It Ends with Us controversy
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{{italic title|string=It Ends with Us}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
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The production of the 2024 American romantic drama film It Ends with Us, starring American actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, has been the subject of controversy due to highly publicized disputes between Lively and Baldoni, leading to lawsuits. The film, based on the 2016 novel of the same name by the American author Colleen Hoover, was directed by Baldoni and released in August 2024 to box office success. From December 2024 to May 2025, multiple legal complaints were filed on the grounds of hostile work environment and defamation.
During the film's promotional tour, Lively received criticism on social media websites for not addressing the film's themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse in her interviews, while Baldoni faced allegations of sexual harassment on set. On December 20, 2024, Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging that Baldoni created a hostile workplace through inappropriate comments. The complaint coincided with the publication of an article from The New York Times alleging Baldoni hired a public relations (PR) team to damage Lively's public image in response to her complaints. On December 31, Lively filed a federal lawsuit against Baldoni, naming the same issues outlined in her complaint to the Civil Rights Department. Lively also filed a lawsuit against two of Baldoni's PR representatives, alleging they violated federal and California state law by retaliating against her for reporting sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns.
On December 26, 2024, Baldoni filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times. On January 16, 2025, he filed a $400 million civil lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, alleging extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. Baldoni claimed that Lively threatened to make false sexual harassment complaints and withdraw from production to gain creative control over the film, excluding him from the process, dismissing his editors, and barring him from the film's premiere. In January 2025, Lively accused Baldoni of a smear campaign creating a negative public image of her and applied for a gag order on Baldoni, which the court denied. Baldoni denied involvement in a smear campaign.
In May 2025, Baldoni filed to subpoena the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift after claiming that Lively used Swift and Reynolds to pressure him into accepting Lively's rewrite for the film. Baldoni also filed a letter and an affidavit alleging that Lively blackmailed Swift with leaking private text messages to garner her public support. Swift denied any involvement with the film and the controversy, and Baldoni withdrew the subpoena request after the court struck the letter and affidavit for abuse of process.
Reports of conflict
During the promotion of the film It Ends with Us, it was reported that Colleen Hoover and Lively, along several other members of the cast, had unfollowed Baldoni on Instagram.{{Cite magazine |last=Koul |first=Scaachi |date=August 13, 2024 |title=The Drama Over It Ends With Us Has Almost Eclipsed the Film Itself |url=https://slate.com/culture/2024/08/it-ends-with-us-cast-drama-blake-lively-justin-baldoni.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130152518/https://slate.com/culture/2024/08/it-ends-with-us-cast-drama-blake-lively-justin-baldoni.html |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |access-date=February 11, 2025 |magazine=Slate}}{{Cite magazine |last=Murray |first=Conor |title='It Ends With Us' Actor Brandon Sklenar Addresses Alleged Cast Drama—Here's Why Fans Think Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Are Feuding |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/08/14/why-fans-think-it-ends-with-us-stars-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-are-feuding-as-baldoni-reportedly-hires-crisis-pr/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209101128/https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/08/14/why-fans-think-it-ends-with-us-stars-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-are-feuding-as-baldoni-reportedly-hires-crisis-pr/ |archive-date=February 9, 2025 |access-date=February 11, 2025 |magazine=Forbes}} Baldoni was absent from most of the film's promotion and specific questions about him were notably deflected.
File:It ends with us.jpg by Colleen Hoover (the novel the film is adapted from) is known for its exploration of themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse. ]]
During this period, social media discussions about Lively grew more critical. Lively faced criticism for promoting her alcohol brand while also promoting a film about domestic violence, an issue that is often linked to alcohol consumption. She also received criticism for promoting the film in an upbeat manner, encouraging audiences to {{qi|grab your friends and wear your florals}} on their way to the theater. Lively additionally promoted her hair care line during press events for the film, which some viewed as inappropriate given the film's focus on domestic violence.{{Cite news |title=Blake Lively reacts to backlash to 'tone deaf' publicity for new film It Ends With Us |date=August 16, 2024 |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/it-ends-with-us-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-interviews-b2597237.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225162454/https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/it-ends-with-us-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-interviews-b2597237.html |archive-date=December 25, 2024 |access-date=February 11, 2025}} Lively's complaint and subsequent lawsuit allege that the shift in online opinion occurred due to a smear campaign run by Baldoni's public relations firm.{{Cite news |date=December 21, 2024 |title=Read the Complaint |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/12/21/us/complaint-of-blake-lively-v-wayfarer-studios-llc-et-al.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210165630/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/12/21/us/complaint-of-blake-lively-v-wayfarer-studios-llc-et-al.html |archive-date=February 10, 2025 |access-date=February 11, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times}}
Allegations
= Civil Rights Department claim by Lively against Baldoni =
During the production of It Ends with Us, Lively alleged she had experienced sexual harassment from Baldoni. On December 20, 2024, Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging Baldoni created a hostile work environment through inappropriate sexual comments and boundary violations, such as improvising kissing scenes during filming.{{Cite news |title=Blake Lively files complaint against Justin Baldoni over alleged sexual misconduct on 'It Ends with Us' set |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-alleged-sexual-misconduct/story?id=117017592 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107154354/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-alleged-sexual-misconduct/story?id=117017592 |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |agency=ABC News}} The New York Times reported that Baldoni hired a PR crisis management team to "bury" Lively after she confronted him about the alleged harassment. Documents obtained by Lively via court-issued subpoena allegedly showed a coordinated effort on Baldoni's behalf to discredit her across both traditional and social media.
Prior to the recommencement of filming after the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, Wayfarer Studios had agreed to implement safeguards including providing a full-time intimacy coordinator and bringing in an outside producer.{{Cite news |last1=Twohey |first1=Megan |last2=McIntire |first2=Mike |last3=Tate |first3=Julie |date=December 21, 2024 |title='We Can Bury Anyone': Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/business/media/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241222103843/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/business/media/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us.html |archive-date=December 22, 2024 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times}} Lively and Reynolds had a meeting to address their list of demands to Wayfarer Studios, which were reported to include {{qi|not showing nude videos or images of women to Lively; no more mentions of Baldoni's alleged previous 'pornography addiction'; no more discussions about sexual experiences in front of Lively and others; no further mentions of cast and crew's genitalia; and no more inquiries about Lively's weight.}}{{Cite web |last=Piña |first=Christy |date=December 21, 2024 |title=Blake Lively Sues 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star and Director Justin Baldoni for Sexual Harassment |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-1236092214/ |access-date=December 21, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=December 21, 2024 |title=Blake Lively Sues 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star Justin Baldoni for Sexual Harassment |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-1235214417/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126110120/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-1235214417/ |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}
According to documents reviewed by The New York Times, after Lively raised concerns, Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath hired crisis management experts who allegedly coordinated efforts to {{qi|destroy}} Lively's reputation through social media campaigns and strategic media placement. Baldoni and his lawyer, Bryan Freedman, released a statement describing Lively's claims as {{qi|completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious}}.{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2024 |title=Blake Lively Sues 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star Justin Baldoni for Sexual Harassment; His Lawyer Slams 'Shameful' Lawsuit Full of 'False Accusations' |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-it-ends-with-us-1236257048/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241221145908/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-it-ends-with-us-1236257048/ |archive-date=December 21, 2024 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |website=Variety}}{{Cite news |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |last2=Patten |first2=Dominic |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni Rep Admits PR Team "Sophomorically Reveled" Against Blake Lively, But Claims No Smear Campaign Despite Sexual Harassment Allegations |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-balboni-blake-lively-latest-1236240921/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223235712/https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-balboni-blake-lively-latest-1236240921/ |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |work=Deadline}}
= Initial response and fallout =
On December 21, 2024, the talent agency WME dropped Baldoni as a client.{{Cite web |last1=Patten |first1=Dominic |last2=Andreeva |first2=Nellie |date=December 21, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni Dropped By WME Following Blake Lively's Sexual Harassment Complaint |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-baldoni-dropped-wme-blake-lively-sexual-harassment-complaint-1236240243/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119014822/https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-baldoni-dropped-wme-blake-lively-sexual-harassment-complaint-1236240243/ |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |website=Deadline}}{{Cite news |last=Richards |first=Bailey |date=December 21, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni Dropped by His Talent Agency as Blake Lively Sues Him for Sexual Harassment |url=https://people.com/justin-baldoni-dropped-by-talent-agency-as-blake-lively-sues-him-for-sexual-harassment-8765535 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123160721/https://people.com/justin-baldoni-dropped-by-talent-agency-as-blake-lively-sues-him-for-sexual-harassment-8765535 |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |work=People}}{{sfn|Wagmeister|2025b}} Colleen Hoover, the author of the novel on which the film is based, released a statement in support of Lively.{{Cite web |last1=Garner |first1=Glenn |last2=Patten |first2=Dominic |date=December 22, 2024 |title=Colleen Hoover Supports Blake Lively Amid Justin Baldoni Lawsuit: "Never Wilt" |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/colleen-hoover-supports-blake-lively-amid-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-1236240430/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105053032/https://deadline.com/2024/12/colleen-hoover-supports-blake-lively-amid-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-1236240430/ |archive-date=January 5, 2025 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} The actors' union SAG-AFTRA also expressed support for Lively, releasing a statement that read in part, {{qi|We applaud [her] courage 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. This is an important step that helps ensure a safe set.}}{{Cite web |date=December 23, 2024 |title=SAG-AFTRA Supports Blake Lively After 'Startling and Troubling' Allegations Against Justin Baldoni |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blake-lively-sag-aftra-sexual-harrassment-allegations-it-ends-with-us-justin-baldoni-1236258651/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121232731/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blake-lively-sag-aftra-sexual-harrassment-allegations-it-ends-with-us-justin-baldoni-1236258651/ |archive-date=January 21, 2025 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |website=Variety}}
Baldoni, who was announced as the recipient of the Voices of Solidarity Award, had the award officially rescinded. Vital Voices, the sponsor of the award, explained that their decision was based on reported communications between Baldoni and his publicists, which were published by The New York Times.{{Cite web |title=Statement by Vital Voices on Decision to Rescind Voices of Solidarity Award |url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/news-articles/announcement/statement-by-vital-voices-on-decision-to-rescind-voices-of-solidarity-award/#:~:text=The%20Voices%20of%20Solidarity%20Award,Justin%20Baldoni%20with%20this%20award. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119150550/https://www.vitalvoices.org/news-articles/announcement/statement-by-vital-voices-on-decision-to-rescind-voices-of-solidarity-award/#:~:text=The%20Voices%20of%20Solidarity%20Award,Justin%20Baldoni%20with%20this%20award. |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |website=Vital Voices}}
Baldoni's Man Enough co-host Liz Plank resigned from the podcast following the allegations.{{Cite web |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni's Podcast Co-Host Resigns After Blake Lively's Allegations: 'I Will Continue to Support Everyone Who Calls Out Injustice' |url=https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/liz-plank-justin-baldoni-quit-podcast-blake-lively-1236258664/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123125042/https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/liz-plank-justin-baldoni-quit-podcast-blake-lively-1236258664/ |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |website=Variety}} Sony Pictures released a statement standing by Lively, adding, {{qi|[W]e strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society.}}{{Cite web |date=December 24, 2024 |title=Sony Condemns "Any Reputational Attacks" On Blake Lively From Justin Baldoni's Alleged Smear Campaign Against 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-sony-smear-campaign-1236241495/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201003315/https://deadline.com/2024/12/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-sony-smear-campaign-1236241495/ |archive-date=February 1, 2025 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}
On December 24, Stephanie Jones, Baldoni's former publicist, filed a lawsuit in New York City alleging breach of contract and defamation against Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and her former employees.{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Meredith |date=December 26, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively and the PR Fallout Over 'It Ends With Us' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-12-26/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-stephanie-jones-jennifer-abel-melissa-nathan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114225302/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-12-26/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-stephanie-jones-jennifer-abel-melissa-nathan |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=December 29, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times}} Jones claimed she was forced to stop representing Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios due to concerns about Lively revealing misconduct accusations. The lawsuit alleges that Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan, former employees of Jones' public relations firm, conspired for months to undermine Jones and her public relations firm, Jonesworks, by poaching clients and prospects while blaming her for their smear campaign. It cites text messages and emails retrieved from Abel's company-issued phone, obtained after her firing, which coincided with the firm's separation from Baldoni and Wayfarer.
In response to Lively's legal filing, Freedman maintained that the claims were {{qi|completely false}} and also suggested the text messages shared by Jones with The New York Times were {{qi|cherry-picked}} to make his clients look unfavorable.{{Cite news |last1=Twohey |first1=Megan |last2=McIntire |first2=Mike |date=December 24, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni's Ex-Publicist Sues Over Alleged Smear Campaign |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/business/justin-baldoni-publicist-blake-lively-lawsuit.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123160638/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/business/justin-baldoni-publicist-blake-lively-lawsuit.html |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite news |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=December 24, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni Hit With Defamation Suit As PR Teams Turn On Each Other Over Blake Lively's 'It Ends With Us' Smear Campaign Allegations |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-baldoni-defamation-lawsuit-publicist-blake-lively-1236241784/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116074057/https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-baldoni-defamation-lawsuit-publicist-blake-lively-1236241784/ |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |work=Deadline Hollywood}} According to Freedman, the text messages have been presented out of context by Jones and Lively in a way that alters their meaning; he also stated that he has {{qi|never seen this level of unethical behavior intentionally fueled through media manipulation.}}{{Cite news |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=December 27, 2024 |title=Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni Legal Battle Heats Up With Countersuit Over 'It Ends With Us' Fallout |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-legal-complaint-counter-suit-1236243155/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119171528/https://deadline.com/2024/12/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-legal-complaint-counter-suit-1236243155/ |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |access-date=December 29, 2024 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}
Lawsuits
= Baldoni's lawsuit against the ''New York Times'' =
File:Justin Baldoni in 2017.jpg in 2017|241x241px]]
In response, Baldoni filed a libel lawsuit for $250 million against The New York Times accusing it of pushing an {{qi|unverified and self-serving narrative}} using {{qi|cherry-picked and altered communications stripped of necessary context,}} and allegedly ignoring evidence disputing Lively's claims.{{Cite web |last=Cho |first=Winston |date=January 1, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni Files Libel Lawsuit Against New York Times Over Blake Lively Story |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/justin-baldoni-sues-new-york-times-blake-lively-story-1236097268/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120153801/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/justin-baldoni-sues-new-york-times-blake-lively-story-1236097268/ |archive-date=January 20, 2025 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Baldoni's lawyer stated, {{qi|In this vicious smear campaign fully orchestrated by Lively and her team, the New York Times cowered to the wants and whims of two powerful 'untouchable' Hollywood elites, disregarding journalistic practices and ethics once befitting of the revered publication by using doctored and manipulated texts and intentionally omitting texts which dispute their chosen PR narrative.}}
Baldoni's lawsuit states, {{qi|Lively's cynical abuse of sexual harassment allegations to assert unilateral control over every aspect of the production was both strategic and manipulative... Simultaneously, her public image suffered as a result of a series of high-profile blunders, which she tried to deflect by blaming Plaintiffs for the public's prying interest into the foibles of an A-list celebrity. This is nothing but an excuse. Fame is a double-edged sword, but Lively's tactics here are unconscionable.}}{{Cite news |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=January 1, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni sues New York Times for $250 million over Blake Lively story |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/31/entertainment/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-lawsuit/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119171528/https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/31/entertainment/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-lawsuit/index.html |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |work=CNN Entertainment}}
The New York Times defended its actions, stating {{qi|The role of an independent news organization is to follow the facts where they lead. Our 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.}}{{Cite web |last=Siegel |first=Tatiana |date=December 31, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni Files $250 Million Lawsuit Against New York Times Over Blake Lively Story: It Relied on Her 'Self-Serving Narrative' (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/justin-baldoni-sues-new-york-times-blake-lively-allegations-story-1236263099/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123130057/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/justin-baldoni-sues-new-york-times-blake-lively-allegations-story-1236263099/ |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=Variety}}
= Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni =
Following Baldoni's lawsuit against The New York Times, Lively filed a federal lawsuit against Baldoni on December 31, 2024, addressing the same issues she had raised in her complaint to the California Civil Rights Department.{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Tracy |date=January 1, 2025 |title=Blake Lively files official federal lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, looks forward to day in court |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/blake-lively-files-official-federal-lawsuit-against-justin-baldoni-looks-forward-day-court |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126002135/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/blake-lively-files-official-federal-lawsuit-against-justin-baldoni-looks-forward-day-court |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=Fox News}} Journalist Matt Schimkowitz argues, {{qi|ironically, Baldoni's lawsuit all but challenged Lively to do this, arguing that her filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department last week was to avoid scrutiny of a lawsuit. Unfortunately for Baldoni, this latest filing makes much of Baldoni's defenses murkier.}}{{Cite web |title=Blake Lively ends 2024 by officially suing Justin Baldoni |url=https://www.avclub.com/blake-lively-lawsuit-justin-baldoni |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126035115/https://www.avclub.com/blake-lively-lawsuit-justin-baldoni |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=AV Club}}{{how|date=February 2025}}
File:Blake Lively Cannes 2016 2 (cropped).jpg
Lively's representatives directly addressed this being a response to Baldoni's lawsuit, saying, {{qi|This lawsuit is based on the obviously false premise that Ms. Lively's administrative complaint against Wayfarer and others was a ruse based on a choice 'not to file a lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer,' and that 'litigation was never her ultimate goal.' 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's complaint in its entirety. We look forward to addressing each and every one of Wayfarer's allegations in court.}}
Lively's lawsuit alleges that Baldoni and his public relations team orchestrated a sophisticated, multi-tiered campaign to damage her reputation in retaliation for speaking out about sexual misconduct on the film's set. The complaint names Baldoni, his film studio, Wayfarer, and public relations representatives Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel. Lively's legal team claimed that Wayfarer and its associates violated federal and California state law by retaliating against her after she reported sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns. The statement also accused Baldoni of initiating unwelcome physical advances, asserting that when Lively or others avoided his touch, both Baldoni and Heath retaliated by becoming irritated, cold, and uncooperative. Lively claimed she was forced to work in an {{qi|unwelcoming and volatile environment}}.{{Cite web |date=January 2025 |title=Blake Lively Sues 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star and Director Justin Baldoni for Sexual Harassment |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-it-ends-with-us-1236097463/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124125437/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-it-ends-with-us-1236097463/ |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}
On January 23, 2025, Lively's legal team filed an unsuccessful request for a gag order against Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, accusing him of continuing to engage in a smear campaign against Lively by repeatedly revealing information to the press.{{Cite magazine |last1=Cho |first1=Winston |last2=McCLintock |first2=Pamela |date=January 23, 2025 |title=Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Seek Gag Order Against Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Bryan Freedman |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/it-ends-with-us-saga-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-seek-gag-order-bryan-freedman-1236115728/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126073540/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/it-ends-with-us-saga-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-seek-gag-order-bryan-freedman-1236115728/ |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=January 26, 2025 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter}}
= Baldoni's lawsuit against Lively =
In reaction to Lively's lawsuit, Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, told NBC on January 3, 2025, that Baldoni intended to sue Lively.{{sfn|Clayton|2025}}Stump, Scott (January 4, 2025)[https://www.today.com/news/justin-baldoni-attorney-blake-lively-lawsuit-rcna186003 EXCLUSIVE: Justin Baldoni's lawyer says they 'absolutely' plan to sue Blake Lively and release 'every single' text] Today Show. Retrieved on January 4, 2025
On January 16, 2025, Baldoni's attorney filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloan for civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. The 179-page complaint, filed in the Southern District of New York, claims that Lively attempted to hijack control of the film with demands and threats, and despite getting most of what she wanted, decided to accuse Baldoni of a smear campaign, {{qi|to deflect attention and blame for Lively's disastrous misjudgments... Lively would recast herself as the long-suffering martyr by portraying Baldoni and Wayfarer as her persecutors,}} according to the complaint.{{sfn|Wagmeister|2025b}} Baldoni argued that Lively, along with Reynolds and Sloan, engaged in a coordinated effort to damage his reputation, derail his career, and obscure the film's original purpose of highlighting domestic violence awareness.{{cite court|date=January 16, 2025|url=https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/01/justin-baldoni-sues-blake-lively.pdf|litigants=Justin Baldoni et al. v. Blake Lively et al. Complaint|access-date=January 18, 2025|court=United States District Court for the Southern District of New York|archive-date=January 18, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118180941/https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/01/justin-baldoni-sues-blake-lively.pdf|url-status=live}} He also claimed that the smear campaign alleged by Lively did not exist.{{sfn|Wagmeister|2025b}} On January 31, Baldoni filed a 168-page timeline of events, including text messages, to support the assertion that Lively had conducted a smear campaign against him.{{Cite web |title=Justin Baldoni and the Death of Man-Bun Feminism |url=https://www.thefp.com/p/justin-baldoni-man-bun-feminism |access-date=February 20, 2025 |website=thefp.com |publisher=The Free Press}}{{Cite web |title=Case 1:24-cv-10049-LJL, Document 50-1, Filed 01/31/25, EXHIBIT A – The following timeline... |url=https://thelawsuitinfo.com/downloads/timeline-of-relevant-events.pdf |access-date=February 20, 2025 |website=thelawsuitinfo.com |publisher=U.S. District Court for the Southern District New York}}
== Taylor Swift ==
File:191125 Taylor Swift at the 2019 American Music Awards.png, Lively's friend, in his lawsuit and attempted to subpoena her as a witness.]]
Baldoni's lawsuit also claimed that Lively had utilized Reynolds and the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, Lively's close friend, to pressure Baldoni into accepting one of her rewrites for the film. The complaint alleged that Baldoni texted Lively after feeling pressured stating her changes made the scene {{qi|more fun and interesting}}, and that he {{qi|would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor}}. Lively responded to his text by referring to Reynolds and Swift as her {{qi|dragons}} and {{qi|most trusted partners}} who have been {{qi|by my side for far too many experiences where I've been overlooked}}, according to the complaint.{{Cite magazine |last=VanHoose |first=Benjamin |date=January 16, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni Claims Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Swift Pressured Him to Accept Blake Lively's It Ends With Us Rewrite: Complaint |url=https://people.com/justin-baldoni-claims-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-taylor-swift-pressured-him-8775745 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427032150/https://people.com/justin-baldoni-claims-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-taylor-swift-pressured-him-8775745 |archive-date=April 27, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |magazine=People}}{{Cite magazine |last=Chiu |first=Melody |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Taylor Swift's Rep Slams Singer's Subpoena in Justin Baldoni-Blake Lively Legal Case with Fiery Statement |url=https://people.com/taylor-swift-rep-slams-subpoena-justin-baldoni-blake-lively-legal-case-11732502 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510004031/https://people.com/taylor-swift-rep-slams-subpoena-justin-baldoni-blake-lively-legal-case-11732502 |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |magazine=People}} On May 9, 2025, Swift was subpoenaed by Baldoni's attorney as a witness in the case. A spokesperson for Swift denied that she had any involvement with the film beyond licensing her song "My Tears Ricochet" to be used, as did 19 other artists. The spokesperson added: {{qi|This document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift's name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.}}{{Cite web |last1=Wagmiester |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Heching |first2=Dan |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Taylor Swift Subpoenaed in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Case |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/09/entertainment/taylor-swift-subpoenaed-lively-baldoni-case |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510001034/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/09/entertainment/taylor-swift-subpoenaed-lively-baldoni-case |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |publisher=CNN |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bernabe |first=Angeline Jane |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Taylor Swift Spokesperson Responds to Subpoena in Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni Legal Feud |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/taylor-swift-spokesperson-responds-subpoena-blake-lively-justin-121657970 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510092158/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/taylor-swift-spokesperson-responds-subpoena-blake-lively-justin-121657970 |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |website=Good Morning America |language=en-US}}
On May 14, 2025, Baldoni's attorney wrote a letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman claiming that a {{qi|source who is highly likely to have reliable information}} informed him that Lively's attorney threatened Swift's attorney to disclose {{qi|private text messages of a personal nature}} if Swift fails to {{qi|release a statement of support}} for Lively. The letter also alleged that Lively asked Swift to delete their text messages from the past {{qi|four or five months}}.{{Cite magazine |last=VanHoose |first=Benjamin |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Blake Lively Threatened to Leak Taylor Swift Texts If Singer Didn't Publicly Support Her, Claim Justin Baldoni's Lawyers |url=https://people.com/blake-lively-threatened-taylor-swift-support-justin-baldoni-claims-11733062 |access-date=May 16, 2025 |magazine=People |archive-date=May 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515045957/https://people.com/blake-lively-threatened-taylor-swift-support-justin-baldoni-claims-11733062 |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last1=VanHoose |first1=Benjamin |last2=Rosner |first2=Elizabeth |date=May 15, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Doubles Down, Claims Blake Lively Pressured Taylor Swift for Public Support After Super Bowl Absence |url=https://people.com/justin-baldoni-double-down-claim-blake-lively-pressured-taylor-swift-support-11735632 |access-date=May 16, 2025 |magazine=People}} Lively's attorney denied the allegations as {{qi|unequivocally and demonstrably false}} and asked Liman to strike the letter.{{Cite magazine |last=Drury |first=Sharareh |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Blake Lively's Lawyers Accuse Justin Baldoni's Team of 'Abusing' Legal Process In Response to Alleged Taylor Swift Threat |url=https://people.com/blake-lively-legal-team-accuses-justin-baldoni-team-of-misconduct-11735054 |access-date=May 16, 2025 |magazine=People |archive-date=May 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515031254/https://people.com/blake-lively-legal-team-accuses-justin-baldoni-team-of-misconduct-11735054 |url-status=live }} The following day, Baldoni's attorney filed a sworn affidavit to attest to his claims. Both filings were striken by Liman, who wrote in his order, {{qi|the sole purpose of the letter is to 'promote public scandal' by advancing inflammatory accusations, on information and belief, against Lively and her counsel}}. Liman also warned Baldoni's team that they will receive sanctions if the court is misused any further.{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=May 15, 2025 |title=More Than A Simple Favor: Judge Grants Blake Lively's Request To Have 'Improper' Taylor Swift Bullying Claims Tossed Out |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/blake-lively-taylor-swift-bullying-claims-dismissed-by-judge-1236399580/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=Deadline Hollywood }} Baldoni subsequently withdrew his request to subpoena Swift.{{Cite web |last=Gularte |first=Alejandra |date=2025-05-22 |title=Taylor Swift No Longer Subpoenaed in Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Lawsuit |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/taylor-swift-subpoena-dropped-blake-lively-justin-baldoni.html |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Vulture |language=en}}
= Gag order request =
On January 22, 2025, after Baldoni's team released footage from the set that they assert contradicts a major claim in Lively's lawsuit,{{clarify|What does the footage depict? What does it contradict?|date=March 2025}}{{Cite web |last1=McClintock |first1=Pamela |last2=Thomas |first2=Carly |date=January 22, 2025 |title='It Ends With Us' Legal Feud Takes New Turn as Both Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Say Leaked Footage Proves Their Point |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/it-ends-with-us-legal-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-leaked-set-footage-1236114412/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205075738/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/it-ends-with-us-legal-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-leaked-set-footage-1236114412/ |archive-date=February 5, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Lively requested a gag order against Justin Baldoni and his representation. Lively claimed that Baldoni's lawyer had leaked information regarding her, describing it as a {{qi|continuation of the initial retaliation harassment}} she wrote about in her first complaint.{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=Bethy |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Request Gag Order Against Justin Baldoni's Lawyer |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/it-ends-with-us-gag-order-footage-leak.html |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=Vulture}}{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Olivia |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Request Gag Order for Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Over "Improper Conduct" |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1412459/blake-lively-and-ryan-reynolds-request-gag-order-for-justin-baldonis-lawyer-over-improper-conduct |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204142131/https://www.eonline.com/news/1412459/blake-lively-and-ryan-reynolds-request-gag-order-for-justin-baldonis-lawyer-over-improper-conduct |archive-date=February 4, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=E! Online}} Sources for Baldoni said, it would be {{qi|grossly unfair to impose a gag order after Justin has been defamed by The New York Times in an article that they say has cost him three jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars.}}{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Winston Cho,Pamela |date=January 23, 2025 |title=Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Seek Gag Order Against Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Bryan Freedman |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/it-ends-with-us-saga-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-seek-gag-order-bryan-freedman-1236115728/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126073540/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/it-ends-with-us-saga-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-seek-gag-order-bryan-freedman-1236115728/ |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} The judge denied the gag order request.{{Cite web |last1=Reiss |first1=Adam |last2=Melas |first2=Chloe |last3=Arkin |first3=Daniel |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Judge in 'It Ends With Us' case warns Lively's and Baldoni's lawyers about public comments |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-court-hearing-rcna190529 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205225536/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-court-hearing-rcna190529 |archive-date=February 5, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=NBC News}}{{Cite web |last=Knapp |first=J. D. |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively Both Pleased After 'It Ends With Us' Hearing Ends Without Gag Orders |url=https://www.thewrap.com/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-hearing-no-gag-order/ |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=TheWrap}} Justin Baldoni launched a website called The Lawsuit Info in February 2025, which presents his complaint and a timeline of the events.{{Cite web |last=Moorman |first=Taijuan |title=Justin Baldoni launches website, more alleged texts with Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/02/02/justin-baldoni-website-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds/78155842007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206171131/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/02/02/justin-baldoni-website-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds/78155842007/ |archive-date=February 6, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=USA TODAY}}
= Motions to dismiss =
On February 20, 2025, Blake Lively's public relations representative, Leslie Sloane, filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's lawsuit, arguing that her alleged defamatory statements that the {{qi|whole cast doesn't like Justin,}} {{qi|the whole cast hates him}} and {{qi|Blake was sexually assaulted}} were either opinions that couldn't be subject to a defamation claim or were substantially true.{{Cite web |last=Cho |first=Winston |date=February 20, 2025 |title=Blake Lively's PR Rep Moves to Dismiss Justin Baldoni Lawsuit |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/blake-lively-pr-rep-moves-to-dismiss-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-1236142111/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221135721/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/blake-lively-pr-rep-moves-to-dismiss-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-1236142111/ |archive-date=February 21, 2025 |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} According to Sloane's attorneys, {{qi|The Wayfarer Parties dragged Leslie Sloane and Vision PR, Inc. into the instant litigation as a smoke and mirrors exercise to distract from their own sexual harassment and systematic retaliation}}.{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=February 20, 2025 |title=Slamming Justin Baldoni's "Smoke & Mirrors Exercise," Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds' PR Chief Wants Out Of 'It Ends With Us' Legal Battle |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/lively-baldoni-latest-pr-exec-wants-out-1236296269/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} On March 6, Baldoni asked the judge to deny Sloane's motion, arguing that {{qi|In a desperate effort to salvage Lively's reputation and to escape her wrath, the Sloane Parties conspired with Lively and Consolidated Defendants Ryan Reynolds ("Reynolds") and The New York Times Company ("New York Times") to make scapegoats of the Wayfarer Parties for Lively's woes}}.{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=March 8, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni Says Blake Lively's Publicist Leslie Sloane Made Him Scapegoat For Client's "Woes" And Shouldn't Be Permitted To Exit Case |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/justin-baldoni-scapegoat-blake-lively-publicist-1236314078/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308144933/https://deadline.com/2025/03/justin-baldoni-scapegoat-blake-lively-publicist-1236314078/ |archive-date=March 8, 2025 |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
On February 28, the New York Times filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's claim against it, arguing that {{qi|the only thing the Times is, in fact, alleged to have done is engage in newsgathering and publishing an Article and Video about the Wayfarer/Lively dispute}}.{{Cite web |last=Cho |first=Winston |date=February 28, 2025 |title=The New York Times Moves to Dismiss Justin Baldoni's Defamation Lawsuit |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/new-york-times-justin-baldoni-defamation-lawsuit-1236151000/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} On March 4, the judge granted the NYT's request for stay of discovery pending a decision on its motion to dismiss, saying that the newspaper had offered {{qi|substantial grounds for dismissal}} and {{qi|a strong showing that its motion to dismiss is likely to succeed on the merits}} and that {{qi|The Wayfarer Parties are unlikely to be unfairly prejudiced by a stay while the Court decides the pending motion}}.{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2025 |title=Judge signals he may dismiss NY Times from $400 million Baldoni-Lively defamation case |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/judge-signals-he-may-dismiss-ny-times-400-million-baldoni-lively-defamation-case-2025-03-04/ |website=reuters.com}}{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=March 4, 2025 |title=Stop The Discovery! New York Times Granted Win In Blake Lively Vs. Justin Baldoni Clash As Dismissal Pondered By Judge |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-new-york-times-baldoni-1236311017/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} On March 14, Baldoni opposed the motion, arguing that {{qi|The NYT went past merely reporting on Plaintiff Blake Lively's ("Lively") California Civil Rights Department Complaint ("CRD Complaint") and actively vouched for the veracity of its false narrative.}}{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni Insists "Pietistic" New York Times Stay In Blake Lively Clash; Gray Lady Wants Dismissal |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-latest-new-york-times-1236328752/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
On March 18, Ryan Reynolds filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's claim against him, arguing that {{qi|The entirety of Plaintiffs' defamation claim appears to be based on two times that Mr. Reynolds allegedly called Mr. Baldoni a 'predator'}},{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Ryan Reynolds Slams Justin Baldoni's $400M "Gossip Rag" Suit As 'Deadpool' Star Moves For Dismissal |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-ryan-reynolds-2-1236330042/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320215613/https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-ryan-reynolds-2-1236330042/ |archive-date=March 20, 2025 |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} which couldn't be subject to a defamation claim because, according to Reynolds lawyers, {{qi|allegations suggest that Mr. Reynolds genuinely, perhaps passionately, believes that Mr. Baldoni's behavior is reflective of a 'predator,'}} and {{qi|[T]he law establishes that calling someone a 'predator' amounts to constitutionally protected opinion… While Mr. Baldoni 'may not appreciate being called' a predator, those hurt feelings do not give rise to legal claims.}}{{Cite web |last=Maddaus |first=Gene |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Ryan Reynolds Says Justin Baldoni Can't Sue Him Over 'Hurt Feelings' |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/ryan-reynolds-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-hurt-feelings-1236340790/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} According to the lawyers, Baldoni's lawsuit {{qi|is long on hyperbole, prose, and "claims," but devoid of any facts necessary to state ones recognized by law.}}{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Ryan Reynolds Slams Justin Baldoni's $400M "Gossip Rag" Suit As 'Deadpool' Star Moves For Dismissal |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-ryan-reynolds-2-1236330042/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=March 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320215613/https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-ryan-reynolds-2-1236330042/ |url-status=live }}
On March 20, Blake Lively filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's claim against her, invoking a 2023 California law prohibiting weaponizing defamation lawsuits against {{qi|communication[s] made by an individual, without malice, regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination}}. According to the actress's lawyers, {{qi|Wayfarer Parties' vengeful and rambling lawsuit against Blake Lively is a profound abuse of the legal process that has no place in federal court.}}{{Cite news |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=March 20, 2025 |title=Blake Lively Joins Ryan Reynolds, NYT In Wanting Justin Baldoni's $400M Suit Kicked To The Curb, With A California Twist |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-ryan-reynolds-latest-dismissal-1236345498/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |work=Deadline |language=en-US}}
References
{{reflist}}
Sources
- {{Official website|https://thelawsuitinfo.com|Justin Baldoni's lawsuit website}}
- {{Cite web |last=Clayton |first=Abené |date=January 4, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni plans to sue Blake Lively after she accused him of harassment |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jan/03/justin-baldoni-lawsuit-against-blake-lively |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=The Guardian}}
- {{Cite news |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=January 16, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni sues Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for $400 million, alleging Hollywood power couple sought to 'destroy' him |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/16/entertainment/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-lawsuit/index.html |access-date=January 16, 2025 |work=CNN Entertainment |ref={{sfnref|Wagmeister|2025b}}}}
- {{Cite news |last=Wagmiester |first=Elizabeth |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Taylor Swift subpoenaed in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni case |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/09/entertainment/taylor-swift-subpoenaed-lively-baldoni-case |access-date=May 9, 2025 |work=CNN Entertainment |language=en-US}}
{{Taylor Swift}}
Category:2024 controversies in the United States