Unveiling the Endgame: Baldoni and Lively's Defamation Saga Concludes, (Sort of)
- Books and Movies
Defendant drops charges in defamation suit filed against him - Lawyer's defamation lawsuit dismissed by the judge
The heat has dissipated in the legal showdown between the power duo of B-town, Blake Lively (37) and Justin Baldoni (41). Serving up a smorgasbord of scandal, this New York court chef has tossed out Baldoni's defamation lawsuit levied against Lively and her charismatic hubby, Ryan Reynolds (48).
According to the tabloids, the honorable Judge Lewis Liman, donning his judicial apron, pinned this decision on Baldoni's inability to substantiate his allegations. Baldoni went for the big bucks, seeking $400 million in damages, an ambitious claim slapped on Lively for alleged defamation following her public accusations of sexual harassment. But alas, Judge Lewis J. Liman has now given the verdict that Lively's statements are legally protected and, consequently, not actionable. Apart from this, the judge also dismissed any claims of blackmail. The only juicy morsel left on the plate is whether Baldoni decides to dish out a revised lawsuit concerning "unjustified contract interference."
It's a celebrate-worthy moment for Lively's legal team, who claimed, "Today's decision marks a complete victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, as well as all those who became entangled in Justin Baldoni's and Wayfarer's retaliatory lawsuit - including Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane, and the 'New York Times.' We will now explore the possibility of seeking reimbursement of legal fees and damages, including punitive damages, against Baldoni and the other parties involved."
Flash back to December 2024, and Lively took the first swing, filing a lawsuit against Baldoni for sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of their collaboration, "Just Once More". Baldoni, under the direction of Wayfarer Studios, allegedly launched an all-out smear campaign against Lively following her complaint.
An "NYT" aside
Baldoni didn't just focus on Lively, as he also took aim at the "New York Times". A comedic twist courtesy of Judge Liman, however, saw the rejection of Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against the newspaper - the reporting was safeguarded under the "Fair Report Privilege". This legal shield prevents potential damage to reputation when media reports on ongoing or filed legal proceedings.
A spokesperson for the newspaper welcomed the ruling: "We are relieved that the court has acknowledged the lawsuit against the 'New York Times' for what it was: a baseless attempt to suppress truthful reporting. Our journalists have reported an important story with confidence and integrity."
Legal Protection
In his scholarly exposition, Judge Liman unveiled that the original charges against Baldoni were made within the context of an official complaint to the California Civil Rights Bureau, thus protected by the "Litigation Privilege". This law creates an immunity for legal statements from becoming subject to defamation lawsuits.
Similarly, Ryan Reynolds' alleged private labeling of Baldoni as a "sexual predator" escaped the defamation claws, as Reynolds merely relied on Lively's testimony. This same protection extends to Lively's PR agent, Leslie Sloane, who, according to the ruling, merely echoed Lively's narrative to the media.
Lively's Response: Round 2 Begins in 2026
A trial for Lively's own lawsuit against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios is set for March 2026. It remains to be seen if Baldoni decides to lay down another legal challenge by then, or if this chapter has truly taken its bow in the courtroom of public opinion.
Players Involved
- Justin Baldoni
- Blake Lively
- Ryan Reynolds
- New York
- New York Times
- US Dollars
- Slander
- For additional context...Intrigued to know more about the backstory of this legal tussle? Here we reveal the essential background and the final verdict of this explosive case:
Origin Story
- Initial Claims: Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni alleging sexual harassment and retaliation during the filming of "Just Once More". Baldoni firmly denied these accusations [1][2].
- Counterclaims: Firing back, Baldoni filed $400 million and $250 million lawsuits against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, Lively's publicist Leslie Sloane, and the "New York Times" respectively, accusing them of defamation, civil extortion, among other charges.
The Verdict
- Dismissed: The verdict handed down by Judge Lewis J. Liman on June 9, 2025 dismissed both of Baldoni's lawsuits [1][2].
- Reason for Dismissal: The court ruled that Baldoni's team had not provided adequate evidence to substantiate the defamation claims. Specifically, the court held that Lively's statements under the litigation privilege and there was no evidence that Reynolds, Sloane, or the "New York Times" acted with disregard for the truth, as is required for proving defamation.
- Second Chance: The judge granted Baldoni's legal team the possibility to potentially amend certain claims related to breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with contract by a June 23 deadline.
- In the realm of entertainment and celebrity news, the defamation suit between Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and Ryan Reynolds has reached a conclusion, at least for now, in the New York court.
- This legal saga, which also involved the New York Times, has seen Judge Lewis Liman rule in favor of Lively, deeming her statements as legally protected and not actionable, and dismissing any claims of blackmail.
