The Dramatic Turn in the Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni Saga: Defamation Claim Dismissed
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Dismissal of Slander Lawsuit by Richard - Defamation case dismissed by judge
The rollercoaster ride in the legal drama between Blake Lively (37) and Justin Baldoni (41) takes yet another unexpected twist: A New York court has dismissed Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against his "Only Once More" co-star (originally titled as "It Ends With Us") and her husband, Ryan Reynolds (48). Reports indicate that the judge, Lewis Liman, found that Baldoni failed to present substantial evidence for his claims.
Baldoni had pursued a whopping $400 million in damages due to alleged defamation following Lively's public accusations of sexual harassment. However, Judge Lewis J. Liman declared that Lively's statements fell under the protection of law, thereby making them non-actionable. The dismissal includes not only the defamation lawsuit but also other accusations such as alleged blackmail. Judge Liman left open only a minor point regarding potential future "unjustified contract interference" claims.
For Blake Lively, this court decision signifies a decisive victory, as stated by her legal team: "The ruling today represents a complete victory and a total vindication for Blake Lively, as well as everyone drawn into Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer's retaliatory lawsuit - including Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane, and the 'New York Times.'" They will now examine recovery of legal fees and damages, including punitive damages, against Baldoni and others involved.
Lively had initially filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and retaliation on set. She contends that Baldoni, in conjunction with Wayfarer Studios, launched a smear campaign against her following her complaint.
Dropped lawsuit against "New York Times"
Baldoni had also pursued a lawsuit against the "New York Times" for reporting on the case. Judge Liman, however, deemed there was no basis for a defamation lawsuit, as the reporting was covered under the "Fair Report Privilege" - a legal shield allowing media to report on ongoing or filed legal proceedings without fear of defamation claims.
A representative of the newspaper welcomed the ruling, stating: "We are grateful that the court has recognized the lawsuit against the 'New York Times' for what it was: a baseless attempt to stifle honest reporting. Our journalists have reported on an essential story with utmost care and fairness."
California law protection
Diving deeper into the judge's decision, it was found that the initial allegations against Baldoni were made within the context of an official complaint lodged with the California Civil Rights Bureau - thus falling under the "Litigation Privilege." This privilege shields legal statements from defamation lawsuits.
Similarly, Ryan Reynolds' private comments, in which he allegedly branded Baldoni as a "sexual predator," were also deemed protected, as Reynolds relied on Lively's portrayal. The same is true for Lively's PR agent, Leslie Sloane, who, according to the ruling, simply followed Lively's account of events when speaking to the media.
Awaiting Lively's suit trial in 2026
The trial for Blake Lively's lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios is scheduled for March 2026. As of now, it remains unclear whether Baldoni will seek to refile revised claims by then or if this chapter is truly behind him.
- Justin Baldoni
- Blake Lively
- Defamation Lawsuit
- Ryan Reynolds
- New York
- New York Times
- US Dollars
- Slander
- The dismissal of Justin Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds is a significant event in the ongoing legal saga, marking a victory for the celebrities involved in the pop-culture spotlight.
- The entertainment industry continues to closely watch the unfolding drama between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, with the upcoming trial in 2026 set to shed more light on the allegations and counter-accusations.
