Joust Between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively: Defamation Brouhaha Brushed Aside
Dropped his defamation lawsuit - Lawyer's defamation claim thrown out in court
Things just got juicier in Hollywood's legal circus as a New York court declared a triumph for Gossip Girl's Blake Lively (37) and Deadpool's Ryan Reynolds (48), with the dismissal of Justin Baldoni's (41) defamation lawsuit. You heard it right! This wild rollercoaster ride began when Baldoni, fellow actor of Lively's film "Just Once More", tried to slap a whopping $400 million lawsuit on her for alleged defamation. But the judge, Lewis Liman, dropped the hammer down, dismissing it all for lack of substantial evidence supporting his claims.
Initially, Baldoni cried foul with accusations of defamation, alleging that Lively publicly branded him a harasser. However, the court ruled Lively's statements innocent under the law and therefore untouchable. The court also dealt an blow to other allegations against Baldoni, such as blackmail. One small niggle remains, though: the possibility of Baldoni re-filing with revisions concerning "unjustified contractual interference."
For Blake Lively, this decision is a sweet victory as her legal eagles gleefully proclaimed, "This decision is our total triumph and complete vindication for Blake Lively, in addition to all those sucked into Baldoni's spiteful lawsuit - including Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane, and the 'New York Times.' We will now go for the jugular, seeking compensation for legal fees and damages, including punitive damages, against Baldoni and his associates."
Back in December 2024, Lively threw the first punch with her lawsuit against Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of "Just Once More." She accused Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and the gang of launching a smear campaign post her complaint.
Defamation Run-in with the "New York Times"
Baldoni also soured his relationship with the venerable "New York Times" by suing them for reporting on this feud. However, the judge paid no attention to this lawsuit either, citing the so-called "Fair Report Privilege." This legal shield allows media to narrate legal happenings without fretting about reputation damage.
A representative for the paper cheered the verdict, stating, "We are relieved that the court recognized Baldoni's lawsuit against the 'New York Times' for what it truly was: a desperate ploy to silence honest journalism. Our journalists dove into this tale with care and fairness."
Safety under California Tonic
Judge Liman's ruling particularly shielded Lively's statements under the "Litigation Privilege," a legal umbrella that keeps legal discussions safe from defamation suits. Similarly, Reynolds' and publicist Leslie Sloane's assertions were protected as they relied on Lively's account.
The grand trial for Lively's allegations against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios is scheduled for March 2026. We'll see if Baldoni attempts another run at this game or calls it a wrap.
- Headliners: Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, New York Times
- Legal Fling: Defamation Lawsuit
- Glamorous Gladiators: US Dollars, Slander
Essential Insight:
A defamation lawsuit hurled by Justin Baldoni, a key player of the film It Ends With Us, against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times came to a close with Judge Lewis J. Liman's dismissal in June 2025[1][2][3]. Lively's allegations fell under the 'Litigation Privilege', making them untouchable. Baldoni's team failed to demonstrate falsehoods or overreach from the other defendants to meet defamation liability standards[2][3].
[1] "Justin Baldoni Drops Defamation Lawsuit Against Blake Lively and 'New York Times'" - Variety: https://variety.com/2025/biz/news/justin-baldoni-drops-defamation-lawsuit-against-blake-lively-nytimes-1235396065/
[2] "Judge Dismisses Justin Baldoni's Lawsuit Against Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, The New York Times, and Leslie Sloane" – Deadline: https://deadline.com/2025/06/justin-baldoni-defamation-lawsuit-dismissed-ryan-reynolds-blake-lively-new-york-times-1235372781/
[3] "Justin Baldoni's Defamation Suit Against Blake Lively and New York Times Dismissed" – The Hollywood Reporter: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/justin-baldoni-defamation-suit-against-blake-lively-new-york-times-dismissed-1235380207/
- This spiral of defamation claims among celebrities like Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and Ryan Reynolds has added another chapter to the complex tapestry of entertainment and pop-culture, keeping fans and the media captivated.
- Despite the dismissal of Justin Baldoni's defamation lawsuit, the ongoing legal battle between him and Blake Lively suggests that this dispute might not end in just one more time, continuing to shape the reputation of both parties in the realm of Hollywood and beyond.
