>\n \u201cThe amended complaint details the corroboration that backs up Blake\u2019s original sexual harassment and retaliation concerns, including that (1) Justin Baldoni and Jamey Heath made other women uncomfortable on set; and (2) other women confided in Blake about their discomfort and fear of coming forward, and their concern about the current public vitriol,\u201d a spokesperson for Lively told Us<\/em> in a statement. \u201cThe new filing also details that a Sony representative spoke to Baldoni about the concerns, and that Baldoni responded, including by reaching out to one of the other women who complained to reassure her that he heard her and promised to make adjustments.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Lively, Baldoni \u201cdidn\u2019t follow through on that promise\u201d to adjust his conduct. Lively alleges that Baldoni decided instead to \u201chire a crisis management team, digital manipulation experts, litigators, and used those helpers to plan and execute the smear campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn doing so, Blake has alleged, Baldoni hoped that if she or any other woman made their grievances public, nobody would believe them,\u201d Lively\u2019s spokesperson concluded.<\/p>\n On February 19, 2025, Freedman described Lively\u2019s amended complaint as \u201cunderwhelming\u201d and once again dinged Reynolds for joking about the case on SNL<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cOur clients have taken this matter and these issues very seriously notwithstanding the jokes made publicly by the plaintiff and her husband,\u201d he told Us<\/em>. \u201cHer underwhelming amended complaint is filled with unsubstantial hearsay of unnamed persons who are clearly no longer willing to come forward or publicly support her claims. Since documents do not lie and people do, the upcoming depositions of those who initially supported Ms. Lively\u2019s false claims and those who are witnesses to her own behavior will be enlightening. What is truly uncomfortable here is Ms. Lively\u2019s lack of actual evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n Lively and Reynolds submitted a legal request for a stronger protective order to be issued on their behalf on February 20, 2025. The couple argued in court documents that \u201cadditional protections\u201d were needed since they\u2019d been subject to violent threats due to their dispute with Baldoni.<\/p>\n \u201cAs detailed in Ms. Lively\u2019s Amended Complaint, Ms. Lively, her family, other members of the cast, various fact witnesses, and individuals that have spoken out publicly in support of Ms. Lively have received violent, profane, sexist, and threatening communications,\u201d their attorneys alleged.<\/p>\n Team Baldoni told Us<\/em> that they did not support anyone sending threatening messages on his behalf.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone receiving violent messages by anonymous parties is abhorrent,\u201d his attorneys declared. \u201cWhen private parties were wrongfully accused by Lively and her paid team of wrongdoing, they received continuous death threats and visits to private homes where young children reside after their addresses were leaked on her initial complaints. No one should have to face that, especially private parties who do not have means for security detail. We do not condone dangerous rhetoric targeted toward anyone no matter the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n Lively\u2019s publicist Sloane formally asked a New York federal court to remove her company Vision PR from Baldoni\u2019s countersuit on February 20, 2025. She alleged that her company was included in the legal wrangling as part of a \u201csmoke and mirrors exercise to distract\u201d from Lively\u2019s sexual harassment accusations against Baldoni.<\/p>\n Baldoni asked Judge Liman on February 25, 2025, to block Lively\u2019s attempt to instate an \u201cAttorney\u2019s Eyes Only\u201d stipulation in the case, which would block the release of certain sensitive information to the public during the discovery process.<\/p>\n Baldoni\u2019s attorney Mitchell Schuster<\/strong> expressed surprise at Lively\u2019s trying to \u201cprevent the public from accessing material and relevant evidence\u201d given her attorney\u2019s previous public statements about the importance of her sexual harassment suit. He suggested Lively was trying to use the court motion to \u201crehabilitate her tarnished image with bold statements to the press.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMs. Lively lacks a \u2018good faith\u2019 belief that there is any information of such a \u2018personally sensitive nature\u2019 that disclosure thereof to the parties \u2018would unnecessarily violate [her] privacy rights,\u2019\u201d Schuster argued.<\/p>\n Lively\u2019s lawyer Gottlieb hit back at Team Baldoni for showing \u201ccallous disregard and disrespect for a woman advocating for the most basic workplace protections against sexual harassment\u201d with its legal letter. He also condemned \u201ccertain online content creators\u201d for \u201cparrot[ing] the Wayfarer Parties\u2019 line\u201d with misleading claims about Lively.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for the actress confirmed to Us<\/em> on February 28, 2025, that she hired PR crisis manager Nick Shapiro<\/strong> to advise on the case. Shapiro previously served as the CIA\u2019s deputy chief of staff and was an advisor to former director John Brennan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe litigation team for Ms. Lively retained Mr. Shapiro to advise on the legal communications strategy for the ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit occurring in the Southern District of New York,\u201d Lively\u2019s legal team said.<\/p>\n On March 13, 2025, Judge Liman partially granted Lively\u2019s request for additional protections. The ruling allowed for certain documents in case to only go between attorneys.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, the Court rejected the Wayfarer Parties\u2019 objections and entered the protections needed to ensure the free flow of discovery material without any risk of witness intimidation or harm to any individual\u2019s security,\u201d a spokesperson for Lively told Us<\/em> in a statement. \u201cWith this order in place, Ms. Lively will move forward in the discovery process to obtain even more of the evidence that will prove her claims in Court.\u201d<\/p>\n Baldoni\u2019s lawyer Freedman replied: \u201cWe are fully in agreement with the Court\u2019s decision to provide a narrow scope of protections to categories such as private mental health records and personal security measures that have never been of interest to us. As opposed to Ms. Lively\u2019s exceedingly over broad demand for documents for a 2 [and a half] year period of time which the court rightly quashed.\u201d<\/p>\n In court documents obtained by Us<\/em> on March 18, 2025, Reynolds asked to be removed from Baldoni\u2019s countersuit because the director could not \u201cidentify a single allegedly defamatory statement\u201d made by the actor.<\/p>\n \u201cThe entirety of Mr. Baldoni\u2019s case appears to be based on Mr. Reynolds allegedly privately calling Mr. Baldoni a \u2018predator,\u2019 but here is the problem, that is not defamation unless they can show that Mr. Reynolds did not believe that statement to be true,\u201d Reynolds\u2019 attorneys Gottlieb and Hudson told Us<\/em>. \u201cThe complaint doesn\u2019t allege that, and just the opposite, the allegations in the complaint suggest that Mr. Reynolds genuinely believes Mr. Baldoni is a predator.\u201d<\/p>\n Reynolds\u2019 spokesperson accused Baldoni of compiling \u201ca list of grievances attempting to shame Mr. Reynolds for being the man Mr. Baldoni has built his brand pretending to be, a man who is \u2018confident enough to listen\u2019 to the woman in his life.\u201d<\/p>\n Freedman accused Reynolds of continuous \u201cexploitation of his enormous power\u201d by trying to remove himself from the lawsuit.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Reynolds was a key player in the scheme, defaming Justin around Hollywood, strong-arming WME into dropping Justin as a client, and trying to destroy Justin\u2019s career however possible,\u201d Baldoni\u2019s lawyer told Us<\/em> on March 19, 2025. \u201cHis fingerprints have been all over this smear campaign against Justin and the Wayfarer team since day one.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gossip Girl<\/em> alum followed a similar legal tactic to Reynolds by asking a judge to dismiss Baldoni\u2019s multi-million dollar lawsuit on March 20, 2025. Her legal team claimed that the lawsuit was \u201ca profound abuse of the legal process\u201d that had \u201cno place in federal court.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCalifornia law now expressly prohibits suing victims who make the decision to speak out against sexual harassment or retaliation, whether in a lawsuit or in the press,\u201d Lively\u2019s lawyers Gottlieb and Hudson told Us<\/em>. \u201cThis meritless and retaliatory lawsuit runs head first into three legal obstacles, including the litigation, fair report, and sexual harassment privileges, the latter of which contains a mandatory fee shifting provision that will require the likes of \u2026 Wayfarer Studios, and others that brought frivolous defamation claims against Ms. Lively to pay damages. In other words, in an epic self-own, the Wayfarer Parties\u2019 attempt to sue Ms. Lively \u2018into oblivion\u2019 has only created more liability for them, and deservedly so, given what they have done.\u201d<\/p>\n Freedman unloaded on Lively\u2019s latest legal maneuvering by calling it \u201cone of the most abhorrent examples of abusing our legal system.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStringent rules are put into place to protect the innocent and allow individuals to rightfully defend themselves,\u201d Baldoni\u2019s lawyer replied. \u201cLaws are not meant to be twisted and curated by privileged elites to fit their own personal agenda. As we said yesterday in response to Mr. Reynolds\u2019 same cowardly measures, we will continue to hold Ms. Lively accountable for her actions of pure malice which include falsely accusing my clients of harassment and retaliation. Her fantastical claims will be swiftly debunked as discovery moves forward, easily disproved with actual, evidentiary proof.\u201d<\/p>\n Baldoni amended his lawsuit to include Stephanie Jones<\/strong>, whose PR company used to employ his one-time crisis management expert Abel. His attorneys alleged that Jones took Abel\u2019s work phone and handed it over to Team Lively, who then mined it for emails and text messages for their lawsuit.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is undeniable that Stephanie Jones initiated this catastrophic sequence of events by violating the most basic of privacy rights, as well as any remaining trust her clients held,\u201d Freedman said in a statement to Us<\/em> on March 21, 2025. \u201cNo stranger to stirring up crisis scenarios for departing clients, Ms. Jones maliciously turned over communications from the phone she wrongfully took from her own partner to her cohort Leslie Sloane, immediately after Jones was terminated for cause by Wayfarer due to her own wrongful behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n Baldoni\u2019s legal move followed Jones filing a lawsuit against Abel, Baldoni and others. In her suit, Jones accused them of orchestrating an alleged smear campaign against Lively<\/p>\n Jones\u2019 representative Kristin Tahler<\/strong> told Us<\/em>: \u201cAbel, Nathan, Baldoni and their co-defendants attempted to achieve these outcomes through bullying, distortion and outright disparagement. These facts are backed up by dozens of messages provided in the suit we filed a month ago and cannot be credibly disputed. Having no facts or evidence, we see a familiar playbook \u2014 smear our client, culminating in the work of fiction masquerading as the counterclaims that were filed yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n Baldoni\u2019s attorneys officially filed paperwork on April 3, 2025, to oppose Reynolds being dropped from their lawsuit. They labeled Reynolds a \u201cco-conspirator\u201d in the smear campaign and suggested there were \u201cample facts\u201d to support him being included in the suit.<\/p>\n \u201cThe main takeaway from the Wayfarer Parties\u2019 opposition to Ryan\u2019s motion to dismiss their case is that they finally realize the plain defects in their complaint,\u201d Reynolds\u2019 spokesperson told Us<\/em> in response. \u201cThey once again claim defamation without alleging who was defamed, what specifically was said, or how anyone suffered actual harm.\u201d<\/p>\n They went on, \u201cUnlike Mr. Baldoni, who built his brand pretending to be a man who is \u2018confident enough to listen\u2019 to the women in his life, Ryan Reynolds actually is that man and he will continue to support his wife as she stands up to the individuals who not only harassed her but then have retaliated against her. Under New York law, California law, and indeed in every jurisdiction of the United States this lawsuit not only fails but may result in the Wayfarer Parties covering Ryan\u2019s costs and attorneys\u2019 fees for bringing such a frivolous case in the first place.\u201d<\/p>\n Lively\u2019s attorneys Hudson and Gottlieb shared a statement with Us<\/em> on April 10, 2025, in which they accused Baldoni\u2019s side of using \u201cscorched earth litigation\u201d to prevent people from coming forward with sexual harassment complaints. The two lawyers suggested Team Baldoni was \u201ctear[ing] down\u201d legal protections for accusers with their courtroom tactics.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Baldoni has gone from monetizing a brand devoted to believing and supporting women, to leading the charge to tear down the very law that protects women who come forward about sexual assault, harassment and discrimination.\u201d they told Us<\/em>. \u201cCalifornia\u2019s sexual harassment privilege, AB 933, was enacted to stop perpetrators of sexual harassment from abusing defamation lawsuits to sue their accusers into oblivion.\u201d<\/p>\n Baldoni\u2019s lawyer Freedman responded that it was Lively who\u2019d used \u201ccalculated efforts first to extort and manipulate\u201d others to go against his client.<\/p>\n \u201cMs. Lively and her circle of Hollywood elites cannot prevent my clients from exercising their constitutional right to petition the court to clear their names from her false and harmful claims,\u201d Freedman added. \u201cWhat Ms. Lively is attempting to do is to set a dangerous precedent by barring the courthouse doors to my clients and punishing them for having their day in court, a right protected by the First Amendment.\u201d<\/p>\n After being dragged into the dispute due to the \u201cNicepool\u201d character in Reynolds\u2019 movie Deadpool & Wolverine<\/em>, Marvel Studios asked Judge Liman on April 29, 2025, to \u201cquash the subpoena issued to Marvel\u201d and grant a \u201cprotective order prohibiting the disclosure of Marvel\u2019s confidential documents\u201d pertaining to spoilers for future story lines in the MCU.<\/p>\n \u201cThe requested documents are particularly sensitive because they relate to the development of a character in an ongoing movie franchise,\u201d their letter to the court read. \u201cMarvel has built the success of the MCU in large part by interconnecting storylines, plots, and characters across its titles, including \u2018crossover\u2019 events and sequels. Whether and how such elements will appear in upcoming, unreleased projects is the subject of much public interest, and this information is closely guarded by Marvel.\u201d<\/p>\n Baldoni\u2019s counsel replied: \u201cMy office met and conferred with Marvel\u2019s counsel via telephone about the objections, and although we attempted in good faith to address Marvel\u2019s purported concerns about confidentiality and relevancy, Marvel\u2019s counsel interrupted us, refusing to engage in that discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cInstead, Marvel\u2019s counsel interjected and stated he merely wanted to know what documents the Wayfarer Parties \u2018really\u2019 needed, regardless of the Subpoena\u2019s demand for all documents concerning: (a) the creation, development, modification or portrayal of Ryan Reynolds\u2019 \u2018Nicepool\u2019 character from Deadpool & Wolverine<\/em>; and (b) Justin Baldoni,\u201d Freedman continued.<\/p>\n Baldoni\u2018s charitable Wayfarer Foundation announced on May 6, 2025, that it was shutting down amid its cofounder\u2019s dispute with Lively.<\/p>\n \u201cOver the past four years, Wayfarer Foundation has supported dozens of grantee partners in fulfilling their missions,\u201d cofounder Sarowitz announced via Instagram. \u201cI am so incredibly proud of the impact this organization has made and deeply grateful for our staff, board, donors and partners.\u201d<\/p>\n The Wayfarer Foundation immediately began \u201cthe process of sunsetting the Foundation,\u201d according to Sarowitz.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will honor all of our current grant commitments as we carefully wind down operations over the next several weeks,\u201d he vowed. \u201cAlthough the Wayfarer Foundation is closing, my personal commitment to giving remains strong, and I\u2019m dedicated to making an impact on society through the ongoing mission and work.\u201d<\/p>\n In a bombshell announcement, Lively\u2019s attorney Gottlieb told People<\/em> on May 8, 2025, that the actress planned to testify in her 2026 trial against Baldoni.<\/p>\n \u201cThe ultimate moment for a plaintiff\u2019s story to be told is at trial,\u201d Gottlieb said. \u201cWe expect that to be the case here [with Lively]. So we would, of course, expect her to be a witness at her trial. Of course, she\u2019s going to testify.\u201d<\/p>\n Gottlieb also used his interview with People<\/em> to discourage Team Baldoni from subpoenaing Lively\u2019s friend Swift, as well as her husband, Reynolds, in their 2026 trial.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s completely unclear what claims or defenses, in the case any of these celebrities \u2026 have any relevance to at all,\u201d he complained.<\/p>\n He then argued: \u201cThis is a case about what happened to Blake Lively when she raised claims of sexual harassment on the set. It\u2019s not a case about how songs were chosen for the movie. It\u2019s not a case about fictional Marvel characters in
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\nLively Files Complaint Against Baldoni<\/h2>\n
Another Complaint<\/h2>\n
Baldoni\u2019s Lawyer Responds<\/h2>\n
1st Mention of Taylor Swift Involvement<\/h2>\n
Lively Makes 1st Statement<\/h2>\n
Baldoni Dropped by Talent Agency<\/h2>\n
Baldoni Has Award Rescinded<\/h2>\n
New Baldoni Statement<\/h2>\n
![\"Blake](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blake-Lively-vs-Justin-Baldoni-s-It-Ends-With-Us-Lawsuit-Case-Updates-5.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Justin Baldoni.<\/span> Nathan Congleton\/NBC via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSony Supports Lively<\/h2>\n
SAG-AFTRA Applauds Lively<\/h2>\n
Jenny Slate Breaks Silence on Legal Battle<\/h2>\n
![\"GettyImages-2188305541-JustinBaldoniVariety.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2188305541-JustinBaldoniVariety.jpg?crop=0px%2C68px%2C1334px%2C754px&resize=400%2C225&quality=55&strip=all\")
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\nBaldoni Lawyer Promises Countersuit<\/h2>\n
Baldoni Sues \u2018The New York Times\u2019<\/h2>\n
\u2018The New York Times\u2019 Responds to Lawsuit<\/h2>\n
Lively Responds to Baldoni\u2019s \u2018New York Times\u2019 Suit<\/h2>\n
Lively Sues Baldoni<\/h2>\n
![\"Blake](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blake-Lively-vs-Justin-Baldoni-s-It-Ends-With-Us-Lawsuit-Case-Updates-4.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>
\n Blake Lively.<\/span> Mike Marsland\/WireImage<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBaldoni Confirms Countersuit Plans<\/h2>\n
Lively Denounces Baldoni \u2018Attacks\u2019<\/h2>\n
![\"Justin](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2165632500.jpg?crop=0px%2C574px%2C4922px%2C2780px&resize=400%2C225&quality=40&strip=all\")
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\nThe \u2018Nicepool\u2019 Controversy<\/h2>\n
Baldoni\u2019s Studio Sues Lively<\/h2>\n
Taylor Swift Text Message<\/h2>\n
Lively Responds to Baldoni Lawsuit<\/h2>\n
Baldoni Lawyer Defends Lawsuit<\/h2>\n
Baldoni\u2019s Rare Comment<\/h2>\n
\u2018It Ends With Us\u2019 Set Footage Released<\/h2>\n
Lively\u2019s Attorneys Condemn \u2018It Ends With Us\u2019 Footage Release<\/h2>\n
![\"Blake](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blake-Lively-vs-Justin-Baldoni-s-It-Ends-With-Us-Lawsuit-Case-Updates-7.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>
\n Justin Baldoni.<\/span> Rodin Eckenroth\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTrial Date Set<\/h2>\n
Lively and Reynolds Try to Dismiss Baldoni Countersuit<\/h2>\n
No Mediation<\/h2>\n
Baldoni Launches Website About Case<\/h2>\n
Financial Impact<\/h2>\n
Lively Sued by Crisis PR Firm<\/h2>\n
Phone Records Subpoenaed<\/h2>\n
Reynolds Jokes About Case on \u2018SNL\u2019<\/h2>\n
![\"Blake](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blake-Lively-vs-Justin-Baldoni-s-It-Ends-With-Us-Lawsuit-Case-Updates-3.jpg?w=1000&quality=55&strip=all\")
<\/div>
\n Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.<\/span> TheStewartofNY\/WireImage<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBaldoni Lawyer Condemns \u2018SNL\u2019 Joke<\/h2>\n
New Accusations Against Baldoni<\/h2>\n
Baldoni Responds to New Accusations<\/h2>\n
Lively and Reynolds Seek More Protection<\/h2>\n
Lively\u2019s Publicist Seeks Removal From Case<\/h2>\n
Public Information Clash<\/h2>\n
![\"Blake](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blake-Lively-vs-Justin-Baldoni-s-It-Ends-With-Us-Lawsuit-Case-Updates-8.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>
\n Justin Baldoni.<\/span> Dia Dipasupil\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLively\u2019s New Crisis PR<\/h2>\n
Judge Rules on Protective Order<\/h2>\n
Ryan Reynolds Files for Removal<\/h2>\n
Baldoni Fires Back at Reynolds<\/h2>\n
Lively Tries to Dismiss Baldoni Countersuit<\/h2>\n
![\"Blake](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blake-Lively-vs-Justin-Baldoni-s-It-Ends-With-Us-Lawsuit-Case-Updates-1.jpg?w=1000&quality=55&strip=all\")
<\/div>
\n Blake Lively.<\/span> BG048\/Bauer-Griffin\/GC Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBaldoni Adds Publicist to Lawsuit<\/h2>\n
Baldoni Defends Suing Reynolds<\/h2>\n
\u2018Scorched Earth\u2019<\/h2>\n
Marvel Responds to Baldoni Lawsuit<\/h2>\n
Wayfarer Foundation Shuts Down<\/h2>\n
![\"Blake](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blake-Lively-vs-Justin-Baldoni-s-It-Ends-With-Us-Lawsuit-Case-Updates-6.jpg?w=1000&quality=62&strip=all\")
<\/div>
\n Justin Baldoni.<\/span> Frazer Harrison\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLively Will Testify<\/h2>\n
Lively Lawyer Slams Possible Taylor Swift Subpoena<\/h2>\n