Unfinished Saga: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's Defamation Drama Takes a Turn
Dismisses voided claim of defamation in court - Lawyer's lawsuit for defamation is turned down by the judge
Get the popcorn ready, folks! The legal rollercoaster ride between Blake Lively (37) and Justin Baldoni (41) takes another twist: A New York court has given a verdict on Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against his "Only Once More" co-star and her husband, Ryan Reynolds (48).
Slap that subtitle!
According to sources, Judge Lewis Liman tossed Baldoni's lawsuit, claiming insufficient evidence to back his allegations.
Baldoni had demanded $400 million in damages for defamation after Lively publicly accused him of sexual misconduct. But, in a nutty legal nutcracker twist, Judge Liman firmly stated Lively's statements were covered under legal protection and thus, non-actionable.
Apart from dismissing the defamation lawsuit, Judge Liman also waved goodbye to other accusations such as blackmail. However, there's a tiny catch—Baldoni may try again with a revised lawsuit over "unlawful contract interference."
For Blake Lively's side, this decision is a big win, her legal eagles proclaimed: "June 10, 2025, was a complete triumph and a total vindication for Blake Lively and everyone dragged into Justin Baldoni's poorly planned countersuit—including Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane, and the 'New York Times.' We are now exploring possible recovery of legal fees and damages, including punitive damages, against Baldoni and other parties involved."
Lively had initially slapped Baldoni with a lawsuit in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of the flick "Only Once More." She alleged that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios A-Team (her words, not mine) retaliated after her complaint with a smear campaign.
Bye-bye, New York Times
Baldoni had also targeted the "New York Times" for reporting on the drama, but they were only served a "bye-bye." The judge found no grounds for a defamation lawsuit, as the reporting was shielded under the "Fair Report Privilege."
The New York Times welcomed the judgment: "Whew! We are glad the court recognized the lawsuit against the New York Times for what it was—a lame attempt to shut down honest reporting. Our journalists covered an important tale with care and expertise."
California's got your back
In the judge’s meticulous decision, he explained that Lively's initial accusations against Baldoni were made within the confines of an official complaint to the California Civil Rights Bureau. This means they're protected under the so-called "Litigation Privilege," making them untouchable in defamation lawsuits.
Similarly, Ryan Reynolds' private description of Baldoni as a "predator" (not "sexual" but "predator" – got it?) fell under this protection. The same goes for Lively's PR agent, Leslie Sloane, who immediately chimed in with Lively's perspective when speaking to the media.
Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni to kick off in 2026
A trial for Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios is scheduled for March 2026. We'll have to wait and see whether Baldoni plans to resurrect his allegations or just go ahead and let this chapter fade away.
Justin BaldoniBlake LivelyDefamation LawsuitRyan ReynoldsNew YorkThe New York TimesUS DollarsSlander
Social-media buzzes with reactions as Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal saga continues, while the entertainment world follows the unfolding events with interest. Despite the recent dismissal of Baldoni's defamation lawsuit in New York, celebrities like Lively and Ryan Reynolds are still making headlines in the social and traditional media.
