Blake Lively Relents in Legal Battle Against Justin Baldoni: Drops "Mental Anguish" Claims
Actress Blake Lively retracts two accusations against Justin Baldoni
The rollercoaster ride between 'Gossip Girl' actress Blake Lively and her ex-co-star Justin Baldoni just took a twist, as sources confirm Lively has ousted two of her charges against the actor-director. TMZ reports that Lively's legal eagles are ditching accusations regarding the "intentional infliction of emotional distress" and the "negligent infliction of emotional distress."
Industry publication 'Variety' reveals this dramatic turn follows Baldoni's team's plea for access to Lively's private medical records to solidify their defense against allegations of causing "severe emotional turmoil." The team also sought Lively's confidential therapy notes and other confidential documents. However, the actress' lawyers weren't keen on sharing these records, demanding the requests were nothing more than a PR stunt by the defending party.
Lively's Attorneys: A Publicity Blitz, Not Progress
According to Lively's lawyers, Mike Gottlieb, and Esra Hudson, the requests were merely a desperate attempt to garner attention, and break ground in their favor. The legal team further elaborated their stance, stating that the decision to relent on the emotional distress claims was part of a strategy to streamline their case and hone in on the core issues at hand. Despite the moratorium on discussing emotional distress, it's still very much a frontline concern in the ongoing lawsuit.
Thus far, Baldoni's camp has remained tight-lipped about Lively's decision to drop the emotional distress charges. The court now grapples with determining whether Lively must indeed hand over her private records or if her refusal to sign a HIPAA release legitimizes her decision.
The Perpetual Feud Over 'It Ends With Us'
The long-standing feud between Lively and Baldoni originated during the filming of "It Ends With Us," where both shared screen time and Baldoni sat in the director's chair. The film hit theaters in the summer of 2024, and in December, Lively made headlines with her allegations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign against her. Baldoni, for his part, denies the accusations and has counterclaimed, accusing Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds of defamation and extortion, a lawsuit totaling a whopping $400 million.
The duo's trial date is scheduled for March 2026, leaving fans on tenterhooks. The legal clash began when Lively filed a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, soon followed by her lawsuit. The two cases form part of a seemingly endless six-lawsuit saga between Lively and Baldoni.
[1] Entertainment Weekly, "Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni Legal Clash: The Deep-Seated Dispute," 14 Jan 2025[2] The Hollywood Reporter, "Blake Lively's Mental Anguish Drop: Key Points in the Lively-Baldoni Battle," 21 Feb 2025
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"I'm not sure if the dropping of the emotional distress claims by Blake Lively's legal team in her legal battle against Justin Baldoni is a sign of the entertainment industry's influence on pop-culture, as the case revolves around celebrities like Lively and Baldoni."
"Discussion about the feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, rooted in their collaborations on projects like 'It Ends With Us,' is often found in entertainment media, highlighting the intersection of celebrities, pop-culture, and legal battles."
