A Turn in the Lively-Baldoni Drama: Blake Drops Two Emotional Distress Charges Against Justin
Justin Baldoni faces dropped allegations by Blake Lively
The rollercoaster ride of the feud between actress Blake Lively and her former co-star, Justin Baldoni, takes another twist. Lively is reportedly set to retract two claims of emotional distress against Baldoni, dropping charges of "intentional infliction of mental anguish" and "negligent infliction of mental anguish".
The legal team of the Gossip Girl star, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, view Baldoni's move as a publicity stunt, aiming to "streamline the case and focus." They've asserted that mental anguish will still be addressed in other parts of the lawsuit. In response, Baldoni's attorneys have remained tight-lipped.
The court is now debating the release of Lively's medical records, with Baldoni's team requesting access to therapy notes among other documents. Lively's lawyers have branded the request as a manipulative tactic and a ploy to grab headlines.
Behind the Scenes Lively vs. Baldoni: A Summary of the Ongoing Saga
The turbulent tale began during the filming of the movie "It Ends with Us," where Lively and Baldoni played leading roles and Baldoni directed. The film was released in the summer of 2024, and in December, Lively filed a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Shortly after, she filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and a suspected smear campaign against her. Baldoni denies these allegations and countersued with a whopping $400 million lawsuit, accusing Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of defamation and extortion. The trial date is set for March 2026.
On the Side Emotional Distress Claims: What's the Current Status?
Recent developments in the case include Blake Lively officially withdrawing two claims of emotional distress against Justin Baldoni. Lively's legal team has chosen to withdraw these claims, despite pressure to disclose medical and mental health records. A formal motion for dismissal is required if Lively’s team wishes to proceed with the dismissal without prejudice, which would allow her to potentially refile allegations of emotional distress in the future. As of now, the judge, U.S. District Court Judge Lewis J. Liman, has not yet made a final decision.
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Sources: ntv.de, als/spot, and additional research.
I'm not sure if the revelation of the dropped charges is an honest effort to streamline the case or a strategic move to generate more entertainment surrounding the ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Regardless, it seems that the controversy involving the emotional distress claims against Baldoni, amidst the larger allegations of sexual harassment, continues to dominate Hollywood headlines, stirring widespread interest in the events unfolding within thecinema industry.
