Baldoni’s Defamation Lawsuit Against Lively Dismissed in Court Ruling
In a high-profile celebrity legal dispute that’s captivated Hollywood, a New York judge has officially dismissed Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against co-star Blake Lively, marking a major victory for the It Ends With Us actress.
The ruling came Monday, June 9, 2025, from Judge Lewis Liman, who declared the lawsuit lacked legal merit and labeled Baldoni’s claims as legally baseless.
Background: On-Set Tensions Turned Legal Firestorm
This legal case between Baldoni and Lively stems from tensions during the filming of the anticipated adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel It Ends With Us. Lively played lead character Lily Bloom, while Baldoni acted as both co-star and producer through his Wayfarer Studios.
Back in December 2024, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit, saying she’d been sexually harassed and faced retaliation, according to a big New York Times piece.
Justin Baldoni didn’t take it lying down—he fired back with a $400 million defamation suit, arguing that Lively was out to wreck his reputation and tank their film’s success with a calculated campaign.
His lawsuit also named Ryan Reynolds (Lively’s husband), her publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times.
Judge Liman’s Sharp Rejection of Baldoni’s Legal Arguments
In a sharply worded opinion, Judge Liman dismissed the countersuit, writing:
“The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than those in her lawsuit, which are privileged.”
He further described Lively’s actions as “legally permissible hard bargaining, not extortion.”
Regarding the defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, the judge noted Baldoni failed to prove actual malice, a legal standard for public figures:
“The Times reviewed the available evidence and reported, perhaps in a dramatized manner, what it believed to have happened.”
Lively Responds: “A Total Victory and Complete Vindication”
Following the court ruling, Blake Lively’s legal team released a statement celebrating the outcome:
“A total victory and a complete vindication.”
On Instagram, Lively shared a heartfelt note of solidarity:
“Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit. While the suit against me was defeated, so many don’t have the resources to fight back.”
What’s Next in the Baldoni-Lively Legal Saga?
While this major claim has been dismissed, the legal saga isn’t over. Baldoni has until June 23, 2025 to amend and refile a portion of his complaint focused on alleged interference with contractual agreements.
Notably, Lively recently withdrew two claims against Baldoni related to emotional distress—what her lawyers called a “procedural narrowing” of her case.
Also Read: French TikTok Star AD Laurent Questioned by Lawmakers Over Teen Safety
With a full trial expected in 2026, the legal and reputational fallout from It Ends With Us continues to cast a shadow over the film once heralded as a prestige release.
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