Baldoni's distress claims potentially face dismissal, hinting at Blake Lively's possible withdrawal.
Blake Lively's legal drama with Justin Baldoni takes an unexpected twist as she moves to scrap two emotional distress charges against the actor-director. The surprising development comes to light after a letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman, obtained by Variety, revealed Lively's intention to drop the intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress claims.
According to Baldoni's legal team, Lively’s decision to withdraw the claims was prompted after their request for her medical records during the discovery process. In response, they've requested a HIPAA release to access Lively's therapy notes and other medical documents, claiming they are crucial to their case.
"Ms. Lively wants to simultaneously, refuse to disclose the information and documents needed to disprove that she suffered any emotional distress and/or that the Wayfarer Parties were the cause, and maintain the right to re-file her IED Claims at an unknown time in this or some other court after the discovery window has closed," the filing read.
However, Lively's attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, countered the claims, alleging that the request for medical records is merely a media stunt. "The Baldoni-Wayfarer strategy of filing retaliatory claims has exposed them to expansive new damages claims under California law," they said in a statement.
The rift between Lively and Baldoni, who starred together in It Ends With Us, began in December 2024 when Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, a hostile work environment, and an orchestrated smear campaign. Baldoni vehemently denied the allegations and shot back with a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane.
The trial is set for March 9, 2026, and it remains to be seen whether Lively will refile the emotional distress claims or if the dismissal will become final without prejudice, allowing her to revisit the issue at a later date.
[1] Lively Drops Emotional Distress Charges Against Baldoni, But Not for Long?[2] Judge Liman Denies Request for Lively's Medical Records in Baldoni Case
- Blake Lively, the actress known for films like 'It Ends With Us' with Ryan Reynolds, has dropped two emotional distress charges against Justin Baldoni, her co-star, in a dramatic turn of events in their legal dispute.
- The unexpected move by Lively comes after her lawyers revealed in a letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman that she plans to withdraw the intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress claims against Baldoni.
- However, the dismissal of the charges may not be final, as Lively's attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, have suggested that they might re-file the claims at a later date.
- The ongoing legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, which began with allegations of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment, has caused a significant stir in the world of entertainment and celebrities, with updates regularly emerging in publications like Variety and USA Today.
