Actress Blake Lively seeks to dismiss two accusations levied against her.
New Twist in legal sweep between Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and "It Ends with Us"
The heated legal battle between Blake Lively (37) and her former co-star Justin Baldoni (41) shows no signs of cooling down. According to recent reports in the U.S., Lively aims to withdraw two of her accusations against the actor and director. Per industry magazine "Variety," these allegations involve charges of "intentional infliction of emotional distress" and "negligent infliction of emotional distress."
Baldoni's legal team has requested access to medical records to refute claims of wrongdoing, including causing "severe emotional distress and pain." In response, they've asked for the disclosure of therapy notes and other relevant documentation. Instead, Lively's lawyers communicated to Baldoni's camp that their client wants to drop these allegations.
Some legal analysts view this move as a "publicity stunt" by Baldoni's side, designed to distract from the core issues and accelerate the court process. Legal experts note that emotional distress will still be tackled as part of other charges in the lawsuit. Baldoni's team chose not to comment on the matter.
What's Going On?
The court is now expected to make a decision following the disclosure of medical records. In U.S. courts, such requests for medical documentation are standard in such cases. The feud between Lively and Baldoni is linked to six lawsuits overall.
The controversy started during the production of the movie "It Ends with Us," in which Lively and Baldoni starred, with Baldoni directing as well. The film hit theaters in the summer of 2024, and in December, Lively filed a complaint with the California agency for civil rights. This was followed by a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign against her. Baldoni denies these allegations and counter-sued for $400 million, accusing Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds (48) of defamation and extortion, among other things. A trial is scheduled for March 2026.
Key Facts:
- Emotional Distress Claims: Lively wants to drop the claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. However, a federal judge has ruled that these claims can't be dismissed without both parties agreeing to the motion[1][2].
- Sexual Harassment Allegations: Lively initially accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, but the emotional distress claims are being re-evaluated while the sexual harassment allegations remain in the broader legal case[4].
- Defamation Claims: There's no recent information concerning defamation claims[3].
- Trial: The trial is scheduled for March 9, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, with Judge Liman instructing both parties to negotiate the terms regarding dismissal of claims[1][3].
In the ongoing legal battle, Blake Lively may be resorting to dropping certain emotional distress claims against Justin Baldoni, a move that some legal analysts perceive as a strategic ploy for publicity. Regardless, entertainment news outlets continue to follow this high-profile feud involving celebrities Lively and Baldoni, as it unfolds in the courtroom and the broader entertainment industry.
