Court Throws Out Justin Baldoni's Lawsuit Against Blake Lively: Insufficient Evidence
Lawsuit filed by Justin Baldoni against Blake Lively is rejected by the court.
In a surprising turn of events, the defamation lawsuit filed by actor Justin Baldoni against Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds has been dismissed by a New York judge. The judgment stems from Baldoni's failure to provide enough evidence to support his allegations of reputational harm and other accusations.
Baldoni initially sought a staggering $400 million in damages after Lively publicly accused him of sexual harassment. However, Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that Lively's assertions were legally protected and, therefore, not actionable. Not only did Judge Liman dismiss the defamation lawsuit, but he also quashed the allegations of blackmail. The judge left only a minor point open, which allows Baldoni to potentially refile an amended lawsuit concerning "unjustified contract interference."
For Blake Lively, this victory is a major triumph, with her lawyers stating, "Today's decision is a complete victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively...". Lively had originally filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of the film "Just One More Time". She alleges that Baldoni, in collaboration with Wayfarer Studios, launched a smear campaign against her after her complaint.
Farewell to the "New York Times" Lawsuit
In addition to the lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, Baldoni also pursued a case against the "New York Times" for reporting on the matter. Judge Liman, however, discerned no basis for a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper. The reporting was shielded by the "Fair Report Privilege," a legal provision that safeguards media entities from being held liable for potential reputational damage arising from their reporting of ongoing or filed legal proceedings.
A representative for the newspaper voiced their gratitude for the ruling: "We are grateful that the court recognized the lawsuit against the 'New York Times' for what it was: a baseless attempt to stifle honest reporting."
Meanwhile, Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios is scheduled for trial in March 2026. It remains to be seen whether Baldoni will attempt to revive some of his allegations in a revised form or if this chapter has indeed closed for him.
Entertainment: The see-sawing continue in the battle of wills between Baldoni and Lively, with the pendulum swinging decisively in Lively's favor this time.
Type: Trial
Location: USA
Focus: Hollywood, Cinema
[1]: ntv.de, lme/spot
- Trials
- USA
- Hollywood
- Cinema
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive regarding the ongoing legal proceedings between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, with a focus on the domains of entertainment, general-news, and crime-and-justice.
- Despite the ongoing legal battles, celebrity news outlets have been reporting on the case extensively, with some analyzing the potential implications for the entertainment industry in the United States.
