Lawsuit Filed by Justin Baldoni against Blake Lively for $400 Million Declined by Court
Fox Nation Live: Sets Sights on Blockbuster Legal Tussle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
Get ready to tune in this Thursday, March 6th as Fox Nation premieres 'Blake vs. Justin: It Didn't End With Us'. A recent turn of events has seen a judge dismiss Justin Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit filed against Blake Lively, her hubby Ryan Reynolds, and others.
Baldoni's allegations involved claims of defamation, accusing Lively of falsely accusing him of sexual harassment in an attempt to mend her image following the calamity surrounding the "It Ends With Us" press tour. The controversy arose when Lively allegedly took control over the film.
"The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her CRD complaint, which are privileged," Judge Lewis Liman stated in an opinion obtained by Digital, "The Wayfarer Parties have alleged that Reynolds and [publicist Leslie] Sloane made additional statements accusing Baldoni of sexual misconduct, and that the Times made additional statements accusing the Wayfarer Parties of engaging in a smear campaign. But the Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Reynolds, Sloane or the Times would have seriously doubted these statements were true based on the information available to them..."
Consequently, the judge also ruled that Baldoni's "additional claims also fail", leaving no choice but to dismiss the lawsuit in its entirety.
*Lively Shelves Emotional Distress Claims Against Baldoni*
In contrast, in December 2024, Lively made a move, detailing allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and more against Baldoni, fellow producer Jamey Heath, and others. Lively initially filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights department and later pursued it in court.
Baldoni, in response, alleged that Lively had "falsely" accused him to preserve her reputation following the fallout of the movie's press tour. Baldoni's legal team insisted that Lively had no tangible proof of a deliberate smear campaign and instead took steps to clear her name by accusing Baldoni and others of sexual harassment.
*Lively Slams Baldoni's 'Dark Campaign' Against Her, Demands Dismissal of Lawsuit*
After the recent dismissal, it's been all smiles for the Lively and Reynolds camp. The couple's legal team voiced their satisfaction, as stated in a Digital interview, "Today's opinion is a total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit, including Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times."
As things move forward, the team seeks not only to recover attorney fees, but also treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni and his associates.
So there you have it, folks. A thrilling saga of power, fame, and an unending legal battle unfolds right before our eyes. Will Blake Lively find justice, or will Justin Baldoni double down? Stay tuned as the battle continues to unfold.
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The rivalry escalated late in 2024, with Lively filing a lawsuit against Baldoni for sexual harassment, orchestrated smear campaigns, and other misconduct, while Baldoni countered with a defamation claim against Lively and others. The case has gained significant media attention thanks to the high-profile personalities involved, with the latest development being the dismissal of Baldoni's $400 million countersuit. Despite this setback, Lively's original lawsuit remains ongoing.
| Timeline | Description || --- | --- || Dec 2024 | Lively files a lawsuit against Baldoni for sexual harassment, smear campaigns, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and more. || Dec 2024 - Jun 2025 | Baldoni countersues Lively, Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane with a $400 million lawsuit, including defamation claims against The New York Times. || Jun 10, 2025 | Federal judge dismisses Baldoni’s countersuit. || Jun 12, 2025 (update) | Lively’s suit proceeding, team seeks to subpoena Scooter Braun and his company HYPE America for evidence. |
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Sources:[1] Yaniv Dichter & Chauncey Alcorn, Judge dismisses $400M defamation case brought against Blake Lively by Justin Baldoni, Digital, Jun 12, 2025.[2] Michał Rachlin & Erik Pedersen, Blake Lively Accuses Justin Baldoni of Sexual Harassment, Claims +$400M Lawsuit is 'Retaliation', Deadline, Jan 20, 2025, updated Mar 15, 2025.[3] Erik Pedersen, Judge Dismisses Justin Baldoni's $400M Defamation Suit Against Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds, Deadline, Jun 10, 2025.
In the legal battles between celebrities Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, the latest opinion by a judge dismissed Baldoni's $400 million defamation lawsuit, leaving the entertainment industry questioning the truth behind Lively's allegations of sexual harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress against Baldoni. The dismissal of Baldoni's lawsuit has sparked a heated debate among fans, with many now eagerly awaiting the outcome of Lively's original claims against Baldoni and his associates.
