In a recent court ruling, Judge Decides in Favor of Justin Baldoni Amid Legal Tussle with Blake Lively, Leaving Her Challenges Unaddressed
Washin' Up the Drama: Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni's Brawl
Folks, buckle up! The legal showdown between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is heating up, and it's getting messier by the day. This Hollywood feud, sprouting from the set of 'It Ends with Us', has been making headlines since December 2024.
In a surprising twist, a federal judge has thrown a spanner in the works for Lively, denying her request to drop her emotional distress claims against Baldoni. The judge, Lewis J. Liman, has made it clear that unless both parties agree, Lively cannot dismiss these claims without prejudice. This means Lively's legal team can still revive these claims if they choose.
Lively's legal team, led by lawyers Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, seem unfazed by the judge's decision. They've made it clear that Lively is still pursuing emotional distress damages through other claims, including allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation.
Baldoni and his team have responded with a counter claim, accusing Lively's team of using these emotional distress claims as a tactic to avoid revealing sensitive information. But Lively's team insists that dropping the emotional distress claims is just a part of streamlining the case for trial.
The legal battle between these two Hollywood heavyweights has taken a toll. Lively's allegations of mistreatment during the production of 'It Ends with Us' have raised eyebrows, especially since the film deals with serious themes of domestic violence.
Rumors of tension during the press tour and premiere have added fuel to the fire, and it seems a settlement isn't in sight. With the trial set to begin on March 9, 2025, in New York City, this Hollywood drama is set to unfold in the coming months.
Interestingly, the trial will take place in the same courthouse where the high-profile sex-trafficking case against Sean 'Diddy' Combs is being heard. So, it seems the judge's gavel is in for a busy start to the year!
For the Record: Lively's lawsuit includes a series of allegations, with emotional distress claims being withdrawn without prejudice by her team. Yet, Lively is still pursuing emotional distress damages through other claims, such as sexual harassment and retaliation. Baldoni, on the other hand, has denied all allegations and counter-sued for defamation, with potential damages exceeding $400 million.
[1] https://variety.com/2023/film/news/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-1235405700/[2] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/blake-lively-lawsuit-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-set-1235423315/[3] https://www.TMZ.com/2023/02/14/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-its-ends-with-us-sexual-harassment-trial-set/
Celebrities Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are entwined in a contentious legal battle, with their ongoing feud from the set of 'It Ends with Us' dominating pop-culture discourse. Amidst accusations of emotional distress, sexual harassment, and retaliation, their trial, set to commence in March 2025, promises to be a significant event in the realm of entertainment.
