US Court Rejects Justin Baldoni’s Defamation Claims Against Blake Lively, Latter’s Lawyer Calls It Total Victory
A U.S. federal judge has dismissed a 650 million lawsuit filed by actor-director Justin Baldoni against Blake Lively!
A U.S. federal judge has dismissed a 650 million lawsuit filed by actor-director Justin Baldoni against Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times. The suit alleged defamation, conspiracy, and extortion following public accusations of misconduct made during the fallout of the 2024 film It Ends With Us.
Justin Baldoni’s Lawsuit Against Blake Lively Dismissed
The case was dismissed on Monday by Judge Lewis J. Liman of the Southern District of New York. According to court documents, the judge ruled that the statements made by Blake Lively were limited to a complaint she filed with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), which is protected under litigation privilege. This legal protection shields individuals from being sued over statements made in the course of official legal proceedings. The ruling also noted that while Baldoni accused Reynolds, Sloane, and The New York Times of further defamatory remarks, the claims lacked the necessary evidence to support a continuing case. The court found no factual basis linking the defendants to a coordinated effort to damage Baldoni’s reputation beyond the protected CRD complaint.
For the unversed, Justin Baldoni had filed the lawsuit in January 2025, accusing Blake Lively and others of launching a public and media-driven campaign to destroy his professional standing. The legal dispute emerged shortly after allegations of misconduct were reported during the post-production phase of It Ends With Us. The lawsuit claimed those allegations were false and strategically leaked. Baldoni sought 400 million in damages for alleged reputational harm and an additional 250 million for punitive damages. The complaint alleged that the defendants used media platforms to defame him and his company, Wayfarer Studios, and to influence public opinion.
Following the court’s decision, Blake Lively shared a statement on Instagram, saying she had personally experienced how retaliatory lawsuits can be used to intimidate and shame those who speak out. She added that while she had the resources to defend herself, many women do not, and she pledged continued support for survivors of workplace harassment and abuse. Blake Lively also posted a list of legal and advocacy organisations providing support to those facing similar challenges, including CHILD USA and the California Employment Lawyers Association.
Blake Lively’s attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, called the ruling a total victory and complete vindication for their client. They emphasized that the lawsuit was without merit and accused Baldoni of attempting to weaponize the legal system against individuals who challenged his behavior.
As of now, there has been no official response from Justin Baldoni’s legal team regarding the dismissal.
First Published: June 10, 2025 9:26 AM
